PENANG, 19 May 2013 - Soh Sing Siang bettered a 23-year record held by R. Subramaniam for the men's 800m category at the 39th USM Annual Athletics Carnival (TOT) recently. Soh, representing Desasiswa Fajar, was also selected as the best male athlete two years in a row by bagging two gold medals for the 1500m and 800m category.

The Best Female Athlete was awarded to Pok Wei Ling from Desasiswa Murni who won the gold in the 3000m walking category and silver in the 3000m category. She also managed to set a new record for the 3000m walk, clocking 18.43.8s as compared to Vithiaa’s 18.57.0s.

The 39th TOT presented 45 athletic events organized by the Sports and Recreation Centre with the cooperation of 130 USM volunteers and chaired by Nur Basirah Abd Nasir.

“Six new records including 3 records for the veterans’ category were broken in this year’s TOT. On behalf of the Committee, I wish to congratulate all the athletes who represented 21 contingents, including staff, for competing with the spirit of sportsmanship.

"I would also like to thank the Penang Amateur Athletic Association for their support and guidance provided towards the success of the Carnival," said Nur Basirah.

The TOT closing ceremony was officiated by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman who also presented prizes to the best male and female athletes.

"At this time, I see a very rapid development in sports at USM and national level for all, inclusive staff and students. For example, the University managed to get a RM10 million donation to build an indoor sports complex to meet the needs of basketball, futsal, netball and sepak takraw.

“I hope in the next year, in conjunction with USM 45th anniversary, 50th Convocation, it will be a grander 40th TOT event. Let us adopt a healthy lifestyle,” said Omar.

The closing event was attended by the USM Board of Governors member, Prof. Dato' Dr. Rosihan M. Ali; the Vice-Chancellor’s wife, Datin Noraizan Jamaluddin; Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Industry and Community Network Division, Prof. Dato' Dr. See Ching Mey; and Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs and Development Division, Prof. Adnan Hussein.

Several events and special prizes awarded during the closing ceremony are as follows: -

BEST TEAM CHAMPION (M)   -           DESASISWA INDAH KEMBARA

BEST TEAM CHAMPION (W)   -           DESASISWA NURANI

BEST PARADE                           -          DESASISWA INDAH KEMBARA CONTINGENT

                                                       -           DESASISWA TEKUN CONTINGENT

                                                       -           DESASISWA NURANI CONTINGENT

FAIRPLAY                                 -          DESASISWA MURNI

BEST CAMP                               -          DESASISWA FAJAR HARAPAN

                                                      -           DESASISWA TEKUN

                                                       -           DESASISWA AMAN DAMAI

BEST CHEERLEADER GROUP      -           DESASISWA TEKUN

                                                               -           DESASISWA RESTU

                                                               -           DESASISWA SAUJANA

FRIENDLY MASCOT                   -          DESASISWA INDAH KEMBARA

                                                        -           DESASISWA TEKUN

                                                        -           DESASISWA JAYA

Text: Rafizah Nor Md Zain/Photo: Mohd Azrul Mohd Azhar