International students from the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology stole the limelight in a Students Sports Festival at Sunway on Friday, July 17, 2009.

They bagged Gold medals in two events, the female 3-on-3 basketball and the male tug of war, and a Bronze Medal in the male 3-on-3 basketball league.

The games were part of the Annual International Students Carnival 2009 organized by the Higher Education Ministry in collaboration with Sunway University College.

“Sporting festivities attract public attention and they are good avenues for international students to show their talents,” said Dr Hou Kok Chung, the Deputy Higher Education Minister who launched the event.

“3-on-3 basketball is a popular sport in Malaysia and we hope that we can achieve some success on the international stage soon.”

The festival, which involved more than 1,500 international students from more than 60 countries, was organised to enhance good relationships between local students and foreigners.

“The local universities sometimes are too focused on their academic priorities,” Dr Hou added. “Sporting festivals are a good reminder of the importance of sports.”

The 3-on-3 female basketball team from Limkokwing was represented by Karol Kakazi(Uganda), Fatima Sadat Aghamiri(Iran), Arafa Ibrahim(Tanzania), Esther Motaibedi(Botswana), Lorato Marope(Botswana) and Nelly Dikhatholo(Botswana).

Team Captain Karol Kakasi said: “The games were really fun. I have always wanted to compete in a sport event.” Kakazi is pursuing her degree in Business and Information Technology at the University. “It felt terrific to compete against other nationalities, and I am looking forward to another international competition.”