by Muhammad Norafni bin Alias,

Secretariat of Culture and Arts,
Kolej Tan Sri Mustaffa Babjee (KMB) 2024/2025 session

SURAK 3.0: A Platform for Unity Through Traditional Games

SERDANG, 15 January 2025 – The Secretariat of Culture and Arts, Kolej Tan Sri Mustaffa Babjee (KMB), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), organized the Sukan Rakyat (SURAK) Piala Tan Sri Mustaffa Babjee 3.0. The event took place on 12 January 2025 at Kolej Tan Sri Mustaffa Babjee with the participation of 151 KMB students and support from the College’s management and Kesatuan Mahasiswa. The participants were divided into 58 players representing KMB and 93 members of the organizing committee.

This program is an annual inter-college event and continues from the two previous editions. Its purpose is to promote and strengthen the cultural heritage of traditional games among youth at UPM, while fostering a spirit of sportsmanship, healthy competition, and strong unity among ethnic groups. For this edition, 12 events were contested, including Congkak, Colek Lidi, Tuju Tin, Tug of War, Guli Duo, Dam Aji, Arm Wrestling, Kabaddi, Galah Panjang, Sepak Takraw, and two new events: Batu Seremban and Ceper. Nine residential colleges participated in this annual inter-college event.

SURAK 3.0 began with a Senam Seni session led by several members of Arustika Putrasakti after the registration session. At 9:05 a.m., all the competing events for SURAK 3.0 began simultaneously. SURAK 3.0 then took a short break and was entertained with a musical performance by Venessa Ann and Ng Yu Kuan, who are also finalists that will be representing KMB for Senada Putra 17 in this upcoming May. SURAK 3.0 was also made more vibrant by food and drink sales from 11 food truck vendors, which became one of the main attractions for visitors. The food and drink options included are Takoyaki, kebab, Char Kuey Teow, Pisang Cheese, and many others. SURAK 3.0 received an afternoon tea and dessert contribution from the national artistic gymnastics athlete, Mr. Sharul Aimy Kamaru Hisam.  

The Congkak event that took place during the morning session

The men’s Tug of War that took place during the evening session

Selection of food truck available during SURAK 3.0

The closing ceremony of SURAK 3.0 was officiated by YBrs. Prof. Madya Dr. Amini Amir bin Abdullah, Chairman of the Board of Residential College Principals, Universiti Putra Malaysia, alongside the invited guest, YBrs. Prof. Madya Dr. Nurul Hayah binti Khairuddin, Principal of Tan Sri Mustaffa Babjee College. Also present were Dr. Mohd Hakiman bin Awang @ Mansor, Principal of Pendeta Za’ba College, along with administrative officers, fellows, and the presidents of residential colleges at Universiti Putra Malaysia. The ceremony witnessed the presentation of appreciation hampers to each college and medals to the winners of the events that were contested. SURAK 3.0 saw Kolej Dua Belas (K12) clinching the Overall Champion title and taking home the round cup after successfully accumulating the highest cumulative points from their participation in the various events.

College 12 as the overall champion of SURAK 3.0

The Closing Cermony of Sukan Rakyat (SURAK) Piala Tan Sri Mustaffa Babjee 3.0

The director, second-year student of Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Community Health with Honours, Saudara Muhammad Norafni bin Alias, said, "Sukan Rakyat (SURAK) Tan Sri Mustaffa Babjee 3.0 has had a significant impact in strengthening the empowerment of traditional game heritage among students at UPM. In addition, this program also fosters a love for the cultural heritage of the country and promotes healthy competition among students."

A heartfelt thank you is extended to all participants and everyone involved, both directly and indirectly, in making the Sukan Rakyat (SURAK) Tan Sri Mustaffa Babjee 3.0 (SURAK) a success. It is hoped that this program will ignite interest and a love for the nation's culture and traditions, while making traditional and rural games a means of unity within the community. May the efforts of SURAK continue in the future.

Date of Input: 12/02/2025 | Updated: 12/02/2025 | s_syazana