SPORTS became a meeting ground for athletes of different abilities at Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) in Kuala Lumpur.
The Inclusive Futsal event brought together athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) from Special Olympics Malaysia (SOM), who played alongside TAR UMT students, family members and youth volunteers.
It was the first initiative under a partnership formalised through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the university and SOM.
Unified Futsal Games is part of a collaboration between Lions Clubs International Foundation and Special Olympics International to encourage greater inclusion through sport.
Under the concept, athletes with and without disabilities train and compete alongside one another, encouraging teamwork and mutual understanding.
At the signing, TAR UMT vice-president Assoc Prof Dr Chook Ka Joo said the collaboration reflected the university’s belief that learning should extend beyond classrooms.
He said participating students would be able to gain practical experience while strengthening their communication, leadership and teamwork skills.
They also learned to work with people from different backgrounds and developed qualities such as empathy and social responsibility.
“This initiative reflects our shared vision of creating an inclusive sporting environment where athletes with disabilities, student volunteers and the community can learn from one another,” he added. Chook said the partnership would also provide experiential learning opportunities for students pursuing sports and exercise-related programmes.
TAR UMT president Prof Datuk Dr Lee Sze Wei said students could also benefit from internships, scholarships and corporate social responsibility experiences under the partnership.
SOM president Bong Koi Sin said the agreement marked an important step towards creating equal opportunities for people with disabilities to participate, contribute and achieve their potential.
He said universities played an important role in shaping future leaders who understood the need for diversity.
“This partnership represents a shared vision of a society where everyone is valued and included.
“Together with TAR UMT, we are investing in young people, creating opportunities for our athletes and building a future where inclusion is practised every day.”
Bong said the collaboration could be expanded into education, volunteer development, research, community engagement and sporting programmes for people with IDD.
He said SOM provided year-round training and competitions rather than limiting athletes’ participation to occasional sporting events.
Such regular involvement helped them remain active and build confidence, he added.
SOM national director Connie Yee said Unified Sports helped participants break down social barriers.
She said the partnership would give young people more opportunities to learn to appreciate diversity.
