Mutiara Azzahra Tzabitah Zain Ababil, Deaf Student of UNU Jogja's Food Technology Study Program, Wins First Runner-Up at the 2026 Deaf Inter-Club Futsal Tournament

Yogyakarta, Indonesia – Determination and perseverance have led Mutiara Azzahra Tzabitah Zain Ababil, a student of the Food Technology Study Program at Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta (UNU Jogja), to achieve national recognition. The 2025 cohort student secured First Runner-Up at the 2026 Deaf Inter-Club Futsal Tournament for Java, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), and Surrounding Regions.

The tournament was held on 25–26 July 2026 at the Diponegoro University (Undip) Futsal Sports Hall in Tembalang, Semarang, Central Java. Organized by the Central Java Deaf Futsal Association (AFT), the competition featured 32 men's teams and five women's teams representing various regions across Java, Bali, NTB, and nearby areas.

Representing Jogja Tuli Women Futsal Club, Mutiara and her teammates earned the First Runner-Up title. Her achievement demonstrates that hearing impairment is not a barrier to competing and excelling at the national level.

Beyond competition, the tournament aimed to enhance the technical skills and mental resilience of deaf athletes while fostering sportsmanship, solidarity, and stronger connections among deaf communities across Indonesia. The event also served as a platform to promote inclusivity in sports by bringing together athletes from diverse regions.

Head of the Food Technology Study Program at UNU Jogja, Subekti Hartiningsih, S.T.P., M.Sc., expressed her appreciation for Mutiara's accomplishment. She emphasized that the achievement reflects the importance of providing equal opportunities, support, and trust to every student.

"Mutiara's achievement is a source of pride for the Food Technology Study Program. We believe that every student has extraordinary potential, including students with disabilities. Our university is committed to creating an inclusive learning environment where all students can develop their academic and non-academic abilities to the fullest," she said.

She also expressed hope that Mutiara's success would inspire other students to continue developing their talents, embrace new challenges, and confidently demonstrate their abilities in various fields.

"We hope this achievement motivates all students to keep creating, competing, and bringing pride to UNU Jogja at regional, national, and international levels. We also hope Mutiara continues to achieve even greater success in future competitions," she added.

Echoing this sentiment, Andra Tersiana, a lecturer in the Food Technology Study Program, described Mutiara as a highly dedicated student with a remarkable commitment to learning.

"Throughout her studies, Mutiara has consistently demonstrated outstanding academic dedication. She is not only academically capable but is also known for being polite, actively participating in class, and having a strong desire to learn. After every class, she often asks for the course materials so she can study them independently and is never hesitant to ask questions to deepen her understanding. Her curiosity and determination to keep learning are qualities that I believe have contributed significantly to her achievements," Andra said.

Mutiara's accomplishment highlights how determination, discipline, and perseverance can overcome barriers. It also reinforces UNU Jogja's commitment to fostering an inclusive higher education environment where every student is encouraged to develop their talents, pursue excellence, and contribute meaningfully to society. [Latifah]