Dashing through the island

An organising committee member showing participants the proper way to weave ketupat using ribbons.

THIRTY-SIX participants pushed themselves to the limits during the ‘Island Dash’ cultural race organised by KDU University College Penang branch.

From weaving ketupat, playing chapteh (feather ball) and writing Chinese calligraphy to performing tai chi, the event saw participants divided into nine teams and completing those challenges at popular tourist spots on Penang island.

One of them, student Elaine Tan, 22, tried her hand at weaving the yellow and green ketupat.

“It was quite hard in the beginning but I think I’ve got a grasp of it now,” she said.

Her teammate Yong Phey Jo, 20, said weaving ketupat was an eye- opener, adding that it was not as hard as she first thought.

Spotted stretching herself while balancing a cup on her head was Crystal Choo, 19.

“I practised tai chi when I was in secondary school but this is the first time I balanced a cup on my head,” she said when met at the Penang Botanic Gardens recently.

Muhammad Muaz (right) checking on a group in the puzzle   arranging task at the final station of the ‘Island Dash’ cultural race.

At the checkpoint at Lee Jetty, Nor Ardina Nordin tried writing Chinese calligraphy for the first time.

“It is not really hard as I was guided by the crew,” the 22-year-old shop supervisor said.

After spending two hours under the scorching sun, Nor Ardina’s team ‘Yin Yang’ emerged victorious in the race.

She said among the most difficult tasks were to pick up beans with a pair of chopsticks and to keep the chapteh in the air with their feet.

“It was nice but tiring. We enjoyed ourselves and the crew were helpful and supportive during the tasks,” she said.

Participants holding up colourful chapteh (feather ball) at the event. — Photos: ZAINUDIN AHAD/The Star

Project supervisor Andrew Wilfred, who is also the university college’s senior lecturer, said 16 of his students were involved in organising the race.

“We adopted the ‘Amazing Race’ concept, with 10 checkpoints featuring mostly traditional and cultural games.

“It was a two-in-one event, where participants got to visit tourist destinations in Penang and play games at the same time,” he said.

Project director Muhammad Muaz Abdul Rahim said the biggest hurdle was to get public participation.

“It took us 10 weeks to prepare for the race.

A zumba session before the start of the ‘Island Dash’ cultural race.

“We promoted the event on social media but the initial response was not as good as expected.

“Then we walked around the campus and also forwarded the message to our friends,” the 22-year-old student said.

The cultural race was held to mark KDU University College Penang branch’s Open Day on March 30 and 31.

Present at the opening ceremony were KDU Penang vice-chancellor Professor Dr Chong Beng Keok and School of Mass Communication head Dr Tan Lee Ooi.