USM-PENANG INTERNATIONAL HOCKEY FESTIVAL 2025 SHOWCASES ASIA-PACIFIC’S LARGEST HOCKEY TOURNAMENT

USM PENANG, 20 December 2025 - The 48th USM-Penang International Hockey Festival (PHI) 2025, organised by the Hockey Festival Secretariat, which is comprised entirely of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) students under the guidance and supervision of the USM Sports and Recreation Centre, is currently underway at USM main campus in Penang.

The two-day tournament runs from 20-21 December 2025, with matches held at Padang Minden and the USM Hockey Stadium.

Recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records as the largest hockey tournament in the Asia-Pacific region, PHI continues to attract strong participation even in its 48th edition.

This year, 142 teams have confirmed their participation across 10 categories, including youth, veteran, and premier divisions, with approximately 2,000 participants competing in 242 matches.

Key Highlights of PHI 2025:

• Prestige and Scale: PHI is Asia-Pacific's largest hockey tournament, with a target of up to 250 local and international teams.
• Youth Development: Categories for Under-12, Under-15, and Under-18 (boys and girls) feature 77 teams, ensuring a pipeline of new talent.
• International Participation: Teams from across Malaysia and the Asia-Pacific region, including Indonesia's Veteran Men's team, highlight the event's global appeal.
• Student Leadership: The festival is managed by 179 USM student volunteers, led by Project Director Runeshwaran A/L Arunasalam, under the supervision of the USM Sports and Recreation Centre.
• Major Divisions: Premier League, Classic Men's Open, and Classic Women's Open headline the competition.

Since its inception in 1973, the USM-Penang International Hockey Festival (PHI) has grown from strength to strength, evolving into more than just a hockey tournament. It has become USM's flagship international event.

Today, PHI stands as a dynamic platform for cultural and sporting exchange between local and international athletes, while driving holistic youth development that nurtures discipline, teamwork, and leadership.

It also empowers students, with USM undergraduates taking active roles in organising this large-scale international event, in line with the university's aspiration to produce graduands under the HEBAT agenda - Holistic, Entrepreneurial, Balanced, Articulate, and Thinking graduates who are ready to excel globally.

This further demonstrates the university's commitment to entrusting students with the organisation of large-scale events.

USM gratefully acknowledges the Malaysia Hockey Federation, the Penang State Hockey Association, and the Ministry of Education for their steadfast support and close collaboration, which have played a pivotal role in elevating the USM-Penang International Hockey Festival to its current stature.

USM is deeply thankful to Nestlé (Malaysia) Berhad, the festival's principal sponsor, for its continuous commitment over the years, and to other valued partners such as Edaran Otomobil Nasional Berhad, whose enduring contributions have been instrumental in ensuring the tournament's ongoing success.

The closing and prize-giving ceremony is scheduled to take place on 21 December 2025 (Sunday), beginning at 4.30 p.m. at the USM Hockey Stadium.

It will be graced by the USM Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Student Development Affairs and Alumni, Professor Dr. Wan Ahmad Jaafar Wan Yahaya, who will represent the USM Vice-Chancellor.

Text: Tan Ewe Hoe