Without failing, Akademi Pengajian Bahasa (APB), UiTM Shah Alam, has shown its dedication by cooperating with Projek Tongkat in another social responsibility initiative for people with disabilities (PwD). Projek Tongkat’s latest instalment, “Projek Tongkat: Stand with Palestine”, was jointly undertaken by three non-governmental organisations namely Bevital Humanitarian Relief Organisation (BeVital), Malaysian Humanitarian Relief Organisation (MAHAR), and Persatuan Bolasepak Orang Kudung Malaysia (MAFA). It was also fully supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) and Rakan Muda. Such a collaboration, which engaged APB staff and undergraduates, is indeed a manifestation of the academy’s philosophy that holistic graduates can only be produced through a synergy of knowledge and moral values.
APB’s involvement in Projek Tongkat: Stand with Palestine began on the 24th of November 2023 at UiTM Shah Alam with an intellectual forum that aimed at instilling awareness of the “Harimau Kudung” football team. Officiated by Dr Syamimi Turiman [Coordinator of Office of Industry, Community and Alumni Network (ICAN)], the forum discussion revolved around sharing the objectives of Projek Tongkat, as well as the national amputee teams’ commendable achievements and innermost hopes. The four forum panellists were Coach Sunny Shalesh (Technical Director of Projek Tongkat/Lead Coach of the Malaysian Amputee Football team/founder of Pan-Disability Football Club), Dr Ahmad Munawwar Helmi Salim (Director of Projek Tongkat), Mr Fakri Raimi Razak (President of MAFA), and Mr Wan Amiruladha Wan Mahzir (Captain of the national amputee football team – under 23 years old). The event was well supported by APB student volunteers and lecturers, such as Mr Azrin Raimi Ahmad and Mrs Hazrati Yahaya, under the tutelage of Dr Nur Huslinda Che Mat. The insights shared by panellists and Projek Tongkat’s players have constructed APB student volunteers’ new perspectives – that behind every disability lies invincible strengths.
The programme then continued for two more days over the weekend at IOI City Mall, Putrajaya with all Projek Tongkat’s team members and players, a total of 80 APB LG240, LG241 and LG243 undergraduate volunteers, as well as a few accompanying and supportive APB UiTM lecturers (Mr Amir Lukman Abd Rahman, Mr Zachariah Aidin Druckman, Dr Mohammad Radzi Manap and Dr Norazrin Zamri). A special booth was set up at the mall to encourage mall visitors to learn more about Projek Tongkat’s mission and values. The involvement of Malaysian celebrities such as the comedy group Zero, as well as social media influencers Balau, Arul Laroca, and Copot in the amputee football demonstration match at the mall’s Sports Centre, added unforgettable comical moments when they displayed apparent struggles playing football using crutches. The experiences gained at the mall have indeed achieved the aim of fostering a sense of volunteerism, empathy and inclusivity among APB undergraduate students for the disabled sports community.
The highlight of the three-day programme, however, was the symbolic amputee football match at Padang Sintektik Presint 8, Putrajaya. The night, which was hosted by APB LG243’s student, Ms Nur Alesya Sopia Anuar, began with a match between the Malaysian Amputee Football team and the KBS team. The KBS team consisted of YB Hannah Yeoh, the Minister of Youth and Sports, along with other notable celebrities in sports, entertainment and social media such as Giancarlo Gallifuoco, Sebastian Avanzini and Julian Bechler from the KL City FC, Mode and Azan from the musical group Ruffedge, Norshahrul Idlan (ex-national footballer), Ahmad Faedzal (ISN CEO), Taja (Meet Uncle Hussain musical group), Joshua Bechler (professional footballer), Dak Balau, Shahmi Sadboy, and Asyraf Aley. As a tribute towards the Palestinian As-Salam FC amputee football squad and an earnest symbol of solidarity towards Palestinians, the event continued with another match comprising all Projek Tongkat’s members, half of whom represented the Palestinian team. The motivating cheers and the bonds formed throughout the night beautifully wrapped up the event.
APB UiTM wishes Projek Tongkat’s team boundless success, and that the academy will continue to be a part of honourable projects involving the disabled population. Such initiatives will unleash more future generations that are equipped with excellence, integrity, determination, and compassion, regardless of circumstances – the qualities that are in line with UiTM’s core values. Indeed, Projek Tongkat’s tagline holds true, “No leg, no problem”!