A mixed team in action at the MAD intervarsity championship. — Photos: SHAARI CHEMAT/The Star
SUNWAY University’s dodgeball team Poseidon edged out their opponents in a thrilling 3-2 victory in the Mixed Category final of the Malaysia Association of Dodgeball (MAD) intervarsity championship.
In a nail-biting match against Taylor’s University’s dodgeball team Taylor Swift, Poseidon emerged victorious in what was a closely contested battle.
“This is our first time playing together as university mates, with players coming from different dodgeball clubs,” said Poseidon team captain Yong Yi Sheng, 20.
“The finals were tough but we managed to pull through by working together, despite initial struggles with team synergy.
“Our chemistry improved as the game progressed and we communicated well on the court.
“Our female players made key calls for attacks and defences,” he added.
Yong, who also plays in an external social club called Blitz Dodgeball Club and formed a scratch team consisting of university mates for this event, proudly lifted the champion’s trophy during the awards ceremony at KSL Esplanade Mall in Klang, Selangor.
Sunway University’s Team Poseidon with their medals and mock cheque after winning in the Mixed Category.
The championship featured two categories – Mixed category and Male category.
The event attracted participation from 11 universities from the Klang Valley.
In the Male Category, team Inferno from Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) narrowly defeated team Barbarian from Nilai University with a score of 4-3.
MAD vice-president Ramona Yuen said the association planned to organise more intervarsity games for undergraduates.
“The last intervarsity dodgeball championship was held in 2018, and then the Covid-19 pandemic halted the games in 2020.
“We are reviving the intervarsity games to provide players with opportunities to hone their skills,” said Yuen.
She encouraged more girls to take up the sport, highlighting that dodgeball promoted physical fitness through quick movements, agility and hand-eye coordination.
“Playing dodgeball can significantly boost confidence.
“It also provides opportunities for players to take on leadership roles in crafting strategy or stepping up during crucial moments,” she said.
Rachel Foo, 21, a player from Team Poseidon, said dodgeball was a game for everyone.
“I first learned about dodgeball when I was 13, and by the time I was 15, I was already competing.
“The game is fun, and it’s been a learning curve for me.
“Every time we play, we find something to improve on, which makes it even more challenging,” said Foo.
