USM PENANG, 19 March 2023 – The Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) School of Pharmaceutical Sciences contingent maintained the overall championship success of the 16^th MyPSA National Pharmacy Sports Carnival (NPSC) 2023, as the carnival comes to an end this afternoon.  

The sports carnival that was hosted by Persatuan Sains Farmasi USM in collaboration with the Malaysian Pharmacy Students’ Association (MyPSA), was held at the USM Athletics Stadium from 17-19 March 2023.

The USM contingent won 18 gold, 12 silver and 10 bronze medals while University of Cyberjaya (UoC) and AIMST University contingents won 10 and 5 gold medals, placing them at the second and third place respectively.

At the same event, Wong Jing Hui and Chua Shang Ying from USM were crowned as sportsman and sportswoman of the sporting event.

The closing ceremony was officiated by the Deputy Dean of Research, Innovation and Industry-Community Engagement, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences USM, Associate Professor Dr. Nurzalina Abdul Karim Khan, representing the USM Vice-Chancellor here at Dewan Tuanku Syed Putra (DTSP) USM.

Nurzalina in her closing speech said that, it is an honour for USM to host the huge national event and she believed that all the committees have worked really hard to ensure that the event would run smoothly.

“I also believe that this sporting event has met its objectives and provided a platform for all the pharmacy students in the country who are taking part to build rapport between them and also to unleash their talents in sports.

“On behalf of USM, it is hoped that all participants had a great time throughout the competition and enjoyed their time in USM,” she said.

Meanwhile, NPSC main sponsor, CEO and Executive Director of Antah Healthcare Group, Yang Mulia Tunku Dato’ Mohamed Alauddin Tunku Naquiyuddin congratulated USM and MyPSA sports carnival committee for organising the event.

“I personally believe that to study doesn't mean you have to be in the classroom only, as you will also learn on how to collaborate, persevere, and work as a team at the sports carnival event, which is important when you are in the workforce after graduation, and I wish you all the best for your future endeavours. It is a tough world out there, but I'm confident that everyone here will succeed in the future,” he said.

NPSC 2023 Project Director, Khelvy Kebby Kili in his speech said that, the main objective of this event was to regain the spirit of physical sports as well as to spark the unity in a healthy competition among all participants, hence the theme for the 16th MyPSA NPSC 2023 is 'Bringing Back the Spirit'.

“We hope that all participants can regain their enthusiasm towards sports throughout the event and congratulations to all winners,” he said.

Among the sports that were included in the carnival were track and field; modern games such as volleyball, tennis, table tennis, badminton, squash, sepak takraw, basketball, netball, petanque triple and futsal; traditional games such as chess; e-sports that includes PUBG, Fifa and Mobile Legends and an aquatic event which is swimming.

Also present were the Deputy President of Malaysian Pharmacists Society, Andrew Tan; President of MyPSA, Yew Hong Sheng; President of Persatuan Sains Farmasi, Adam Shamsulanwar, Advisor of Persatuan Sains Farmasi and Organising Committee members of the 16th NPSC 2023.

A total of 783 pharmacy students from twelve pharmacy schools and faculties representing various Malaysian institutions of higher education (IPT) participated in the sports carnival.

Text: Nur Farrah Ezlin Mohd Suhaimi/Photo: Ebrahim Abdul Manan