PENANG, May 2013 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) coaches and athletes who excelled in sports throughout the past year were honoured at the 35th USM Sports Award ceremony held in a local hotel recently. 

It was beyond doubt a grand ceremony cum dinner, one that is befitting the coaches and athletes, who did the university proud by bagging titles, medals and trophies at the university and even state and national level.

A final year student from the School of Management, Mandy Yeap Mun Xin, 24, who will be graduating next year, is a pristine example of a Purple award winner, the highest award in USM Sports Award. She had represented at all three levels: USM, state and the nation.

“I am grateful for having the opportunity to participate in the games and for all who supported my career, particularly the USM Sports and Recreation Centre,” she said in an interview after the announcement of the sportspersons of the year.

Yeap started swimming at the age of 14 and had won three gold medals at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in 2011 for the synchronized swimming events, a gold medal for Institutes of Higher Education Games (SUKIPT) 2012 and three bronze for Malaysian Universities Sports Council (MASUM) Games 2013.

Jocelyn Chai Shwu In and Lim Chee Wei were crowned as sportsman and sportswoman respectively at the same event. Jocelyn is a Taekwondo athlete for the Poomsae category while Lim is a karate athlete.

Each of them took home a challenge trophy, an accompanying trophy, certificate, cash and vouchers from sponsors.

Jocelyn who won gold in SUKIPT 2012 and will participate in the World Poomsae Championship in November and the 27th SEA Games in Myanmar in December, also expressed hope to participate in future international competitions and bring more honour to USM and the country.

Lim was in the group of national athletes who won gold in the Southeast Asian Karate-Do Federation Championship in the Philippines, South East Asian Karate-do Championship in Bangkok, and the 16th ASEAN University Games in Laos. Moreover, he was named Hope of the Athletics at the Penang Sports Awards 2012 and the best male university athlete candidate in MASUM Sports Awards 2012.

Also at the dinner, a total of 68 students were awarded full colours while nine persons, half colour; and 48 persons, a Certificate of Outstanding Service for their dedication and sacrifice to sports for the academic session 2012/2013 each. Awards were also presented to the Best Team Men / Women (less than 7), Star of Hope for Men /Women and an appreciation of the coaches and captains.

USM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman in his speech said that he was proud of USM’s sports achievements by students and staff. He then added that some have been selected to represent Malaysia in swimming and chess at Universiade in Kazan, Russia, this July.

“I am proud of how hard they have worked with dedication to bring honour and glory to the university and the country in the field of sports, without neglecting their academic performance,” said Omar.

Another significant difference over the years as the Director of Sports and Recreation, Tuan Haji Muhamad Mohd Hanif, reported during the dinner was the increase of sponsorships by private companies and also the number of student volunteers.

He noted that the total number of USM volunteers in event management made a quantum leap from 1,490 persons in 2011 to 2,270 persons in 2012.

Together with the student athletes, their coaches and management team to rejoice the occasion were the Vice-Chancellor’s wife, Datin Noraizan Jamaluddin; Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Student Affairs and Development Division, Prof. Adnan Hussein; Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Research and Innovation, Prof. Muhamad Jantan and his wife; and Nestle Products Sdn. Bhd. representative, Mohd Hanif Haron. - Text: Yong Check Yoon & Nor Rafizah Md Zain/Photos: Yong Check Yoon