PETALING JAYA: Johor Jewels’ Pow Mei Foong can walk tall although her team did not win in the Netball Super League.
Mei Foong was named as the most valuable player (MVP) after her team Johor Jewels went down fighting 47-58 to pre-tournament favourites Kuala Lumpur Wildcats at the Stadium Juara in Bukit Kiara on Sunday.
The 28-year-old energiser bunny, who played as the centre, was hard at work but it was not good enough to upset the equally determined KL Wildcats powered by two national players, captain Nur Syafazliana Mohd Ali and Noramirah Dayana Noor Azhar.
Mei Foong, supported by two other national stars Nur Fariha Abdul Razak and Noor Azilah Aziz, could have pulled the rug, if they had fewer offenses.
Still, Mei Foong was beaming with pride.
“It was a tough game, our opponents had quality players to rotate, and they were strong in every quarters... but our team did give a good fight, ” said Mei Foong, who works in corporate sales.
“I was surprised when I was named as the most valuable player... I’m honoured.”
Mei Foong applauded the organisers for providing the netballers a quality platform to showcase their talents.
“All the matches – from the league rounds to the knockout stages, were shown live on Astro Arena. The fans got to watch how tough the matches were, and how physical the games can get sometimes, ” said Mei Foong.
“People used to have the perception that netball is for softies...it’s far from that. And this inaugural event was also organised in a professional way. It was a good publicity for the sport.”
Mei Foong, who was a member of the silver medal winning team at the 2015 Singapore Games and gold medal winning side of the last two SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur (2017) and the Philippines (2019), said the national team, would have to wait until next year to resume their national duty.
“This NSL will be our first and last tournament for this year. Most of our events have been postponed to next year because of the Covid-19 pandemic and unfortunately, there is no netball at the Hanoi SEA Games too, ” she added.
ROLL OF HONOURChampion: Kuala Lumpur Wildcats
Runners-up: Johor Jewels
Third place: Selangor Angels
Most valuable player (MVP): Pow Mei Foong, Johor Jewels
Best attacker: Nur Fariha Abdul Razak, Johor Jewels
Best defender: Nur Syafazliyana Mohd Ali, KL WildcatsBest young player: B. Pavitra Devi, Perak Phoenix
Top three scorers: An Najwa Azizan, Selangor Angels (369 goals), Puteri Intan Balqis, KL Wildcats (335), Nuraina Raziani, Johor Jewels (282)
Top three intercepts: Pow Mei Foong, Johor Jewels (52), Nur Firra Syuhada Hasrin, Selangor Angels (41), Nurul Hafizah Abdul Razak, Johor Jewels (40)
Top three passers: Pow Mei Foong, Johor Jewels (1122), Nurfariha Abdul Razak, Johor Jewels (897), Madzqirah Mazman, Negri Sembilan Venom (889)
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