EXPERIENCE IN IRELAND MALAYSIAN GAMES 2017 



Okay peeps.. Now I want to write about the Ireland Malaysian Games (IMG) or previously better known as Dublin Games that was held on 11 November 2017 in University College Dublin.


Dublin Games is renowned for its fame among Malaysians in Ireland. Who would not know about Dublin Games? It is only being held once every year and during this annual event, Malaysians all over Ireland gather in one place to play sports, socialize and to make themselves feel more like home. It is an awaited event by all Malaysians whether among the athletes, supporters or those who come just for the  food.

However, due to declining participation rate every year, Dublin Games does not feel as lively as it used to be. There are few reasons to explain this mainly because of the cutting of the number of sponsored students to be sent to Ireland. Low sportsmanship among Malaysians who reside here is also a contributing factor for the decreasing rate of participation. Yes, it is out of our hands to keep in control of the number of Malaysians coming to Ireland every year but we surely can instill sportsmanship spirit in our daily life here in Ireland.


This year, Dublin Games has changed its name to Ireland Malaysian Games or IMG for short. Not to forget, Cork has sent few groups and individuals to compete in futsal, badminton etc. I have interviewed two people who went to IMG to share about their experience and also their hopes for the future of sports among the Malaysian community in Cork.


Q: Would you like to introduce yourself.
 A:  I am Farah Nadia Abdul Aziz, a third year medical student.

Q: In your opinion, how was the participation rate from Malaysian community in IMG.
A: Joining IMG for the 3rd year in a row now, I can say that the crowd is getting smaller every year.
That in itself is unavoidable, since number of sponsored students sent here is cut down every year.
However, the sportsmanship & spirit shown by participants were amazing! People came down to
Dublin from everywhere including Cork & Galway, made the journey, just to show support to the
annually awaited Malaysian Games.

Q: Tell us about your experience in IMG.
A : It's a whole new experience for me this year definitely since it's my first time joining Badminton. Cork had always sent
Netball team the previous years, but not this year since we don't have enough players to make one. Well.. Obviously..
I lost & didn't make it to semi (hahah) but i didn't regret going for one bit. In fact, I'm happy to go again next year, but
with practice & better prepared. You definitely meet many talents & great players in IMG in no matter what events-
and ofc, take the chance to learn from them.

Q: What are the preparations that you did to compete in IMG?
A: I didn't really get to train & prepare for this year around. Managed to only find time once to play in Mardyke a day before
the game. But it didn't really matter since i was in an individual event (Badminton, Women Single). But again, I'll
definitely train myself more & be better prepared for next year if I were to join again.

Q: What are your hopes for the incoming IMG in general and for Malaysians in Cork specifically?
A : I just hope to see more familiar faces from Cork in IMG next year! Because it is great fun & also a good time to meet
friends from all over. It's also a good time/reason to start healthy life routine with the training etc

Q: How do we attract more Malaysians to join IMG next year?
A: One way that I can think of, that I've always wanted to do but not successful, is booking a coach/van to transport all
participants from Cork to Dublin together. It'll definitely save them from the tiring trip with public bus to the city centre,
then another bus to UCD, and vice versa.


I also interviewed one of the members of Gabus Gebu FC, a futsal team from Cork about his experience in IMG. (This interview is done in Malay)

Q: Perkenalkan diri anda.
 Saya dikenali dengan nama Ainuddin, pelajar di sebuah universiti di selatan Ireland.

Q: Pada pendapat anda, bagaimanakah sambutan penyertaan Dublin Game daripada warga Malaysia?

Jikalau mahu dibandingkan Dublin Games sewaktu saya tahun pertama dengan sekarang jauh bezanya. Namun kita harus akur dengan kekangan-kekangan yang ada, seperti kurangnya bilangan pelajar Malaysia ke Ireland saban tahun.

Q: Ceritakan pengalaman menyertai Dublin Game.

Tiada pengalaman yang istimewa sekadar cuma secubit ukhuwah dan silaturrahim yang terjalin mesra.

Q: Apakah persiapan yang telah dilakukan untuk bertanding dalam Dubin Game?

Kalau nak diikutkan kami pergi bertanding atas nawaitu bermain suka-suka. Kami memang ada bermain bola seminggu sekali di Cork, walaubagaimanapun itu lebih kepada untuk menghilangkan stress dan satu sesi bersenam.

Q: Apakah harapan anda secara umumnya untuk Dublin Game yang akan datang dan khususnya terhadap warga-warga Malaysia di Cork.

 Harapan umum saya adalah untuk melihat Ireland Malaysian Game (IMG) menjadi satu sambutan sukan yang dirai meriah oleh pelajar Malaysia di Ireland. Cadangan saya, mungkin untuk tahun-tahun kehadapan, penyertaan sukan di IMG boleh dilakukan atas nama kontinjen universiti dan bukan lagi pernyertaan individu. Universiti yang mendapat pungutan mata tertinggi keseluruhan akan dinobatkan pemenang dan diberi hadiah. Demikian, exco sukan di lokaliti masing-masing akan lebih terdorong untuk mempergiatkan percambahan aktiviti sukan di lokaliti masing-masing justeru meningkatkan pernyertaan dalam acara IMG.

Q: Bagaimanakah cara untuk menarik minat lebih ramai warga Cork menyertai Dublin Game


Kegiatan bersukan harus lebih rancak dipergalak. Paling utama, kita bersukan bukan untuk pingat tetapi untuk sihat.



    
                                                          A group photo of Gabus Gebu Fc


                         One of participants from Cork observing a badminton match during IMG



I guess this is it for this entry. I would like to conclude by emphasizing the importance of sports and healthy lifestyle in our daily life. After all, sports is one of the many things that unite people from different backgrounds and it is an effective tool to create friendship and memories.

Till next time.