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Mohamad Afi Danial Ramli Abu Bakar, an athlete from the National Defense University of Malaysia (UPNM), emerged as the champion of the first edition of Le Tour de IPT (LTdIPT) 2023. The race concluded in Putrajaya on Tuesday, showcasing Afi Danial’s exceptional cycling skills throughout the competition.
The Ministry of Higher Education (MOE), in collaboration with the Technical University of Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) and the National Cycling Association of Malaysia (PKBM), successfully organized the first cycling tour. Spanning four stages and covering a total distance of 332.7 km, the race provided a platform for talented cyclists from various higher education institutions (IPT) to showcase their skills.
The final leg of the race spanned a distance of 90.3km, commencing from Universiti Tenaga Nasional (Uniten) Bangi and culminating in Putrajaya. A total of 51 riders participated, facing fierce competition along the route, which featured two acceleration zones and two climbing zones. Despite the challenges, Afi Danial displayed unwavering dominance and crossed the finish line as the champion.
UPNM shines with multiple jersey wins
Afi Danial, representing UPNM, not only secured the prestigious Yellow Jersey as the overall leader from the first stage but also clinched two additional championships. His outstanding performance earned him the Sprint King’s Green Jersey and the Best Rider Under 21’s White Jersey. Meanwhile, Ahmad Irfan Abdul Hamid of UPNM claimed the Raja Bukit, or Polka Dot, Jersey. The combined efforts of Afi Danial, Ahmad Irfan, and Muhammad Iqbal Imran propelled UPNM to secure the overall championship title of LTdIPT 2023.
Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) A secured the second-place position in the race, showcasing their competitive spirit and cycling prowess. Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) displayed remarkable performance, securing the third-place position.
Celebrating achievements at the closing ceremony
Datuk Dr Pekan Ramli, Deputy Secretary of the Division, Sports Section, Strategic Planning Division, Ministry of Higher Education (MOE), expressed his gratitude for the realization of the tour despite numerous challenges.
The Closing Ceremony and Prize Presentation Ceremony, presided over by the Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, also saw the presentation of sports excellence incentives to IPT athletes who contributed 20 gold medals at the Cambodia SEA Games 2023. A total of RM64,000 was presented to 31 deserving athletes.
Several IPT athletes who emerged victorious at the SEA Games 2023 are preparing to showcase their talents at the upcoming World University Games (UNIVERSIADE) 2023. The event, scheduled to take place in Chengdu , China from July 28 to August 8, 2023, will provide another opportunity for these talented athletes to shine on the international stage.
The Universiade 2023 will be a 12-day event where IPT athletes from Malaysia will compete against participants from universities worldwide. The successful athletes from the SEA Games 2023 will carry the hopes of their nation as they aim to achieve further sporting glory and bring back more accolades to Malaysia.
The efforts put forth by the MOE, UTeM, and PKBM in organizing Le Tour de IPT 2023 highlight their commitment to promoting sports excellence and fostering a competitive sporting culture within the country’s higher education institutions.
As Malaysia continues to nurture and support its talented young athletes, the achievements of individuals like Afi Danial and the collective success of UPNM serve as inspiration to aspiring cyclists and athletes across the nation.
CJMY
C. Khor
