| | It was the 3rd time Volgograd was chosen to host the exclusive Malaysian Intervarsity Games, and what made it even more special was the fact that it was the 10th anniversary since the first batch of Malaysian students studying in various parts of Russia came together and decided to organize an annual sports meet. From only a handful of students representing their respective universities previously, this year’s STIG-X witnessed a total of 700 Malaysians from I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Russian National Research Medical University, Kursk State Medical University, Nizhny Novgorod State Medical Academy, Moscow Aviation Institute and last but not least our very own Volgograd State Medical University battling it out to win the title of Overall Champions with dignity and respect.
The Organizing Committee, comprising of 50 VSMU students, worked tirelessly and diligently from the end of the previous games last year in April itself to ensure that a master plan was drawn up from scratch, and the best decisions were made. More than 10 separate bureaus were formed, each with their own specific responsibilities and tasks. It was great to see a large number of volunteers and helpers who worked hand in hand with the committee to make sure everything ran smoothly.
Full credits go to all Team Volgograd’s coaches, captains as well as every single athlete who trained vigorously week in and week out, sacrificing their time and money all for the glory of their teams and VSMU as a whole. A million thanks also to our dedicated sports teachers who guided and advised us along the way, as well as made sure we trained in the best atmosphere possible for badminton, netball, handball, rugby, basketball, volleyball, ping pong, futsal, frisbee, sepak takraw and chess.
All in all, the games from the 12th to the 14th of April 2013 saw a great deal of the never-give-up spirit, the determination to win even at the very last moments of the game, but most of all, games played with sportsmanship and respect for the opponents. Shouts of joy and tears of despair were seen and heard all around Volgograd, but it was heartwarming to see these fierce opponents during the games, congratulating and consoling their fellow counterparts after the final whistle was blown.
The Organizing Committee would like to thank the following guests of honor as well as those, without whom STIG-X 2013 could not have been a success:
- H.E. Dato’ Zainol Abidin Omar, Ambassador of Malaysia to the Russian Federation
- Mr. Suhaimi Zainuddin, Director of MARA’s Office in Russia
- Ms. Najwa Musyrifah Ramli, First Secretary (Politic) / Consul of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Mrs. Fauzana Abdul Muhi, First Secretary (Education) of the Public Service Department (JPA)
- Mr. Teoh Seng Lee, Director of Russian Resources Sdn Bhd and Consul of the Russian Federation to Malaysia
- Dr. Vladimir Ivanovich Petrov, Chancellor of Volgograd State Medical University, Full Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences
- Dr. Victor Borisovich Mandrikov, Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs
- Dr. Alexander Alekseevich Spasov, Vice-Chancellor for International Affairs and International Students Program, Full Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences.
In a blink of an eye, the time came for the curtains to be drawn close on the 10th edition of the Malaysian Intervarsity Games. With Volgograd State Medical University having won 7 gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze medals in total, it was an even sweeter moment considering we as the hosts were crowned the Overall Champions and that all the hard work and sacrifices paid off. We thank God that everything went smoothly without any major hiccups and that our guests from all over Russia came and had fun in the name of sports.
We are truly humbled and honored that the Stalingrad Intervarsity Games (STIG-X 2013) enabled us to keep the Malaysian flag flying high in Russia, and hope that in next year’s games we will do equally well, if not better!
Daniel Mathen Mathew
5th year student of General Medicine
Project Manager of
Stalingrad Intervarsity Games 2013 |
