N9 SIKHS Sports Club led the medal tally of the Malaysian Sports and Recreational Games (Maspore) 10th edition at Arena IRC in Bandar Sri Sendayan in Negri Sembilan.
With record participation of 826 athletes, the event marked its most successful year yet, representing impressive growth for the multi-sport festival.
Started in Ipoh in 2014 as a football tournament, the event has expanded to feature nine sports disciplines.
Games organising chairman Parsannjeet Singh Gill said apart from N9 Sikhs as hosts, the other teams taking part were Penang Sikhs Sports and Recreational Club (KSRSPP), Kuala Lumpur Punjabi Sports and Recreational Club (KSRPKL), Perak Khalsa Kinta Sports and Recreational Club (Khalsa Kinta), Johor Sikhs and Soti Squad Singapore.
“Maspore, which has grown into a premier sporting platform for the Punjabi community, is more than just a sporting event.
“It is a celebration of unity, culture and the indomitable spirit of the community, aimed at promoting sportsmanship and healthy living.
“It also strengthens brotherhood through sports, inspires the youth, preserves Punjabi heritage, values and identity, and builds lasting bonds across clubs and states,” he said.
The games comprised football (juniors, open and veteran), hockey (juniors, open and veteran), badminton (open and veteran), volleyball, bowling, British pool, netball, darts and tug-of-war.
N9 Sikhs grabbed nine gold medals, followed by KSRPKL with five, KSRSPP two and Khalsa Kinta one.
N9 Sikhs also won five silvers and a bronze medal.
Parsannjeet, who is also N9 Sikhs president, said he was proud that the number of women athletes in this year’s games had increased to 113.
“This is progress,” he said.
“It tells us that Maspore is becoming a platform where our daughters and young women see a place for themselves and where they can compete, lead, represent their communities and inspire the next generation.”
Parsannjeet said the games had, over the past decade, provided an invaluable platform for athletes of all ages to showcase their talents while fostering sportsmanship, discipline, teamwork and lifelong friendships.
“Every young boy or girl who puts on a jersey, picks up a hockey stick, steps onto a court or represents their club is another young person learning discipline, teamwork, respect, resilience and friendship.
“That is the real victory of Maspore.
“Medals will eventually gather dust. Records will someday be broken.
“But the friendships we create, the confidence we build in our children, and unity we leave behind becomes our legacy,” he said.
N9 Sikhs took gold in junior and veteran football, badminton open, bowling, British pool, darts, pickleball, volleyball and tug-of-war.
KSRPKL won in Under-13 and open hockey, badminton (veterans), netball and pickleball (veterans).
Meanwhile, Penang Sikhs clinched top spot in Under-18 and veterans hockey, and Kinta Khalsa took gold for football (open).
Winners for “Most Promising Young Player” were Rajvinder Singh (hockey – N9 Sikhs), Karanraj Singh (football – KSRPKL), Jasleej Kaur (netball – Khalsa Kinta), Raagveen Kaur (badminton – KSRSPP) and Aryan Singh (Pickleball – KSRPKL).
A total of 40 prizes were also given out in the lucky draw held during the closing dinner.
Parsannjeet said next year’s Maspore Games would be held in Ipoh, Perak.
