Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)'s Sportswoman of the Year Sakilah Sapar wants to see more women take up silat.“Although silat is often deemed a man's sport, women can also excel. Women should not be fearful or shy about learning silat. My coach has always advised me that our strength is in our hearts and not in our legs," she said after receiving her award at the annual USM 2007/2008 sports awards presentation at a hotel in Penang on Wednesday night.
Sakilah, 21, from Johor Baru, said she took up pencak silat seriously after winning a national tournament at the age of 14.“I hope to represent Malaysia in the next SEA Games,'' said the second-year Science Mathematics student.Sakilah, who represented Malaysia in the second Singapore International Open (Senior) championship, received RM4,000, trophies, a certificate and a hamper.
Sakilah's twin sister Salihah is also a silat exponent.
Salihah, who is studying at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, won a gold medal at the Sijori Karimum championship held in Indonesia last year.Sakilah received her award from USM’s vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dzulkifli Abdul Razak. There was no winner in the Sportsman of the Year category.
Karate-do exponent Lee Yuen Hoong and USM's swimming team members Ooi Tze Yang and Yeoh Soo Bee were announced winners of the university's Purple Colour Award.
The award is given to the best overall final-year students who excelled in sports while representing USM, the state and the country.Also present were USM’s deputy vice-chancellor (student development) Prof Dr Omar Osman and head of the Sports Unit Muhamad Mohd Hanif.
At the ceremony was also the hockey team who won the Best Team Award (Female Category), while the Best Team Award (Male Category) went to the basketball team.
Written by K. Kasturi Dewi
Sourced from The Star Online
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