By Puteri Balkish
GOMBAK, 15 October 2016: The Varsity Boat Race, organised by the Ministry of Higher Education, has made its comeback this year, this time commemorating its tenth year.
Held from 8 until 15 October at Putrajaya Water Sports Complex, Precinct 6, Putrajaya, the race basically comprised of two events, rowing and kayaking, with kayaking being the secondary event.
A team of 11 athletes was sent to represent the IIUM Mustangs in the rowing event. They departed for the competition on Monday 10 October, at 8.00p.m., to Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, where they resided while the race was going on.
On the following day, they tested the waters before the games began. The race started on 12 October. The events they participated in include the male single sculls, lightweight men’s double sculls, women’s pair and men’s eights.
The first round ended and they had two races for the male single sculls and lightweight men’s double sculls. The team managed to secure third place during the race on this particular round. They proceeded to the second round on 13 October.
When asked regarding his aspirations, the team captain, Ahmed Wafi, a third year Communication (Journalism) student, said that he did not want the team to be in the last position, which they had already achieved so far by ranking at third place.
He also said that he wanted to expose his team to the pressures and pleasures of competition.***