Cultivating a stronger sporting spirit

Started in 2008 by the Johor Chapter of the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH), the ninth edition of this annual sports meet known as MAH Johor Games 2019, concluded successfully after three days of friendly competition.

The Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH)
Johor chapter Games 2019 had a record number of 21
participants from hotels and resorts in Johor

This friendly sporting event aims to foster better relationships among hoteliers and strengthen their network in this industry.

It is also a platform for participants to showcase their athletic skills and develop a better sporting spirit as they bond as team members and enjoy friendly but competitive games.

This year, some 162 athletes representing 21 hotels in Johor competed in seven types of games to make MAH Johor Games 2019 a roaring success.

The participating hotels and resorts (in alphabetical order) were Amari Johor Baru, AmanSari Residence Resort, Berjaya Waterfront Johor Baru, DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Baru, Fraser Place Johor Baru, Forest City Phoenix International Hotel, GBW Hotel, Hotel Granada, Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, KSL Resort, Lakeview Terrace Resort, Legoland Malaysia Resort, Le Grandeur Palm Resort, Mutiara Johor Baru, Pulai Springs Resort, Ponderosa Golf & Country Club, Renaissance Johor Baru, Sand & Sandals Resort & Spa Desaru Beach, Swiss Inn Johor Baru, Tanjung Puteri Resort and Thistle Johor Baru.

Trophies for the top three overall teams

The event kicked off on July 17 at Le Grandeur Palm Resort with an opening ceremony that included a relay where the official baton was passed among participating teams.

Led by the games’ Organising Chairman, Mohd Najib Sedik from Pulai Springs Resort, the baton was finally passed to MAH Johor Chapter Chairman, Ivan Teo, who then declared the games open.

Day One of the competition started with a warm-up session of aerobic and cheerleading performances by the participating teams, followed by a two competition games: Volleyball and Bowling.

Medal, souvenir T-shirt and certificates to all winners

In Volleyball, Legoland Malaysia Resort emerged as champion while KSL Resort took second place and Le Grandeur Palm Resort was placed third.

In Bowling, the team from Le Grandeur Palm Resort was the champion while Pulai Springs Resort was in second place and KSL Resort came in third.

Day Two of the competition was held at Daiman Sports Center on July 24 for competitions in Badminton and Futsal.

In Badminton, DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Baru emerged as champion while AmanSari Residence Resort took second place and Legoland Malaysia Resort was placed third.

In Futsal, the team from Legoland Malaysia Resort was the champion while DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Baru was in second place and KSL Resort came in third.

A section of the participants gathered in Dewan
Kencanapuri, Pulai Springs Resort, for the prize-giving

On Day Three, the final day of the competition, three competition games were played in Pulai Springs Resort: Netball, Table-Tennis and Carom.

In Netball, the team from KSL Resort was the champion while Legoland Malaysia Resort was in second place and Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast came in third.

In Carom, Renaissance Johor Baru were the champion while Amari Johor Baru was in second place and third place went to Ponderosa Golf & Country Club.

In Table-Tennis, Mutiara Johor Baru came out tops as champion while GBW Hotel took second place and Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast was placed third.

Organising Chairman, Mohd Najib Sedik,
presenting his speech

The day’s competition ended with the event closing ceremony held at Pulai Springs Resort’s recently refurbished Dewan Kencanapuri.

The sporting spirit was strong as the teams gathered in the hall, proudly waving flags emblazoned with their hotel logo and cheering for each other as the winners were rewarded with medals.

While all the athletes received certificates of participation, the work undertaken by members of the organizing committee and sub-committee were also recognised with certificates.

“All are winners because you participated with the spirit of sportsmanship,” declared the games’ Organising Chairman, Mohd Najib Sedik in his speech.

In closing, MAH Johor Chapter Chairman, Ivan Teo, commended the organisers for their effort in bringing together a record number of participants from 21 established hotels and resorts to compete and win the challenge trophy.

MAH Johor Chapter Chairman, Ivan Teo,
speaking at the event closing ceremony

“It is not whether you win or lose. It’s all about good sportsmanship, having fun and cheering for our teams,” said Teo.

He also appreciated the hotel general managers who attended the sports event to give support to their teams who participated in various games.

Finally, the games’ top three overall champions were announced and each team was rewarded with a trophy and of course, loud applause.

The second Runner-Up was DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Baru while the first Runner-up was KSL Resort.

Amid deafening cheers and much flag-waving, the team from Legoland Malaysia Resort was acknowledged as the MAH Johor Games 2019 overall champion.

The team from Legoland Malaysia Resort was acknowledged as the overall champion of the MAH Johor Games 2019

The team proudly accepted their trophies and raised the challenge trophy, thrilled to retain it for the year until the next games when it would go to the next overall champion.

The event came to a close with a delightful dinner arranged by the banquet team at Pulai Springs Resort.