14/06/2025

SATURDAY | JUNE 14, 2025

COMMUNITY 7

Students star in dynamic kabaddi extravaganza o Sprightly sports celebration sees participation from 17 varsities

SERDANG: Over 500 students from 17 universities across the country converged recently for a day-long tournament to celebrate the energetic contact team sport of kabaddi and also football. Held at Universiti Putra Malaysia, the Asuran Championship 3.0 was organised by the UPM Hindu Association in collaboration with the UPM Student Affairs Department and the Malaysia Kabaddi Federation. The kabaddi courts were filled with adrenaline, strategy and grit, with both male and female teams giving their all. The football matches also drew loud cheers. “This tournament wasn’t just about competition; it was about bringing students together — from different campuses, backgrounds and beliefs — through the power of sport,” said UPM Hindu Association president Santosh Subramaniam. “We’re proud of what we built here and excited to see Asuran grow even bigger in the years to come.” Balakong state assemblyman Ong Chun Wei and Malaysia Kabaddi Federation president Dr. Paul Selvam Devadoss were present to witness the action and congratulate the winners. Their support underscored the importance of youth involvement in sports and also the growing recognition for traditional games like kabaddi . The men’s kabaddi competition was won by the Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia team and the women’s competition by Universiti Utara Malaysia. The Universiti Teknologi Malaysia team emerged champion in football. The event was teeming with an atmosphere of mutual respect, cultural pride and unforgettable memories.

Women players during a high powered moment while playing kabaddi , known for being

intense and quick-paced.

Chung (right) receives the RCKK Vocational Award for his invaluable contributions to forestry research from Taitim.

Forest conservator Arthur Chung honoured with vocational award KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Forestry Department Deputy Chief Centre and Rainforest Discovery Centre in Sepilok on June 6.

The trip was part of the club’s activities in observance of this year’s Rotary Environmental Month. Chung had assisted the late Dr Stephen Sutton, an RCKK member, on the gazettement of the Kinabalu Birdwing butterfly which was recognised as the state butterfly of Sabah in 2023. They had worked with the Sabah Biodiversity Centre and other relevant agencies. Chung earned his B.Sc. in Zoology and M.Sc. in Entomology from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and his D.Phil. in Tropical Forest Entomology at University of Oxford, UK. He has been working with the Sabah Forestry Department for the past 31 years. He currently also heads the Forest Research Centre. In 2023, he was conferred the Science and Technology Award from the Malaysia-Toray Science Foundation. - BY JOSHUA CHANG

Conservator of Forests Dr. Arthur Chung was recently presented with the Vocational Award by the Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu (RCKK) in recognition of his outstanding contributions to forestry research and development. The ceremony took place at the Forest Research Centre in Sandakan. RCKK president Datuk George Taitim and vocational service director Joshua Ho commended Chung, who has co authored 13 books and written numerous research papers, for the advances made in the field. Expressing his gratitude, Chung thanked the Rotary Club for the honour, stating that the recognition motivates him to continue his work in forest conservation and research. The presentation coincided with a visit by RCKK members, led by Taitim, to the Forest Research

Meor Abdullah Zaidi (seventh left) receives the award from Ismail (sixth left).

Sustainable bamboo project bags award

Ű P. CHANDRA SAGARAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

council, its project aims to promote bamboo as an alternative sustainable material, not only in the production of landscape furniture but also as shade trees planted for carbon absorption. It would also enhance urban biodiversity and at the same time reduce the “urban heat island” phenomenon in town areas. Institute of Landscape Architects Malaysia’s former president Datuk Ismail Ngah presented the award to the council’s senior director of services, Meor Abdullah Zaidi

Meor Razali. The council hailed it as a fitting recognition of its efforts to strengthen the implementation of nature-based solutions in urban landscape development. It noted that there is increasing awareness in the community towards climate change, biodiversity loss and the need for balanced development in line with nature. The council also thanked its staff, strategic partners and the community who gave support and commitment in the project’s success.

IPOH: The Ipoh City Council has won an architectural award for its Parks and Landscape Department’s unique project called “Bamboo: Sustainable Solution for Green Landscape”. The Green Initiatives Award for the government sector was given during the 15th Malaysia Landscape Architecture Awards ceremony held at Renaissance Kuala Lumpur on May 24. According to a statement by the