THE Malaysian Educational Institutions’ Games (Sipma) is a valuable opportunity for students from higher learning institutions to showcase their talent in sports.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said Sipma, a biennial event, was also held to discover talent and provide more competitive opportunities for students, increase national integration and grow cooperation among education agencies through sports.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 9th Sipma at Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI) Stadium in Tanjung Malim, Perak on Tuesday, she said the games provided an arena for students to display their talent and skills in sports.
“Healthy and vast competition has unearthed talented athletes on the international stage, such as national sprinters Khairul Hafiz Jantan and Muhammad Aqil Yasmin, as well as swimmers Welson Sim and Tia’a Faang Der.
“Sipma continues to be a platform to gather the best athletes from institutions of higher learning and the Education Ministry, as the teams competing will surely register their best athletes,” she said.
Fadhlina added that Sipma was the only national-level sporting event for educational institutions which is conducted every two years by the Education Ministry and Higher Education Ministry.
The theme for the ongoing ninth edition, she said, was Sipma A Catalyst for National Unity, a clarion call reflecting the Madani government’s aspirations for unity.
“Sipma assembles a group of university students from all corners of the country — from Perlis to Sabah — and brings together students from all backgrounds and ethnicities.
“A gathering as large as this will certainly provide students with the best opportunity to interact with students from other states, districts and of various races.
“If there was any sort of wall of ignorance between them due to race, origin or culture, [Sipma] is the best platform to break these walls down.”
Fadhlina said Sipma was also in line with Malaysia Madani’s basic framework, focusing on wellbeing and creating a balanced life which in turn builds a healthy society.
Sipma is also in line with the National Sports Vision, which outlines the two key roles of higher education institutions — to encourage students’ active participation in sporting activities and to provide learning opportunities for athletes from higher education institutions.
Both roles, she added, were vital in providing guidance to coordinate balance and continuity of academic performance and sports achievements at these institutions.
“In this regard, the Education Ministry plays a specific role to ensure that students are active in sports while also having their welfare taken care of without neglecting their academic development.
“The same role is shared among all departments within the ministry, according to their target audience.”
In her speech, Fadhliina also urged all sports councils to play a proactive role in producing new talents that are intellectually and athletically balanced.
This, she added, would indirectly strengthen the quality and standard of the country’s education system.
“I believe that the Malaysian Institutes of Teacher Education (IPGM), as leaders in the ninth edition of Sipma, will ensure that this sporting event goes on successfully.”
Sipma, which started in 2005, is organised in collaboration with eight sports councils, namely Majlis Sukan Institut Pendidikan Guru Malaysia (MSIPGM), Malaysia University Sports Council (Masum), Majlis Sukan Sekolah Malaysia (MSSM), Majlis Sukan Institusi Pengajian Tinggi Swasta (Masiswa), Majlis Sukan Kolej Komuniti Malaysia (Maskom), Majlis Sukan Politeknik Malaysia (MSPM), Majlis Sukan Matrikulasi Malaysia (MSMM), and Majlis Sukan Kolej Vokasional (Maskov).
It was previously held in Negri Sembilan, Kedah, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Perlis, Pahang, and Selangor.
The ninth edition of the games, running from Sept 10 to 16, sees students competing in eight sporting events — football, netball, badminton, athletics, swimming, tenpin bowling, hockey. and volleyball.
All competitions are being held in venues around UPSI.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
