Cheers from youth, the pounding of feet on the field, and the buzz of e-sports filled the air at Kampung Seri Tiram Jaya as over 1,000 young people gathered for the 10th edition of Kejohanan Sukan Rakyat (KASURA), in conjunction with this year’s Malaysia Day celebrations.
More than just a sports tournament, the vibrant event held from 12 to 14 September became a symbol of rural community strength and the patriotic spirit deeply rooted in the hearts of Malaysia’s younger generation.
Youth participants aged 16 and above from 15 villages across Tanjung Karang took part in 12 competitions, including Mobile Legends e-sports, sepak takraw, football, futsal, volleyball, netball, and petanque.
Winners did not go home empty-handed, as each category came with cash prizes.
First held in 2009, KASURA has since grown into an important grassroots movement for rural unity. From its modest beginnings with only seven events, the tournament has now expanded to 12, a reflection of growing interest among youth.
More than just a stage for competition, KASURA has become a symbol of togetherness, cooperation, and love for the country, in line with the aspirations of Malaysia Day.
Mohd Yahya Mat Sahri, the Permatang constituency coordinator and organiser, said the tournament was a platform to build leadership and develop more than just local champions.
Malaysia Day represents unity and the strength of the people. Given this year’s event, we aim to engage and empower village youth through sports. They’re not just here to compete, but also trained to plan, manage and lead their teams.
“This is how we shape future community leaders and nurture athletes who could bring pride to Malaysia,” said Mohd Yahya, better known as Pak Ya.
One of the standout events was the Mobile Legends tournament, which attracted 60 participants. Its popularity underscored how modern sports can complement tradition, making this event more relatable to today’s youth.
Since its first edition, Kampung Seri Tiram Jaya, KASURA has become a much-anticipated annual event.
The rotating host village format has added a unique flavour to each year’s edition, from Kampung Sungai Gulang-Gulang (2010) to Kampung Bukit Belimbing (2011), and most recently, Kampung Bestari Jaya/UNISEL (2024), before returning to Seri Tiram Jaya this year.
However, challenges remain. A lack of basic facilities such as football fields, futsal pitches, and courts for various sports continues to be an issue.
To address this, Yahya, through the Permatang constituency service centre, has submitted a request for funding from the Selangor state government to ensure the tournament’s sustainability.
We want to send a clear message that sports are a bridge to unity. KASURA proves that village youth can compete and contribute to the country.
“With support from the state government for basic facilities, I believe more community sports events can be held during future Merdeka and Malaysia Day celebrations,” he added.
Coinciding with the Malaysia Day celebration, the tournament once again showed how community sports can unite rural communities while also serving as a launchpad for new talent to be developed at the state and national level.
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