Malaysian games: 'It’s a big event for us’

Wellington Malaysian Students’ Organisation member Mujiib Hussin (21) plays sepak takraw at the...
Wellington Malaysian Students’ Organisation member Mujiib Hussin (21) plays sepak takraw at the Bersatu Games held at Unipol Recreation Centre in Dunedin yesterday. Photos by Peter McIntosh.
Otago Malaysian Students’ Association member Ikhwan Alwi (20) plays sepak takraw.
Otago Malaysian Students’ Association member Ikhwan Alwi (20) plays sepak takraw.
Wellington Malaysian Students’ Organisation member Azri Ainul (20) plays sepak takraw yesterday.
Wellington Malaysian Students’ Organisation member Azri Ainul (20) plays sepak takraw yesterday.

Malaysian students have "united'' in Dunedin for a sports tournament.

Bersatu Games organising committee chairman Eric Lim, of Penang, said more than 300 Malaysian students from universities across New Zealand registered for the annual sports tournament.

"It's like an Olympic games ... It's a big event for us.''

Bersatu is the Malay word for united.

The University of Otago medical student said the last 20% of tournament competitors and supporters arrived in Dunedin yesterday.

About 70% of the Malaysian students were international students, the rest were permanent New Zealand residents.

The games played at Unipol Recreation Centre yesterday were women's basketball, table tennis and sepak takraw - a sport native to Southeast Asia and popular in Malaysia.

Sepak takraw was similar to volleyball but the six players on court could only use their feet, knee, chest and head to get a small ball over the net.‘‘It's a unique sport that requires a lot of skills,'' Mr Lim said.

University of Otago student Aliff Zaini, of Jahore, said sepak takraw was "cool''.

University of Canterbury student Aqira Rohayudin, of Kuala Lumpur, said the small ball used to play sepak takraw yesterday was plastic but traditionally the balls were made from rattan, the woody stem of a climbing palm.

Rattan was also used by teachers in Malaysia to cane naughty schoolchildren, he said.

Mr Lim said the other tournament events included touch rugby, ultimate frisbee and debating.

The tournament hosting rights rotated between each New Zealand university.

The last time Dunedin hosted the event was in 2011.

The closing ceremony, on Monday, consists of a buffet dinner at the Savoy, including roast lamb and chicken chow mein, Mr Lim said.

Otago Malaysian Students' Association president Aaron Pan, of Sabah, said the tournament allowed the students to compete while forming friendships, which often lasted beyond graduation.

"It brings a sense of belonging.''

shawn.mcavinue@odt.co.nz

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