A total of 48 participants, including lecturers, non-teaching staff, and retirees, took part in a Tennis Tournament on Saturday (Nov. 9) at UGM’s Outdoor Tennis Court in Lembah to celebrate Universitas Gadjah Mada’s 75th Anniversary and its 15th Lustrum.
For this tournament, participants were divided into four teams based on their skill level: the Wisdom Park team, the GSP team, the Balairung team, and the Boulevard team.
In his opening speech, Professor Wahyudi Kumorotomo, Secretary of the UGM Board of Professors representing the university leadership, emphasized that the purpose of the tennis tournament was not to compete but to strengthen friendships and connections among lecturers and staff who share a passion for sports.
“Since our daily work schedules are packed with numerous activities, this tennis event provides a great opportunity for us to socialize outside of our routine tasks and, of course, helps us maintain our health,” Professor Kumorotomo remarked.
According to this Public Policy Management lecturer at UGM’s Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (Fisipol UGM), such sports events provide an opportunity to hone skills and improve communication among tennis enthusiasts.
“This is an internal match, a friendly gathering, a joint practice. Feel free to show your powerful serves and even throw in some good-natured teasing, but let’s stay happy and healthy,” the board secretary said jokingly.
In agreement with Professor Kumorotomo, Dr. Asikin Nur, the organizing committee chair for this event, also emphasized that the primary goal was to foster closer relationships and maintain physical health.
“This is not really a competition but rather a tennis match for fun; perhaps that’s more accurate. Achieving results is not the main goal—staying healthy and happy while enjoying tennis at UGM is,” he explained.
The annual tournament, held as part of the UGM Anniversary celebrations, was well-received by the lecturers, staff, and retirees in attendance.
One of the participants, Professor Mudrajad Kuncoro, expressed his delight at the opportunity to meet and socialize.
“Winning or losing doesn’t matter. What’s important is friendship, staying healthy, and happiness,” Professor Kuncoro noted.
For the professor from UGM’s Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB UGM), tennis is a sport that can be enjoyed regardless of age, allowing him to connect with fellow lecturers and staff within UGM.
Wahyuningsih, one of the female participants in the tournament, shared her motivation to participate in this event, aiming to strengthen friendships among UGM employees.
“I am proud that UGM values both staff and lecturers, bringing everyone together for this friendly tournament,” said Ning, as she is fondly known.
The Chair of UGM Tennis Club officially opened the tournament, Professor Kuncoro Harto Widodo, who symbolically hit a tennis ball toward the center of the court.
The Boulevard team won the one-day tournament, with the Wisdom Park team taking second place. The GSP and Balairung teams secured third and fourth places, respectively.
Author: Hanif
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya