JAMBI, Indonesia — The annual sports festival known as Sukan Jambi came to a close on Sunday, June 14, 2026, in a ceremony that underscored the growing bonds among international students in the province.
The event, held at the Doctoral Promotion Hall of UIN Sulthan Thaha Saifuddin Jambi, drew representatives from the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta, university officials, and students from Malaysia and Thailand.
Among the guests were Puan Shafieza binti Md. Fadzil, Education Attaché at the Malaysian Embassy, and Ririn Suhirta, who oversees student affairs and alumni relations. UIN STS Jambi was represented by Dr. Dion Ginanto, coordinator of the university’s Center for International Services and Cooperation.
Sukan Jambi, organized annually by the Persatuan Kebangsaan Pelajar Malaysia di Indonesia (PKPMI), combines traditional and modern sports competitions. It has become a fixture of student life in Jambi, offering not only athletic contests but also a platform for cultural exchange and camaraderie.
The closing ceremony began with remarks from the organizing committee chair, Nur Sarieza, followed by a message of support from Dr. Ginanto. In her address, Puan Shafieza expressed gratitude to the university for hosting the festival and formally declared the 2026 edition closed. The speeches were punctuated by a lively exchange of pantun—traditional Malay rhymes—between the organizers, university representatives, and embassy officials.
The evening concluded with photographs and the awarding of prizes to competition winners.
“We are deeply grateful to UIN STS Jambi for facilitating this event,” said Puan Shafieza. “We are proud of the international students, especially those from Malaysia, who have consistently organized Sukan Jambi. This festival is vital for nurturing friendships across borders.”
Dr. Ginanto echoed the sentiment, praising PKPMI’s role in sustaining the tradition. “Sukan Jambi is the seedbed for athletes who later compete in broader events such as PKM or the Ambassador’s Cup, held annually,” he said.
For many of the students, the festival was more than a competition. It was a reminder of the ties that bind them across cultures and nations, and of the role sports can play in diplomacy at the grassroots level.