4th July
Swan, Ivan and I caught an evening flight to Wellington. Arrived Welly around 6-ish and was picked up my Mr.wiseman and his other half, Darren and Mag. Dinner at a Malaysian restaurant, KK coz.... when you go to Welly, you have to eat Msian food coz there's so many of them!!! Ivan's friend from Otago, Joey came along as well as she's doing her placement in Welly. We all sat down and chat for a very long time and eventually left as we were the last people left in the restaurant. We then went for bubble tea at this place called Lychee. Drinks were so-so but the company was great. Darren and Mag never fail to entertain us. Haha!
The night ended at D&M backpackers. A very cosy place where we watched some TV, chit chat before heading to bed. The owners, D&M were a very nice couple and offered us complimentary 3-in-1 Milo as well.
Check out time: 10 a.m.
Darren and Mag went for church and we went for breakfast at Wholly Bagels. They had so many types of bagels to choose from I didn't know what to get. In the end I got some cinammon bagels with garlic and herb cream cheese. Yummy but I think I still prefer the original bagels. I didn't want to order original coz I know I can get that anywhere.
Whilst Mag was having her interview, we decided to go for lunch. Walked around the mall and didn't feel like having anything. In the end, we ended up at the oh-so famous KFC. The KFC we went last year during our road trip to Palmy as well. Haha!!
Ivan and I were then picked up by his friend, Jasper, who let us stayed at their place during the duration of the Games. I call it JJ & T Backpackers. Haha! Jasper, Joanne and Teresa's Backpackers. These were the people Ivan met during his foundation year in Otago and now they're in Palmy working as pharmacists. It was a really nice place and it was warm too. Had a fireplace and... WII!!! Teeheee :p Now I'm regretting for not taking a photo of the place. So bad with cameras nowadays, just feel lazy takiing it out to snap photos.
Dinner that night was steamboat at home and it was GOOD! Especially in such cold weather, it was awesome and beats going out in the cold and finding food to eat. Another of Ivan's friend joined us for dinner as well, Nai Hau. They were all very nice people and took really good care of us. Jasper even gave us his room and he slept in the living room during the duration of our stay. They fetched us and picked us from the Games venue and always made sure there's food for us. It felt like mama and papa taking care of two lil kids. Haha!
Bersatu Games Palmerston North - This time, it's me writing as a supporter
Day 1 - 6th July 2009
Netball, Badminton and Soccer
Netball
There were less teams this year. It was only CMSA, WMSO, MUMSA and UMSA and hence UMSA got to play with all the teams and it was by points system. It was like these for all the other sports as well. The winning team from each round is awarded 3 points, each time gets a point if it's a draw and loser gets 0.
UMSA got third placing in the end. The standard this year isn't as high as last year with only 4 teams playing. The team consists mostly of new players and it was good to know that they enjoyed the game despite not getting 1st. They had that fighting spirit in them and I bet you, they'll be back next year stronger and better!
As for badminton, women's single and double won the gold easily. I only watched a bit and it seemed like Sharmyn and Hijrah weren't even trying at all. They played as if they were warming up, just hitting the shuttle to the opponent and wait for them to make a mistake. Mixed double grabbed the silver and I think men's single got a gold? not too sure. Lolx!
At night, we ate home again and had leftovers from the night before and char siew. Desssert was fruits with mango ice cream. One of Ivan's high school friend came along as well, who happened to be 1 of the 2 players from Otago. The whole time I was just entertained by listening to them talking. All the jokes they make and all the real life things that happened which happened to be rather hilarious. We wanted to go for go-kart after dinner but it was too late so we ended up buying some wine back home and played Wii.
Day 2 - 7th July 2006
Women's futsal, sepak takraw, basketball, volleyball, tennis
Women's futsal grabbed the gold. The UMSA girls were amazing!!! They lost to WMSO for their first game but I really reckon' it was due to bad ref's call and not following the rules and the goal was counted when it wasn't meant to. They were pushed pretty bad by the opponent and the goalkeeper, Wani, was kicked in the stomach when she have saved the ball. The girls were unhappy at the end of the game. Tried to complain but they say change rules and just gotta leave with it. The girls brushed it off eventually and played well in their other games, scoring goals in every single game after that, proving to WMSO that their goal against UMSA just isn't meant to be and that UMSA is the stronger team. WMSO draw a few of their other games, making UMSA the champions! Wooohoo!! Well done girls!! I have to say this year's futsal's team had way more experience than last year. Last year I remembered we were all newbies and so lost in the game. This year, UMSA had the returning top scorer- Naomi, experienced and skilled Zati who's good in both defence and attack, the fierce Wani with her scary goalie stare, speedy fizah, loud as xin, and trusty defence sharmyn. To see them play was like.. WOW!! I wished I had their skills man....
aiyahh!! no fight la tennis.. Swan played like a pro only along with her doubles partner, Sarah and grabbed the gold easily. I watched only one game and knew they'd win it. A few of us were behind talking about bumblebee and she still could concentrate in the game. Haha! I'm pretty sure she heard us, eh swannie? lol!!
Basketball was initially outdoors and it was meant to start at 8 but then got delayed till don't know what time. UMSA only got to play one half of the game outdoor and then it rained. Thankfully it rained and it was moved to the rec centre. Way better coz you can see more skills as they're less afraid of falling down. One thing is, outdoor photos turn out better. Hahaha!! UMSA won every single game of theirs and grabbed the gold finally!! After last year's disappointment, so happy for them!! UMSA have never got a gold for basketball for who knows how many years?
Day 3- 8th July 2009
But... MUMSA is strong. Again, hands down to them for playing so well. By looking at them playing against other teams, it was very clear that they're the strongest ones and if UMSA wants to win, they have to start coming up with strategies and lock them down. They eventually did and put up a good fight for MUMSA from what I saw. During the super lunch break, the players were all trying to discuss strategies. After lunch, it was the closest game ever with a lost of 1 or 2 points. One of the point wasn't really my cup of tea because the ref blew the whistle, UMSA players stopped and looked at the ref, and MUMSA scores and a point to MUMSA. ohhh well..... still, no hard feelings. To have UMSA putting up a good fight for them was impressive enough. To see how MUMSA have improved over the years, was a privilege. It was just only a point that's unfair but really, they do deserve it.
Day 4- 9th July 2009
Athletics
We got to sleep in a wee bit as it starts at 10am. Massey has a proper running track and it was so cool!! I never got to run on a track before and I really wanted to run just for the sake of being able to compete on a track. Back in Christchurch 2007, it was just on grass!!
The UMSA girls dominated most of their events. Fizah was just too fast for anyone (100m silver, 200m gold). That girl can sprint man! The day before when they were just doing a few runs with guys, she was only like a second behind the guys. So good man!!! And Margaret (400m gold), the kaki ayam 400m runner was just leading all the way. Fuyohhh!!!!!! And i think Wani got a bronze? And who knew... Nay-Oh-Mee can run too!! silver for 200m! I forgotten the results of the relay but the girls won 400m relay gold. I think 100m relay was bronze? They didn't fair too well in that coz one of the girls had a cramp.
And again, like last year, we had to rush and get ready for the dinner. The bus dropped us at the hotel, Ivan and I had to grab a cab to go to his friend's house. Showered, change and then it was out of the hosue back to the hotel, hoping we would be able to catch the bus in time. Thankfully, we did. All thanks to Malaysian timing.
As for UMSA, we did fantastic!! Retaining our Champion title for the 2nd year. What's impressive is that the players were mostly first years, all new to the team with high enthusiasm. It shows that UMSA has a great pool of growing talents popping up each year. Best female and male athletes were also dominated by UMSA players, with the female being Fizah, first year in Bersatu. She's full of energy and runs damn freaking fast!! The male being a veteran, my significant other. Hahaha! Am very happy for him as he's been wanting it for years and now he finally got it. Never give up for nothing is impossible. It was so funny how throughout the games he was just counting how many medals he've won and trying to find out who's got more than him. Lolx!! Well done!
And so, that is it for the Bersatu Games 2009. My 4th year, in the eyes of a supporter. Once again, a big congrats to UMSA for being the champion. Keep it up for next year!!! Woot wooot!!!



































