The 2025 Bersatu Games kick off on 1 July at venues across the University and Dunedin. Pictured is the organising council, from left, Johann Eris, Rachel S'ng, Sofea Harris Wong, Diana Rozaini, Sofea Haizal, Aletheia Goh, Abraham Siaw, and Adam Aizal.
A 300-strong group of Malaysian students and supporters from across Aotearoa will converge in Dunedin on 1 July for a week-long sporting and cultural extravaganza.
Hosted by OUSA-affiliated club Otago Malaysian Students’ Association (OMSA), the annual Bersatu Games will see six contingents from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Otago compete across 10 sports and five activities.
Third-year Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts student, and 2025 Bersatu Games Council Director, Sofea Haizal says the games have been a fixture on Aotearoa-based Malaysian students calendars since the 1960s.
“There have been different variations of the Games over the years, but it started as a way to get Malaysians together and explore the country they came to study in. Bersatu means to unite in Malay.”
Each year the responsibility of hosting the Games rotates among different contingents located in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Otago, Sofea says.
“The last time OMSA hosted was in 2021, when we still had some Covid restrictions. This is the first time the Games have been held in the South Island post the lifting of restrictions.”
The 2025 Games are sponsored by the Malaysian Ministry of Education and Education Malaysia New Zealand, with support from the University, Dunedin City Council, Downer and a host of local business and private supporters.
The opening ceremony, on 1 July, will be attended by High Commissioner of Malaysia to New Zealand Her Excellency Marzita Marzuki and Otago College of Education Dean Professor Vivienne Anderson.
The ceremony will feature elements of both Malaysian and Aotearoa culture, a contingent showcase, and entries from the video competition - one of the five activities of the Games.
“The contingents will do a cheer showcase for their slogans and a runway walk to show off their jerseys, which they design themselves. It brings up the hype and competitiveness of the Games,” Sofea says.
The Games are organised with the MADANI values at its core, a value system introduced by the administration of the 10th Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim, covering the values of sustainability, prosperity, innovation, respect, trust and compassion.
“Malaysia is a multicultural country, and we took that into consideration to make the Games as diverse and welcoming as possible.
“The MADANI values also align with tikanga Māori values kaitiakitanga, manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, kohakitanga and aroha, acknowledging the importance of both countries’ cultures.”
A key highlight of the Games is the carnival, held on Sunday, 6 July at the University Union Common Room.
Third-year Bachelor of Arts student and Games Council Secretary Aletheia Goh is part of the committee organising the carnival.
The 2025 Bersatu Games Cultural Carnival invites everyone to experience the cultural richness of Malaysia in a festive setting. The team behind the carnival, from left, Atiqah Nordin, Hanis Izni Fauzi, Raihanah Rahman, Nik Amin, Diana Rozaini, Anis Amran, Nusaibah Nasir, Aletheia Goh, and Dayana Syukor.
“Her Excellency Ms. Marzita Marzuki started the tradition of the carnival in 2023, and this is the first time OMSA will be hosting it,” Aletheia says.
A lively, family friendly, interactive event, the carnival will be a showcase of Malaysian culture, talent and cuisine, open to the public.
“The run-up to the carnival, with all the sporting activities, is going to be a very competitive week for the contingents. The carnival gives them an opportunity to unwind and socialise in a festive and relaxed atmosphere.”
A lot has gone on behind the scenes to make the Games and the carnival a reality, from booking venues and vendors to offering travel, food, and accommodation support when required, Aletheia says.
“We’re working with a small team of 10 for the Games and six for the carnival.
“There is a lot to consider while organising an event for 300 people. Keeping the MADANI values in mind acts as a check on our organising, giving us good boundaries in our decision making.”
This year’s OMSA contingent is really looking forward to the Games, with an eye to becoming the overall champions, Aletheia says.
“We have 10 different sports like badminton, track and field, ping pong, football, netball, frisbee, and more, with men’s, women’s, and mixed teams spread across.
“For this year’s Games, we’ve introduced dodgeball, which we think will be lots of fun.
“The sporting teams and their captains have been training hard for the past three months.”
At the 2024 Games in Auckland, OMSA brought home gold in three categories, silver in three, and bronze in four.
“Otago is usually the smallest contingent to participate, but we do quite well. This year we’re not the smallest, and we’re hoping to win overall champions with the home advantage.”
~ Kōrero by Sandra French, Adviser, Internal Communications.
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