Team Captain Navid (right) and teammates hold up the trophy in jubilation

The Team receiving their mock cheque

Kuala Lumpur, 20 October, 2010 - UCSI University students emerged champions in the most recent Campus Dodgeball League (CDL) organised by the Malaysian Association of Dodgeball (MAD). UCSI University’s team, Devil Dukes, took home the RM10,000 cash prize and trophy upon defeating the defending champions, Segi University College’s Barbarians, 4-3. 

The UCSI University team had arrived at the finals upon defeating 14 other varsity dodgeball clubs throughout the tournament since the middle of September this year. The 14 player team of both female and male students from different ethnic backgrounds, all share a passion for the sport. Devil Dukes was one of the two teams sent by the University. The second team, the Red Legions, had been defeated during the quarter finals against the INTI Maestro team. 

The University’s dodgeball team also added a few more feathers to its cap when Sina Delavari and O Hui Lei were named the League’s best male and best female players respectively. Several other UCSI University students were also selected for CDL’s All Star team. 

Following the new format set by MAD this year, UCSI University had also sent a cheerleading team, the Dodgettes, a spokesperson and two bloggers. The bloggers submitted their blog entries to MAD, which was then posted on CDL’s blog, and rated by judges. The best spokespersons were then chosen as commentators for the finals. UCSI University’s Tyler Sern Liang Lim was among the four chosen for this honour. 

The University’s dodgeball team which was established as a campus sports association 3 years ago, has since gained interest and support among the students. Although relatively new, the novelty of the sports has garnered a following at the University, with an active group of students promoting and practicing the sports on a weekly basis. 

According to team Captain Navid Gazerani (Iran), the key to their success was due to the players’ close bonding established during the long hours of training. “When I became Captain, I ensured that everyone felt like they were part of a big family, and made it fun even when the training was intense.” In turn, Navid demanded high levels of discipline from his team members. 

Following their big win, the UCSI University dodgeball players are looking forward to bringing the sports to a wider audience on campus. Ahmad Nahri, one of the players in this year’s dodgeball team says that aside from being a unique sport, dodgeball is also a fun game to play. “Who wouldn’t like throwing a ball at someone?” he quips. He adds that aside from staying fit and healthy, the game also teaches one to be a team player while building confidence. “You have to move fast in this game, and be confident of the next step to take. A moment’s hesitance could cost you since that’s all it takes for you to be thrown out of the game.” 

UCSI University’s dodgeball team has been busy winning tournaments this year, winning first place for the Malaysia Association of Colleges and Private Universities (MAPCU) dodgeball tournament, champion for the Figos Cup and 3rd placing for the Jackpot Madness 3 and Hari Belia dodgeball tournaments. 

To see UCSI University’s moment of victory, see the video here.