UKM Runners-up in 1Malaysia Waz Lian 2011 Volleyball League
By Nur Azimah Mahmood
Pics by Mejar Mohd Jasmy Abd Rahman
CHERAS, 2 August, 2011 - Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) men’s volleyball team emerged runners-up after losing by a narrow margin to the team from Bukit Jalil Sport School (SSBJ) in the final at the Cheras Badminton Stadium last Sunday.
Both teams, under the guidance of Zulyadi Zakaria, a trainer at SSBJ, thrilled the crowd as they tried to outclass one another. UKM, who took the first game with a three-point lead, could not match SSBJ’s attack in the second game, losing by seven points.
The deciding fifth game was a cliff hanger as the determined UKM players managed to gain the upper hand early, three points clear. However Lady Luck was with SSBJ boys who finally edged UKM by just two points, at 18-16.
The league played over nine days between 9 and 31 July with eight men’s teams - from UKM, SSBJ, Malaysian Armed Forces, Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School in Perlis, Segamat Sports Club, Shah Alam Town Council and Sibu, Sarawak.
The five women’s teams were from SSBJ, E-Globlex Sdn. Bhd., PDT Pahang, Sibu and the Malaysian Armed Forces.
The total prize money of RM76,000 went to the champion team as well as all the finalists.
The men’s volleyball team champion received the League Cup, medal and RM10,000, while the runners-up and third placed received medals and RM7,000 and RM6,000 respectively.
Present at the men’s final were Prof. Ir. Dr. Othman A. Karim, UKM Deputy Vice Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni); Marina Chin, Principal of SBBJ; and the Director of the Sports Centre, Dr. Tajul Arifin Muhamad. 