Kuala Lumpur, 22 November 2025: United Through Sports (UTS) and the Malaysian Olympism in Action Society (MOiAS) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during the UTS World Youth Forum, marking a major step in strengthening youth empowerment, inclusion, and leadership through sport.
The agreement was signed by Stephan Fox, President of UTS, and Noraseela Md Khalid OLY, President of MOiAS. Noraseela Md Khalid OLY, a former Malaysian Olympian and Asian Games medallist in the 400-metre hurdles, brings decades of experience in high-performance sport, leadership, and youth advocacy to this partnership. The partnership aims to build opportunities that help young people grow, lead, and thrive within the spirit of Olympism.
Building a Partnership for Youth
The MOU establishes a long-term framework for collaboration between UTS and MOiAS. Both organisations share a mission to use sport as a powerful tool for education, inclusion, and community development.
Through this partnership, UTS and MOiAS will work together to promote youth engagement, leadership, and learning in Malaysia and internationally. The collaboration reflects a shared belief that sport is more than competition. It is a platform that builds unity, resilience, confidence, and equal opportunities for all.
The signing was also witnessed by three youth representatives: Benjamin Lee Wei, Nikhilish Yuvaraj, and Tan Shieh Li, all members of Malaysia’s iLEAP (Inspiring Leadership Excellence Advancement Programme), a national initiative designed to nurture young leaders in sport and community development. Their involvement in the ceremony highlighted the vital role of youth voices in shaping the future of inclusive sport. Benjamin, who currently holds a recognised leadership position within iLEAP, further demonstrated the significance of youth representation at such an important milestone.
Key Areas of Collaboration
Youth Participation and Engagement
Both organisations will participate in and support each other’s events, programmes, and initiatives with the shared goal of enhancing inclusion worldwide. This collaboration ensures ongoing opportunities for Malaysian and international youth to engage in meaningful activities that promote development, confidence, and well-being.
Educational and Leadership Pathways
The MOU encourages leadership exchanges by allowing representatives, officials, and youth leaders from both sides to join each other’s forums, discussions, and educational programmes. This creates a dynamic environment for knowledge sharing and supports the development of future leaders.
A Commitment to Respect and Good Faith
UTS and MOiAS have agreed to uphold confidentiality, transparency, and mutual respect throughout the partnership. Both organisations will ensure proper recognition of each other’s contributions and will seek written consent for the use of names, branding, or logos.
Moving Forward Together
The agreement takes effect immediately and will remain active until 31 December 2026. Its flexible structure allows both organisations to extend or enhance the partnership in the future. While this MOU serves as the first formal step, the collaboration demonstrated throughout the festival already reflects an actionable commitment to meaningful change.
A Milestone for Youth in Malaysia
The signing of this MOU marks an important step toward creating a more inclusive and active future for young people. With UTS bringing international influence and MOiAS delivering national impact, this partnership will open new pathways that inspire, educate, and uplift youth across Malaysia on both local and global levels.With the festival theme “Rise Together,” this partnership sets a promising standard for what collaboration in sport can achieve. It represents a united effort to build a future where every young person has the opportunity to rise, lead, and thrive.
