KUALA LUMPUR — The Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK) is gearing up to add another championship title to its rugby legacy through the MCKK Premier Sevens.
The 11th edition championship returns after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, scheduled for September 29 to October 1.
With one title to their name, achieved in 2013, Malay College Old Boys Association (MCOBA) president Tunku Datuk Ahmad Burhanuddin Tunku Adnan said the school hopes to raise their game.
“This is an important tournament not only for MCKK but also for Malaysian rugby in general, as the best schools come together to compete alongside some very strong international teams.
“Looking at what has happened over the past decade (since MCKK last won), it is sad, but when you lose to a better team, it is okay as we go back to the drawing board and look to improve ourselves every year,” he said when met during the Premier Sevens launch here, today.
The championship is expected to be another highly competitive edition as it will showcase the cream of Malaysian schools’ rugby talent, accentuating the tournament’s significance after its recent hiatus.
Defending champions Maktab Sultan Abu Bakar, also known as English College Johore Bahru, will lead a stellar cast that also includes Japan-based Shizuoka Seiko Academy, Indonesia-based SMA Darunnajah, as well as debutants Maktab Sabah and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tun Hussein Onn (Johor).
Meanwhile, tournament director Amrul Hazarin, also Malaysia Rugby’s honorary secretary, said the organising committee has diligently worked to revive the legacy of the championship.
“The global pandemic has given us the time to review and improve on this prestigious tournament.
“We are happy that we have managed to revive this tournament, we can’t just let it vanish as this tournament has a special place in every rugby enthusiast’s heart in Malaysia.
“As always, we are committed to raising the image of rugby in schools and nurturing the next generation of promising stars.
“On top of that, this event is also a platform for us to showcase the beauty of our nation, with Kuala Kangsar taking centre stage for both our international visitors and locals,” said Amrul.
The Premier Sevens enjoys the support of Telekom Malaysia (TM) as the title sponsor, along with backing from the Education Ministry, Youth and Sports Ministry, and Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry.
The competition will feature 24 schools competing for the coveted NJ Ryan trophy, which was named after the late Datuk Neil Jonathan Ryan, one of the earliest British headmasters when MCKK was established.
The matches follow the variation of the World Rugby Sevens Series format. — September 20, 2023