Etiquette matters in sports
SMK Kuching High, Sarawak
WATCHING a badminton match between Malaysian superstar Datuk Lee Chong Wei and China’s Lin Dan gave Team Modulus the idea for their PSA.
However, it wasn’t the match itself but the handshake between the two great rivals at the end that inspired their theme, “Sports and Diplomacy Hand in Hand”.
“We re-enacted the pose where they were shaking hands at the net for our poster. We wanted to show that sports can transcend differences and bring people together,” team member Su Yee Hui said.
She said it took them about four to five days to come up with the poster design.
“Our biggest challenge was finding time to get together because we all have busy schedules. After we finalised the design on our own, we consulted our teacher and made a few changes,” she added.
Team Modulus, comprising Form Four students Yee Hui, Teo Hao Jing, Adryan Ang Seng Theng and Lewis Tang Wei Hao, won the Outstanding Award for the state of Sarawak.
Their PSA shows a firm clasp of hands with the Jalur Gemilang on one wristband and the Olympic rings on the other, while the flags of other countries fly in the background. It is cleverly accompanied by an acrostic poem on the word “diplomacy” which affirms the message that sports can foster diplomatic and peaceful relationships between countries, cultures and languages.
“We did not expect to win the Outstanding Award. We just wanted to have a go at the contest and gain new experiences,” Hao Jing said, adding that she learnt the importance of teamwork through the contest.
For Yee Hui, designing the PSA gave them valuable experience in doing research on the theme.
Adryan added that they now knew more about the subject of sports and diplomacy.
Fittingly, all four teammates are actively involved in sports and have represented their school in various events. Hao Jing plays tennis, Adryan plays badminton and Lewis is in archery while Yee Hui is a hurdler and plays netball.
Teacher-in-charge Chai Yu Tak said the contest helped the students to mature and learn to work together.
“They also learnt how to do a PSA and to send an effective message,” he said.
He said the school took part annually in the NiE contest and encouraged students to read The Star. “This has benefited the students, including helping them to improve their English as we are a Chinesemedium school,” he said, adding that the school subscribed to The Star for its NiE and stuff@school content.
Star Media Group audience management assistant manager for Sarawak, Kong Hua Ming presented the award and certificates to the students.