June 16, 2016, by Hannah Webber

Things are hotting up in Malaysia

Chris Morris one of Team UK’s volleyball players gives us his commentary of Tri Campus Games 2016, so far.

Day 3 in the jungle… and the contestants are starting to feel the full effects of Malaysia’s heat and humidity. It was our hottest day yet with temperatures reaching highs of 39 degrees celsius and every team that played certainly noticed it. Team UK are still trying to acclimatise to playing in the conditions and unfortunately one player went down with heat stroke but our amazing Sports Rehab team stepped in and he’s back with the football team ready to help Team UK bring back the Tri-Campus cup.

One thing that has been noticeable at these Games is the camaraderie between all the sports and Team UK Men’s Football (pictured) had to call on not one, not two, but three additional players stepped into the breach as their injury count climbed over the course of the day and all were instrumental in the football team winning both fixtures, meaning that they won the overall Men’s Football series. Emily from Team UK’s Womens Football, went one step further by playing in goal for Malaysia against the UK and saving some tough shots from her UK teamates.

The Badminton fixture between Team UK and Team China was another example of team spirit as all three campuses packed into the small Sports Hall to watch what turned out to be a great fixture for all the spectators. Our players willing to put everything on the line with a point in the 1st seed doubles fixture coming to mind where David ended up diving around the court several times to keep the point alive.

We’re not just out here to watch Team UK claw back the Tri Campus cup though. Malaysia and China in the men’s basketball attracted the largest, and by far the nosiest crowd of the tournament. Team Malaysia managed to acquire a loudspeaker and microphone and the back and forth chants between the two campuses with Team UK just enjoying the match and atmosphere reminds me of some of the great Varsity fixtures UoN has had against Trent, China coming out 40-28 winners. After the final whistle, however, our mantra of “friendship through sport” couldn’t have rung more true with both teams having massive smiles on their faces after having competed in such a great fixture.

After our games and before a day off on a cultural visit to Batu Caves and Kuala Lumpur Team UK decided to have, what was intended to be, a chilled night out and ended up bonding over a few rounds of Karaoke in Malaysia’s very own Mooch – mixing “business” with leisure time.

So far Tri Campus Games has been an amazing sporting and cultural experience – making friends from different continents and different sports – hopefully on Friday we’ll add to that experience by winning the TCG 2016  trophy!

Results so far:
– Team UK won in Ultimate Frisbee (v , Womens Football (v MY), Tennis (v ), Womens Basketball (v MY), Squash (v MY), and Mens Football x2;
– Team China in Mens Basketball (v MY) and Table Tennis (v MY);
– And Team Malaysia in Volleyball (v UK), Mens Basketball (vs UK), Frisbee (v CH).

To follow the action from University of Malaysia campus visit the Tri Campus Games website or search #TCG2016.

Posted in StudentsTri Campus Games