UQ international students go for gold

National pride will be on the line this month as UQ international students compete at the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) University Games from September 27.

The five-day competition will see students from multiple nationalities participate in soccer, netball, athletics and other team sports.

President of UQ Singapore Students Society Firdaus D’Cruz said the games were a great way for international students across universities to participate in a friendly sporting environment.

“At no other university event do you get people from different nations interacting together and getting to know each other on a scale like this,” Mr D’Cruz said.

It won’t be all about sport however, with a battle of the bands competition, international movie screenings and a cultural and food festival lightening the mood and providing a unique atmosphere for students.

“The games enhance international relationships between participating nationalities and provide a starting point for more ambitious multicultural events,” Mr D’Cruz said.

With more than 350 athletes involved, participants and spectators can expect to see some international rivalry, with students competing between nationalities rather than universities.

The games will officially open at a ceremony held in Holland Park on Sunday, September 27, with a gala dinner taking place at the Stamford Plaza Hotel on October 1.

Media: Firdaus D’Cruz, UQ Singapore Students Society (0447442740, uq.singapore@gmail.com) or Trudi Saul at UQ Communications (trudi.saul@uqconnect.edu.au)