The true meaning of the Olympic spirit is alive and well at the melting pot of nations that is Nilai UC!
Nilai University College's (Nilai UC) multinational student population recently got into the Olympic spirit with its own mini version of the games. Six teams representing Malaysia, China, Kenya, Nigeria, Sri Lanka and Middle Eastern students took part on the games which was held at Nilai UC's award-winning 105-acre campus.
The event was presided by Nilai UC's Registrar, Chuah Ah Tok, who stressed the importance for students to take part on sporting activities to build up an all-round character. Furthermore, such events are a good opportunity for students to get to know each other better and to assimilate the melting pot of cultures that exists at Nilai UC.
"Similar to the Olympic games in Beijing, we hope this event will help students forge closer ties with their fellow man and for sport to illustrate the pinnacle of what an individual can achieve," said Chua who declared the games open by lighting a ceremonial flame.
Nilai UC Registrar Chua Ah Tok signals the beginning of its Mini Olympics by lighting the ceremonial flame.
Over 60 students and staff took part in the games with plenty more gathered to watch. The Kenyans who have a fine tradition of runners once again displayed their athleticism by winning the 50m relays by some distance. More surprisingly was the defeat of the Chinese team comprising 10 well-built boys to a Nigerian team that included two slight-framed girls! In the overall standings, China still managed the most points as their enthusiasm to emulate their countrymen at the Beijing games saw them finish top of the pile.
Nilai UC students and staff get ready for the ceremonial march for its own Mini Olympics.
Nilai UC students and staff get ready for the ceremonial march for its own Mini Olympics. "This Mini Olympics is just one of the many events we organise to ensure Nilai UC students have a healthy balance between studying and outdoor sporting activities. We constantly preach that we don't just produce one-dimensional bookworms but all-rounded individuals who excel in all fields. Participation in events such as these is part of that process," smiled a visibly entertained Michael Yei, Nilai UC's director of Department of Student Affairs (DSA). It is the DSA which regularly organises sporting and social events throughout the year to ensure the almost 3,000 students are occupied with a selection of healthy activities. This ranges from the colourful world of Japanese Anime festivals to record-breaking attempts such as the recent non-stop Scrabble marathon.
