Sports and Bazaar @ Malaysian Embassy in Riyadh

Photography credit goes to: En. Hafis & Pn. Liya,  En. Arimi Ariffin,  Pn. Nor Maheran, Pn. Hasniati Azwa, and En. Meor Ibrahim

Thursday, 6th May 2010.

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The day dawned bright and clear after a night of heavy rainfall.  As participants started coming in to prepare items for the stall, preparation for various games also got underway from 6.30 in the morning. By 9.30 am, the first group of Malaysian kids to arrive with their parents were given a demonstration of Belon Acah or Galah Panjang at the Sepak Takraw court. The sounds of laughter emanated through the compound, signalling that the sports and bazaar had indeed started.

Warm-up session led by Ms Nurshibah was quickly followed by the heats for various  games including soccer-slalom, egg in spoon, sack race and three legged race. The events were all broken up into sessions for children and adults. As the day got steadily warmer, this was then followed by Water Balloon Pairs game which was won by the calm, cool and collected husband and wife team – Mr Mustaqim and Ms Nik Ilyana.

                 

   

A rest period then followed, for lunch and Zuhr prayers. Visitors took advantage of the lull in activities to enjoy the multitude of Malaysian delicacies that were on offer including Laksa Johor, Laksa Penang, Mee Goreng, Satay, Nasi Lemak,  a variety of Kuih Muih including Lompat Tikam, Karipap, Tapai Ubi.. indeed, the choice of food available for the day was mind-boggling. Others opted to stay cool with the highly popular Ais Krim Malaysia and Air Batu Bandung made the Johorean way, with soda water. Some took advantage of buying Kuew Tiow, freshly flown in from Malaysia.

                       

               

After the break as it was still relatively warm and sunny,  participants were invited toplay  traditional verandah games – batu seremban for the ladies, ceper for all and colouring competition for kids. These games were indeed popular among Malaysian kids once upon a time (pre-Nintendo and Play Station days,) and it is hoped that by the re-introduction of these games at the bazaar, they will once again be popular among our younger generation here in Riyadh.

At around 3pm, the final competition for the earlier heats session took place, quickly followed by the highly entertaining obstacle race for children and adults – with slight variations between the two.

                

Another quick break for Asar prayers was then quickly followed by the tug of war. By then the sky was overcast and it looked like the games was going to have to be cut short. Alhamdulillah, the weather held out and the Men’s tug of war was won by AF5 team against Al Malaz. The ladies then requested for a re-match between AF5 and Al Malaz. This was quickly agreed upon, and the result was a total “grudge” match, with the Al Malaz ladies winning the event. With one win apiece, the activities ended on a high note.

        

Finally, everyone settled down for the prize giving ceremony, followed by a lucky draw. The grand prize of a return ticket from Dammam to Kuala Lumpur was won by Ms Paridah Bahari (King Khalid University Hospital.)

Thank you to our sponsors for the event (MAS, Riyadh Chinese Restaurant and numerous others,) and thank you too for the support and participation from the Malaysian community in Riyadh. (List of winners will be provided, stay tuned.)