SINTOK, 20 July 2026: Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) is poised to further strengthen its position in the regional sports arena with plans to organise the ASEAN-Level University Golf Championship, that will bring together university golf athletes from higher education institutions across Southeast Asia.
UUM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Ahmad Martadha Mohamed, said the championship, to be organised by the UUM National Golf Academy (AGN), is tentatively scheduled for the middle of next year at the Sultan Sallehuddin Golf Club, UUM.
According to him, the championship will address the competitive gap arising from the FISU World University Golf Championship, which is held only once every two years.
“UUM will send two teams comprising eight golf athletes to compete in the Bangkok 2026 FISU World University Golf Championship at Windsor Park & Golf Club, Thailand, from 11 to 14 November.
“Currently, 12 AGN golf athletes are ranked among the world’s top 5,000 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), placing them among Malaysia’s top 55 amateur golfers,” he said during a visit by the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE), Datuk Ts. Dr. Aminuddin Hassim, to the academy this morning.
The visit formed part of the Ministry Development Action Committee (JTPK) Meeting held at the UUM EDC. The meeting was attended by vice-chancellors of public universities, representatives of the Ministry of Finance (MOF), the Economic Planning Unit (EPU), the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU), the Public Works Department (JKR), the Department of Irrigation and Drainage Department (JPS), UCAS as well as senior officials from MoHE.
Also present were the Deputy Secretary-General (Management and Development) of MoHE, Datuk Ts. Dr. Mohd Nor Azman Hassan; Chairman of the UUM Board of Directors, Tan Sri Dr. Mazlan Yusoff; Director of the UUM Golf Academy (AGN), Associate Professor Dr. Zaheruddin Othman; Registrar, Mr. Mohd Zulkifli Mohd Noor; Director of the Chancellery, Mr. Muhammad Iskandar Zulkarnain Muhammad Suhaimi; and MoHE Sports Executive, Mr. Norizan Md. Isa.
Meanwhile, Professor Ahmad Martadha appealed for additional allocations from MoHE to further strengthen the University’s golf development programme, particularly in nurturing athletes capable of competing on the international level. Among the proposed initiatives are the upgrading of intensive training facilities and the acquisition of advanced training technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based systems.
“We are confident that Sintok has the potential to attract dozens of promising golf athletes, as many of the country’s top young talents are increasingly choosing UUM as a training destination. This initiative will not only enhance the standard of their game but also provide them with the opportunity to earn a diploma or degree while pursuing their sporting aspirations.
“Developing a professional golfer requires substantial financial investment, including the engagement of specialist coaches in the areas such as fitness and sports psychology, tournament participation fees, travel expenses and golf equipment,” he said.
According to international benchmarks, the annual cost of developing a golf athlete is estimated at approximately RM1 million in the United States, RM700,000 in Europe, RM300,000 in Thailand and around RM250,000 in Malaysia.
Currently, UUM’s men’s golf team boasts four players ranked among the nation’s top golfers, namely Mr. Hariz Hezri, Mr. Zia Iqmal Abd Rashid, Mr. Farez Azihan and Mr. Mohamad Danish Mohamad Rizal, all of whom are jointly ranked fourth nationally. In the women’s category, Ms. Charlayne Chong Shin Ling, is ranked fourth in Malaysia, followed by Ms. Nur Maisarah Saad (26th place) and Ms. Nurul Syahirah Nasir (40th place).
