By Yasmin Latif
GOMBAK, 9 February 2018: IIUM Rugby Mustang has won the first ever gold in the Sukan Institusi Pendidikan Tinggi (SUKIPT) 2018 by edging Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) for the silver medal yesterday at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia ground in Bangi, Selangor.
Before this UPM has been holding the title as defending champion for three years in a row, and now they need to come to terms with their loss against IIUM at the intense score of 19-17 for the first time.
UPM made an early attack with two tries and one conversion ahead with 12-0 score, however, IIUM turned on their spirit with a counter-attack by Muhammad Mohamed Nilam, and finished off with style by Muhammad Hakimie Badrul Hisham. Tightening the gap with one try and one conversion from Jahangir Khan Majith Khan, thus, making a score of 12-7 in the first half.
In the second half, UPM made the move again to get an advantage 17-7 but IIUM penetrated the tight with one try and one conversion catch-up of a score 17-14 leading the game to victory with a dramatic try made by Muhammad Khairi Md Razi at the end of the game, leaving UPM defeated.
IIUM Rugby Mustang captain, Jahangir Khan Majith Khan, was delighted with the team performance.
“As captain, I felt very happy and lucky for this win. We trained hard for almost one month, and our hard work paid off. For me, it’s the teamwork that made the dream work. All my teammates followed my lead and instructions, we prayed together, we ate together, there’s no gap between a senior and a junior player in this team. Alhamdulillah, we are now the champion.”
Meanwhile, the IIUM Mustang contingent has currently secured 1 gold from rugby, 2 silver from Taekwondo (Female fly) and karate (Team kata men), and 7 Bronze from Taekwondo Poomsae Team (F), Taekwondo (male fin), Pencak Silat Putri (class A), Karate (Team kata women), K. Individual Kumite -68kg (Women), K. Individual Kumite +68kg (Women) and K. Individual Kumite -84kg (Men). ***