December 13, 2008 23:01 PM
AUG '08 Opens In StyleBy: Ramjit-->
By Farhanah Azmi and Mohd Faizal Hassan KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 13 (Bernama) -- The 14th edition of the Asean University Games (AUG '08) was officially opened by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Khaled Nordin in a colourful ceremony at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil here Saturday night.In his speech Khaled said through AUG, the standard of sports among university students and athletes of the Asean region could be raised apart from being a symbol of regional goodwill and sporting spirit."We can see some of the best sportsmen and sportswomen competing. This is a platform for the Asean university community to learn, communicate and get to know each other better through sporting activities," he said.The glittering ceremony entitled "Together We Reach For The Stars" started with the parade of the Games mascot named "A1" and about 200 Games volunteers.This was followed by the parade of the 10 participating nations. The Malaysian contingent was led by Jalur Gemilang (national flag) bearer Nabil Fikri Mohd Noor (hockey)and chief-de-mission Datuk Prof Alias Mohd Noor.Immediately after the declaration was made by Mohd Khaled, the Games Torch was brought into the stadium by Mohd Farhan Harun (boxing), Cheng Chu Sian (archery)and Mohd Shukri Abdul Mutalib (hockey) before it was handed over to taekwondo exponent Elaine Teoh, who lit the cauldron, marking a symbolic lighting up ceremony.This was followed by the raising of the Games flag and oath-taking ceremony, led by pole voulter Roslinda Samsu and Kalvinder Singh of hockey, before Mohd Khaled was introduced to the participating contingents.Cultural dances and formations by some 3,000 Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) students, accompanied by their own orchestra, added spice to the ceremony. Artistes like Mawi, Zahid, Shafinaz and Eja provide a musical extravaganza for the night.Besides Malaysia and Timor Leste, university athletes from Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia are taking part in AUG'08. Myanmar are not taking part due to internal problems in the country.Malaysia previously hosted the AUG twice -- in 1984 at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and 1993 at UiTM.This time, Malaysia are sending the biggest contingent comprising 400 athletes and 98 officials and have set a target of no less than 100 gold.This year's Games involve some 7,000 athletes and officials making it the biggest since it began in 1981.A total of 22 sports will be competed namely athletics, archery, badminton, basketball, beach volleyball, football, futsal, golf, hockey, karate, lawn bowls, netball, silat, rugby (sevens), sepak takraw, shooting, squash, swimming, table-tennis, taekwondo, tenpin bowling and volleyball.-- BERNAMA
AUG '08 Opens In StyleBy: Ramjit-->
By Farhanah Azmi and Mohd Faizal Hassan KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 13 (Bernama) -- The 14th edition of the Asean University Games (AUG '08) was officially opened by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Khaled Nordin in a colourful ceremony at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil here Saturday night.In his speech Khaled said through AUG, the standard of sports among university students and athletes of the Asean region could be raised apart from being a symbol of regional goodwill and sporting spirit."We can see some of the best sportsmen and sportswomen competing. This is a platform for the Asean university community to learn, communicate and get to know each other better through sporting activities," he said.The glittering ceremony entitled "Together We Reach For The Stars" started with the parade of the Games mascot named "A1" and about 200 Games volunteers.This was followed by the parade of the 10 participating nations. The Malaysian contingent was led by Jalur Gemilang (national flag) bearer Nabil Fikri Mohd Noor (hockey)and chief-de-mission Datuk Prof Alias Mohd Noor.Immediately after the declaration was made by Mohd Khaled, the Games Torch was brought into the stadium by Mohd Farhan Harun (boxing), Cheng Chu Sian (archery)and Mohd Shukri Abdul Mutalib (hockey) before it was handed over to taekwondo exponent Elaine Teoh, who lit the cauldron, marking a symbolic lighting up ceremony.This was followed by the raising of the Games flag and oath-taking ceremony, led by pole voulter Roslinda Samsu and Kalvinder Singh of hockey, before Mohd Khaled was introduced to the participating contingents.Cultural dances and formations by some 3,000 Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) students, accompanied by their own orchestra, added spice to the ceremony. Artistes like Mawi, Zahid, Shafinaz and Eja provide a musical extravaganza for the night.Besides Malaysia and Timor Leste, university athletes from Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia are taking part in AUG'08. Myanmar are not taking part due to internal problems in the country.Malaysia previously hosted the AUG twice -- in 1984 at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and 1993 at UiTM.This time, Malaysia are sending the biggest contingent comprising 400 athletes and 98 officials and have set a target of no less than 100 gold.This year's Games involve some 7,000 athletes and officials making it the biggest since it began in 1981.A total of 22 sports will be competed namely athletics, archery, badminton, basketball, beach volleyball, football, futsal, golf, hockey, karate, lawn bowls, netball, silat, rugby (sevens), sepak takraw, shooting, squash, swimming, table-tennis, taekwondo, tenpin bowling and volleyball.-- BERNAMA
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