Competitive spirit, friendship shine at Hainan-Malaysia volleyball match

In a thrilling showdown on Saturday evening in Puqian town, the Wenchang Rockets Team triumphed over the Malaysian Overseas Chinese Volleyball Team with a score of 3-1 in the 2024 Hainan Township Volleyball League Wenchang series. The friendly match captivated spectators with its intense competition, showcasing the competitive spirit and friendship of both teams.

The Malaysian Overseas Chinese Volleyball Team boasts a mix of players with extensive volleyball experience and young rising stars, creating a roster that transcends age boundaries, presenting a blend of seasoned expertise and youthful talent. Members of the team have all represented Malaysia in domestic and international volleyball competitions.

Rayner Eng, a member of the Malaysian Overseas Chinese Volleyball Team, said that for this event, the team arrived with a contingent of 15 individuals, which included a coach and a team leader.

"We are surprised by the vibrant and enthusiastic atmosphere at the township volleyball event. The overwhelming support from the spectators created a lively and fervent ambiance, showing a level of passion for volleyball that we did not expect to encounter," he said.

"It was a surprise to witness such a large turnout of supporters for the sport in Wenchang. In Malaysia, we do not have this type of 9-player volleyball competition; we had only seen it online before," Eng added.

During the breaks in the match, a special Malaysian cultural performance organized by the Federation of Hainan Association Malaysia heightened the atmosphere at the venue.

The performers presented a diverse array of acts, including a rendition of the popular Malaysian folk song Rasa Sayang and a traditional Chinese percussion piece 24 Festive Drums.

Lined up in a row were single-skinned drums inscribed with the words "spring equinox", "minor cold", "awakening of insects", and other seasonal terms. The 24 Festive Drums is a percussion performance created by the Malaysian Chinese community in 1988 and was designated as intangible cultural heritage of Malaysia in 2009. This drum performance brims with Chinese cultural elements, showcasing actions such as farmers tilling the land in spring or harvesting in autumn, with intricate formations and varied rhythms. What sets it apart is the absence of a drum score - each drummer relies on their imagination and creativity to compose the music.

"This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia. We look forward to seeing more individuals contribute to the friendship between China and Malaysia," said Dato' Lim Chiew Ah, president of the Malaysia Hainan Chamber of Commerce. "Sports are effective in engaging the participation of young people, while culture can foster mutual understanding between nations. Through events, we hope to enhance cultural exchanges and boost tourism and economic ties between the two countries."

President Datuk George Yong Ket How of the Federation of Hainan Association Malaysia said that the federation intends to facilitate the increased visits of overseas Chinese residing in Malaysia to Hainan province this year.