SINTOK, 4 August 2026 – Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) has set its sights on a four-gold medal tally at the upcoming 46th Malaysian Inter-University Sports Championship (SUKUM), scheduled to take place at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Terengganu, from 6 to 15 August.
The official target was announced by UUM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Ahmad Martadha Mohamed, during the UUM Contingent Flag Handover Ceremony held today at the Cultural and Arts Centre (PBS) Hall.
During the ceremony, Prof. Ahmad Martadha presented the contingent flag to Head of Contingent, Mr. Mohd Zulkifli Mohd Noor who is performing the duties of UUM Registrar, symbolising the university’s trust and support for the athletes representing UUM at the biennial games.
In his officiating address, Prof. Ahmad Martadha emphasised that competing in SUKUM extends far beyond the pursuit of medals; it serves as a crucial platform to nurture a healthy, competitive, disciplined, and sports-minded university community.
“I hope to see more members of our university community, particularly the younger generation, step forward and participate in sports activities to sustain UUM’s legacy of athletic excellence. A balanced blend of veteran experience and youthful energy is vital to strengthening our sports ecosystem,” he said.
He further noted that age should never be a barrier to achievement. “Many athletes have proven that age is merely a number. What truly defines success is determination, commitment, and the confidence to keep striving,” he added.
Drawing inspiration from the relentless grit of national track cyclist Dato’ Azizulhasni Awang, Prof. Ahmad Martadha urged athletes to cultivate unyielding mental fortitude, pointing out that athletic success hinges as much on psychological resilience, discipline, and self-belief as it does on physical prowess.
“Never concede defeat before stepping into the arena, and never say you are incapable before you try. Enter the competition with supreme confidence and an unwavering fighting spirit—because true victory begins in the mind,” he advised.
For this edition, UUM aims to secure its four-gold target across four key disciplines: futsal, badminton, tennis, and golf. In total, the university will compete in 12 of the 19 contested events, including badminton, tennis, sepak takraw, chess, golf, tenpin bowling, netball, football, volleyball, petanque, archery, and futsal.
Echoing these sentiments, Director of the UUM Sports Centre, Dr. Nasiruddin Haron, expressed optimism that the selected athletes would channel the proud “Biru Warna UUM” spirit, compete with utmost discipline, and translate their preparation into podium finishes across all 12 events.
Sharing the athlete perspective, UUM badminton player Mr. Mohd Puad Mhd Nor acknowledged that bearing the university’s banner carries great responsibility, but noted that he and his teammates view it as motivation to perform at their absolute best.
The ceremony concluded with an oath-taking pledge led by Mr. Mohamad Anas Jaafar, marking the contingent’s collective promise to compete with integrity, discipline, and sportsmanship.
The 140-strong UUM delegation comprises 127 athletes (97 men and 30 women) and 13 official team managers and coaches, all united in their mission to realise the university’s four-gold target at SUKUM 2026.
