JOHOR BAHRU, 29 January 2015 – UTM was the host venue for the recent 2016 Sukan Institusi Pendidikan Tinggi (SUKIPT) or Institution of Higher Learning Games.
The Minister of Higher Education Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, at the opening ceremony said that 60 percent of medals won in the 2015 SEA Games were mostly contributed by higher learning institution athletes, making SUKIPT an important event in producing outstanding Malaysian athletes.
SUKIPT 2016 saw the participation of over 8,000 athletes from 102 public and private universities throughout Malaysia. The games also saw the involvement of 1,200 volunteers whose support was crucial in ensuring the smooth running of the event.
The Games offered 245 gold medals, 245 silver and 351 bronze medals up which were up for grabs in competitions involving 25 sports such as badminton, tennis, bowling, volleyball, taekwondo, fencing, athletics and table tennis
What was unique about the 2016 SUKIPT was the inclusion of two new elements, namely the addition of a category specifically for disabled athletes (Paralympic) and also the participation of five ASEAN countries involving Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia, Singapore and Laos.
Also present at the opening ceremony were the Secretary General of the Ministry of Higher Education, Datuk Seri Ir. Dr. Zaini Ujang and UTM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ir. Datuk Dr. Wahid Omar and Chief Excecutif Officer of SUKIPT En. Hazally Jali.
