UMS athletes near SUKIPT gold target
KOTA KINABALU: Universiti Malaysia Sabah bagged one gold medal through its taekwondo squad at the Higher Learning Institutions Sports Carnival (SUKIPT) in Bangi, Selnagor, yesterday.
They also bagged three silver medals and one bronze from the same squad, which means UMS now need just one more gold medal to achieve their target.
The gold medal was won by Poomsae duo Ahmady Radi and Nur Ifa Husna Saiful in the mixed event.
Ahmady also contributed a silver medal from the individual event, while Nur Ifa went on to win another silver medal in trio with Helena Lisu and Cheong Pui Yen.
The other silver medal came from the men's team (Song Lu Biou, Dominic Sew Khai Yuan, Bernicael Bernard Anak Megol), while the bronze medal came from the women's individual event (Cheong Pui Yen).
UMS Sports Centre director Mohd Asyraaf Fong Abdullah congratulated the squad on a job well done. He said their outstanding performance helped to lift a burden off the contingent's shoulders.
A total of 18 athletes are representing the UMS contingent which is led by Cristina Ideris. They are participating in only six of the 27 sports featured at the games.
In addition to taekwondo, UMS is also competing in silat, karate, tenpin bowling, petanque and athletics.
The other sports being contested in the games are rugby, football, lawn bowls, cricket, soccer, hockey, badminton, table tennis, chess, volleyball, fencing, sepak takraw, squash, netball, golf, tennis, beach volleyball, cycling, shooting, archery and swimming.
More than 100 contingents are taking part in the biennial games involving all public and private institutions of higher learning like universities, university colleges, polytechnics and community colleges.
The games, which is ongoing until February 10, will be officiated by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh at the opening ceremony tonight.