Sports competition is more than an avenue for participants to have an enjoyable time enhancing their skills and promoting healthy competition; it is also a platform for participants to build good characters when they treat each other as equals and with respect. As they play with great integrity, the players begin to understand their responsibility towards their team and themselves, and as a result, they put in all their efforts to play the best they can. The AQUILA Cup 2023 served as an evidence of that after successfully organising a two-day competition from 26 to 27 August 2023 at IPRO Sports Center, Putra Sentral Terminal in Kampar, Perak.

The competition kick-started with an opening ceremony, officiated by Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology Dean Ir Prof Dr Ng Choon Aun. He was joined by Organising Chairperson Lio Yee Wee, Vice Organising Chairperson, Pavithran Tamilselvan, IPRO Sports Center Founder Eden, JCI Kinta Secretary Randolph Tan Chun Hsien, and Department of Soft Skills and Competency Kampar lecturer-cum-Advisor Fong Kah Hoong.

Prof Ng said, “Upholding the practice ‘by the people for the people’, this badminton tournament serves as a platform that realises our University’s commitment in fostering sportsmanship, nurturing talent, and promoting a healthy lifestyle among the students and the local community.”

He also said, “I would like to take this opportunity to voice my appreciation to several supporting partners of our event. For instance, our co-organiser JCI Kinta who is also our University’s MoU partner. Thank you for helping us build several good connections with the local government agencies for this event. I would also like to thank IPRO for sponsoring the venue and being the main sponsor of our event. Without your tremendous support, the event would not be such a great success as it is today.”

AQUILA Cup 2023 was also the beginning of an annual flagship project by UTAR, to build community spirit among the university, students, industry, and the public. It also provided opportunities for social networking and collaboration with the industry and community.

Strong teamwork of the organising committee, led by Lio and guided by Fong, resulted in the successful recruitment of over 100 participants from various organisations. Participants played enthusiastically in various categories; namely, Men’s Single, Men’s Double, Women’s Single, Women’s Double and Mixed Double.

With the attendance of over 1,000 spectators, cheers and excitement echoed loudly throughout the competition, as some cheered for their favourite teams; giving a melodious accompaniment to the crisply sound of the shuttlecock being hit, likened to an orchestra performance that truly wowed.

The winners and the prizes they won are listed below:

Men's Single
Champion - Tan Jun Qi - RM300 + 1 PROTECH badminton racquet
Second place -Teh Ming He - RM150 + 1 PROTECH badminton bag
Third place -Tan Yu Hong - RM100 + 1 PROTECH shoe bag

Men's Double
Champion - Leong Yik Hung (UTAR) & Tan Kai Shiuan (UTAR) - RM400 + 2 PROTECH badminton racquet
Second place - Jacky Puan Cheong Kit & Liew Wing Kean - RM200 + 2 PROTECH badminton bag
Third place - Lin Kening & Yap Zhan En - RM100 + 2 PROTECH shoe bag

Women's Single
Champion - Chi Lin Ching (UTAR) - RM50 + 1 PROTECH badminton racquet
Second place - Chew Pei Chin (UTAR) - RM30 + 1 PROTECH badminton bag

Women's Double
Champion - Lim Xin Yi & Chow Shan Ni - RM100 + 2 PROTECH badminton racquet
Second place - Ng Jia Shuen (UTAR) & Ashley Yun Wei Yuen (UTAR) - RM60 + 2 PROTECH badminton bag
Third place - Chuah Jie Min (UTAR) & Chuah Jie Ying (UTAR) - RM40 + 2 PROTECH shoe bag

Mixed Doubles
Champion - Leong Yik Hung (UTAR) & Ng Jia Shuen (UTAR) - RM200 + 2 PROTECH badminton racquet
Second place - Phoon Yik Yee (UTAR) & Chow Shan Ni - RM120 + 2 PROTECH badminton bag
Third place - Chin Jian Ming (UTAR) & Ashley Yun Wei Yuan (UTAR) - RM80 + 2 PROTECH shoe bag