KOTA KINABALU (Aug 23): The Dharma D’Gaya team from the Gaya Campus of the Institute of Teacher Education (IPG) emerged as champion of the UPKO President’s Cup Debate Competition held at the Postgraduate Auditorium of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).
With the victory, the team — comprising Ezmal Padu, Nur Aisyah Aqilah Irwan, Said Yasser and Nurul Syahirah Sabaruddin — took home a cash prize of RM3,000 along with a trophy and certificates of achievement.
The closing ceremony and prize presentation were officiated by UPKO President and Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, Datuk Ewon Benedick.
The runner-up was the RhetoriGoats team from UMS, made up of Siti Nadjazuldina, Umair Sarip, Ahmad Faiz Zakwan and Mohamad Fazli Losimin, who received RM2,000, a trophy and certificates.
Third place went to the Tiga Serangkai Bersatu team from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), represented by Muhammad Syakhir Ifwat Abdul Karim, Ninexsionre Sulani and Chin Guan Rong, who brought home RM1,500.
The Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sabah Branch team took fourth place, winning RM1,000 through the participation of Mohammad Syafiq Amir, Siti Nurfazuanie Redzuan, Amisha Elyana Isnain and Maslina Jeferydin.
In addition, six other teams each received consolation prizes worth RM500.
Meanwhile, Ezmal Padu of the champion team was named best debater.
He described the competition as an important platform to enhance youth literacy on government policies and current issues.
“Competitions like this should continue because they help young people, especially in Sabah, to deepen their understanding of current issues while sharpening their leadership abilities,” he said, while expressing appreciation to the organisers for holding the event.
Another participant, Said Yasser, supported the idea of making the debate competition an annual event.
“This competition has provided a lot of benefits. I am happy that my team managed to win, and this was my very first debate,” he said.
The competition, which began on Friday, was joined by 10 teams comprising 40 participants.
Held in conjunction with Independence Month, the event aimed to foster patriotism while honing leadership talent, debating skills, and enhancing youth awareness of current issues.
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