>>> You are here : PRESS RELEASE / MALAYSIAN GAMES

 
Embassy of Malaysia
Paris

PRESS RELEASE

9/06                                                                                                   4 April 2006

It was an occasion that drew the Malaysian community in France together at one venue. The 3rd annual Malaysian Games 2006 hosted by the Royal Malaysian Navy – RMN Team (MINDEF) based in Cherbourg and Brest, was held last weekend on 1st and 2nd April 2006 in Cherbourg, France. Cherbourg, located in the north-western part of France is the home of 92 RMN officers and families under the RMN Submarine Force Project team while 156 submariner trainees are undergoing training in Brest, about 400km away.

The first Malaysian Games was organised by the Embassy of Malaysia in Paris  in 2004 and the Malaysian Association in France (MAF) hosted the second Malaysian Games in 2005. Both of the events were held in Paris and were popular among the Malaysians living in France. The MaIaysian Games have since then become part of the annual activities of the Embassy, with the objective to foster closer relations among Malaysians and Friends of Malaysia in France.
 
The Malaysian Games 2006 in Cherbourg graced by H.E. Dato’ Hamidah Mohd Yusoff, the Malaysian Ambassador to France, was also attended by H.E. Dr. Sharifah Maimunah Syed Zin, Permanent Delegate of Malaysia to UNESCO; Capt. Mohammad Rosland Omar RMN, Head of the RMN Submarine Force Project team; Mr. Tye Soon Kwai, President of the Malaysian Association in France (MAF) and Malaysian Embassy’s Defence Attache, Capt. Musa Omar RMN.

The participating teams comprised of the Embassy Team (staff of the Malaysian Embassy and other Malaysian government agencies in Paris), the MINDEF Team and the MAF Team including students living in Paris and Caen. The two-day event was well attended with a turn-out of 180 people, many of whom were  supporters and family members of the participants from the three teams.

The games was a huge success, gathering together Malaysians and Friends of Malaysia playing beyond the spirit of competition. Several sports were played including badminton, bowling, table tennis, sepak takraw and board games, such as darts, scrabble and carom. The children were not forgotten as they participated in the congkak and colouring contests.

H.E. Ambassador Dato’ Hamidah Mohd Yusoff presented the prizes to the various winners on Saturday at the Gymnasium Vielles Carrieres in Octeville, a suburb of Cherbourg where all the games, except table tennis and bowling, were held.

On Sunday, H.E Dr. Sharifah Maimunah Syed Mohd Zin, Permanent Delegate of Malaysia to UNESCO gave away the challenge trophy Piala Tunku Nazihah to the MINDEF Team which emerged as the overall winner of the Malaysian Games 2006.The runner-up went to the Embassy Team while the MAF Team came in third.

Despite the heavy schedule of the Malaysian Games, the host also organised programs that suited everyone. On Saturday, the “Badan Kebajikan Angkatan Tentera” (BAKAT) of the RMN Submarine Force Project Ladies Association, under the guidance of Puan Nor Aishah Mohamed Nasri, wife of Capt. Mohammad Rosland Omar, hosted a high-tea at the Guest House. The function was attended by PERWAKILAN Paris led by H.E. Ambassador Dato’ Hamidah Mohd Yusoff. During the function, the ladies exchanged views on their respective activities and took the opportunity to make new friends. The high-tea was followed by a friendly bowling match between BAKAT Cherbourg and PERWAKILAN Paris. 

While in Cherbourg, the Malaysian diplomats had the opportunity to visit the Naval Shipyard (DCN) where two Malaysian Scorpene submarines are undergoing construction. During the visit, the delegation was briefed on the progress and development of the construction by DCN officials. The submarines are expected to be delivered in the year 2009.

As for the children, they were taken on an educational tour of La Cité de la Mer, an oceanographic museum featuring an underwater and a submarine exhibition.

The Malaysian Games 2006 held in Cherbourg was a platform for Malaysians in France to display their sporting abilities and promote healthy competition. The sports meet was not just a tournament, but also a festive affair of fun, laughter, competitiveness, fellowship and a spirit of goodwill amongst the large ‘Malaysian family’ in France!   End

Encl: Photos of the Malaysian Games 2006 in Cherbourg.

Photo Captions:

Pix 1:  H.E. Ambassador Dato’ Hamidah Mohd Yusoff presenting a souvenir to Captain Mohammad Rosland Omar RMN, Head of the RMN Submarine Force Project in Cherbourg & Brest.   

Pix 2: H.E. Dr. Sharifah Maimunah Syed Mohd Zin, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Malaysia to the UNESCO gave away the challenge trophy Piala Tunku Nazihah to the MINDEF Team which emerged as the overall winner of the Malaysian Games 2006.

Pix 3: The MINDEF Team with the challenge trophy Piala Tunku Nazihah 

Pix 4: PERWAKILAN Paris led by H.E. Ambassador Dato’ Hamidah Mohd Yusoff receiving a gift from Puan Nor Aishah Mohamed Nasri, wife of Capt. Mohammad Rosland Omar RMN, on behalf of “Badan Kebajikan Angkatan Tentera” (BAKAT) of the RMN Submarine Force Project Ladies Association .