Warm welcome for M’sia’s golden girl

IT was a jubilant return to Malaysia for Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) student Tammy Tan Hui Ling recently.

A gold medallist at the World University Games (Universiade) women’s qiangshu (spear) event in Chengdu, China, she returned home to a rousing welcome from her university mates and faculty members.

Tan, a final year Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Actuarial Studies student, beamed with surprise when she saw the welcoming team, led by APU vice-chancellor Prof Dr Ho Chin Kuan, cheering for her at the airport arrival hall on Aug 5.

Also present were Higher Education deputy secretary-general (Policy) Datuk Dr Megat Sany Megat Ahmad Supian, the ministry’s Strategic Planning Division secretary Fazidah Mustafa, and Wushu Federation of Malaysia president Datuk Chong Kim Fatt.

“I didn’t expect so many of you to come here. Thank you very much for making the effort,” said Tan, who scored 9.613 points ahead of Macau’s Weng Ian Wong and Hong Kong’s Lydia Sham Hui Yu, who bagged silver and bronze, respectively.

Sharing her joy of bringing home Malaysia’s first Universiade gold since the country first took part in the games in 1985, Tan, who recently turned 22, admitted that she didn’t anticipate making history in the wushu event at the Universiade, which was held from July 28 to Aug 8.

“It’s unbelievable. I feel really happy to have won and to have brought honour to Malaysia.

“This medal is a gift to everyone who has supported us all along. This is not my effort alone.

“The contingent received a lot of assistance from the ministry, the Malaysia Martial Arts Association, the National Sports Council, the National Sports Institute and APU,” she said.

As national athletes, Tan and her peers received support from APU in the form of sports scholarships, as well as flexible schedules to accommodate their training.

Tan, who just completed her studies, is looking forward to her graduation.

“APU emphasises the relentless pursuit of excellence, which allowed me to strive for the best in both sports and academics.

“The best part of my student life was participating in various activities that involved people from the university, as well as unfamiliar faces.

“This created many unique experiences for me,” she said in a press release from the varsity.