Over the years, Nilai University College (Nilai UC) has cultivated a healthy reputation for the campus with true sporting credentials. Facilities include a lakeside jogging track, badminton, volleyball and basketball courts, and many others.
Its annual Fun Run, now in its ninth edition, has slowly become a highlight of its calendar as students and staff show off their competitive streaks. The main objective of the Fun Run is to stress Nilai UC's commitment towards encouraging a sporting agenda for its student population.
"In previous years, it was a fun and easy-going run around our picturesque campus. It was a good way for students and staff to mingle but with each passing year, I have noticed an increasing competitive edge among the students. In particular, students from countries which have a proud tradition of long-distance running such as Kenya and Morocco have begun to take the Fun Run a little bit more seriously," confirms Michael Yei, Director at Nilai UC Department of Student Affairs and Sports.
However, what pleased Yei most was the record turn out of 711 participants after heavy downpour threatened to ruin last year's edition. "It is good to see so many students and staff responding positively to the Fun Run. Many of the students actually did a fair amount of training leading up to this 6km race," beams Yei.
Despite forming the majority of the participants, the Malaysian students were no match for their international counterparts, in particular the African contingent who once again dominated Men's Category A (students under the age of 30). First across the tape was Uganda's Kasozi Raymond (Degree in Accounting and Finance).
However, there was a break in tradition in the Women's Category B (students under the age of 30). Breaking the previous years African stranglehold, a local lass from the Diploma in Nursing programme, Low Pei Shan, came in first.
But the role model award definitely had to go to Norashikin Cheong Abdullah, Head of Nilai UC's Nursing Faculty who managed to come in first at in the Veteran's Category (over the age of 50). She, too, attributes her success to daily work outs around the campus after classes.
The post-race party was also a highlight this year with traveling American minstrel, Beau Bristow, performing a selection of original tunes on his guitar for the participants. Amidst the tired legs, however, students were already talking about doing better times at next year's edition. It seems that the competitive spirit is indeed alive and well at Nilai UC and this attitude will serve students well when they enter the working world.
