On 15 February 2025, the University of Warwick came alive with excitement as the Warwick Malaysian Students Association (WMSA) hosted the highly anticipated Warwick SEA Games 2025. This event was more than just another sports tournament, it was a celebration of community, camaraderie and the vibrant spirit of Southeast Asian students across the United Kingdom. Drawing 817 participants from across 40 universities and supported by more than 60 dedicated committee members, the SEA Games welcomed over 1000 attendees, eager to strive for their teams’ success or supporting their peers.
The event’s primary goal was to bring together Southeast Asians, more specifically Malaysian students through sports with an aim to foster new friendships, strengthen old bonds and encourage an active lifestyle. The University of Warwick’s campus transformed into a bustling arena, with matches and activities unfolding within Warwick’s Sports and Wellness Hub. The event featured 10 different sports spanning from basketball, frisbee, badminton and netball – offering something for everyone. The day began with an early morning registration to welcome attendees and players, followed by back-to-back matches and ended on a high note with the awards ceremony. The atmosphere was lively and filled with excitement from start to finish, reflecting the event’s success in achieving its vision.
Warwick netball team in the finals
Planning and thought process behind the SEA Games
Spearheaded by the Sports Department of WMSA, SEA Games is the largest and most expensive event to date for the association. Azri Zahari, the director of SEA Games, started planning for this event from the day he was elected for the role back in March of 2024. His mission for this year’s games was to ensure those who attended would find satisfaction even in the smallest of things, all while setting a benchmark for future WMSA’s flagship events in terms of reach and revenue. “I was sure about the potential that SEA Games has – the untapped market of ASEAN students in the UK craving to compete in an amateur level competition is huge. But in doing so, we need to ensure their first experience taking part in such an event is a memorable one and something they can fondly look back on,” Azri shares.
Behind a successful event is a committed team that played a vital role. Led by Azri, the team consisted of 3 vice directors and 12 heads of departments who all worked tirelessly to ensure the event ran smoothly on the day itself. Although a small unit relative to the event size, they made sure everything was accounted for – from logistics, financing and all the way to publicity and outreach, these members kept everything in check and on track since the academic year started back in September 2024. The team’s passion and determination were pivotal in overcoming the logistical challenges of coordinating 10 different sports in one day. Their collective efforts allowed for a seamless event day which was reflected in the positive feedback from players and attendees, praising the event as one of the best managed student-led sporting tournaments in the UK.
Lasting Connections
One of the unexpected outcomes from the event is the connections built through the SEA Games. Connecting with over 100 ASEAN-related societies in the UK led to the formation of strong bonds among the different societies from Scotland in the north all the way down to London. MyHeart also played a significant role, being the official event sponsor, providing monetary support that made sure the event could sustain its high expenditure. This partnership also added a special touch with exclusive MyHeart merchandise given to participants as cherished keepsakes. This SEA Games also supported the ASEAN student community in Warwick by offering booths for them to sell home cooked meals and snacks for the day. Overall, WMSA is not only seen as the organiser, but the association that provided the opportunity for those involved to feel belonged to a larger, supportive community.
What’s next from WMSA?
The overwhelming success of Warwick SEA Games 2025 has set a new benchmark for upcoming years. WMSA plans to build on this momentum, expanding the range of sports and activities while strengthening existing partnerships. “We aim to make next year’s SEA Games even more inclusive and impactful,” Azri shared. “This event isn’t just about sports—it’s about creating lasting connections and a sense of belonging for Southeast Asian students in the UK.”
Plans are already underway to introduce new initiatives, including a bigger committee alongside the inclusion of new sports tournaments. With continued support from sponsors, volunteers, and participants, WMSA is confident that the Warwick SEA Games will continue to be a highlight on the UK student calendar and cement WMSA as a cultural and sports powerhouse.
This story was written by the Warwick Malaysian Student Association (WMSA).
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