Self-confidence helps 17-year-old take the title in nationwide public speaking competition

KUALA LUMPUR, April 20 -- English Speaking Union (ESU) Public Speaking Competition 2019 Champion, Imelda Sandrasagaran (second, left) with Chairman of ESU Malaysia, Tunku Dara Tunku Tan Sri Naquiah Almarhum Tuanku Jaafar (second, right) during prize giving ceremony after winning the competition at Taylors University today. Imelda won RM1,500 cash and she will represent Malaysia in the ESU International Public Speaking Competition (IPSC) 2019 in London. Also Present, Taylors College Campus Director Josephine Tan (right) and Malaysian Institute for Debate Public Speaking (MIDP) Chief Executive Officer Emellia Shariff (left). --fotoBERNAMA (2019) COPYRIGHTS RESERVED

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): All it took was self-confidence for Imelda Sandrasagaran to deliver an eloquent speech entitled "Nature is a Common Language" that helped her win the ESU-Public Speaking Competition 2019. 

The Brickfields Asia College student, who walked to the stage on crutches due to a torn ligament, was also articulate in answering questions from the jury.

"The title 'We Will Live Forever, They Said' popped into my mind when writing the speech and it did not take much time for me to generate the idea for my presentation," she told Bernama after being announced as the winner of the competition here Saturday.

Next, this 17-year-old will represent Malaysia at the ESU International Public Speaking Competition (IPSC) to be held from May 13 to 17 in London.

She also walked away with a RM1,500 cash prize sponsored by Taylors College.

Imelda said she would do her best and wanted to be the highest ranking in the next competition.

"I will improve my skill, speech, style and language in preparation for the London event.

"I am confident that with the help of ESU Malaysia, I will be able to give my best when I'm on the stage there," she said.

Meanwhile, Matthew Anderson Hendrick, 18, from SMK Gajah Berang, Melaka, was the first runner-up while the third place went to Mattew Ernest Paul, 20, from Methodist College, Kuala Lumpur.

ESU Malaysia Chairman and the chief judge of the ESU Public Speaking Competition 2019 Malaysia, Tunku Dara Tunku Tan Sri Naquiah Almarhum Tuanku Jaafar handed over the prizes to the winners.

The competition is open to all Malaysians aged from 16 to 20 and is organised by the English Speaking Union (ESU) of Malaysia in collaboration with the Malaysia Institute of Debating and Public Speaking (MIDP) and Taylors College, Malaysia.   The International Champion at IPSC will win a trip to participate in the Feb 2020 Winter Youth Assembly at the United Nations in New York. - Bernama