By Natasha Jee & Amyra Varkisa
KUCHING: University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) student Nadrah Saufi who struck gold at the recent Commonwealth Esports Championship (CEC) 2022 in Birmingham has won some well-deserved praise.
“Congratulation to Nadrah “Nada” Saufi and her teammates of the Grills Gaming e-sports team for being the champion of the Dota 2 (Women) Events,” said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg
His congratulatory message was posted on Sarawak Public Communications Unit’s (UKAS) Facebook page on Monday (Aug 8).
Nadrah’s teammates’ included Stephanie “Aurora” Lim (captain), Wong “HG” Wei Sian, Bette “iStarx” Chia and Tan “Shizuma” Lyn Xhin who represented Malaysia and defeated the team from England with a score of 2:0.
With the achievement, it has made Nadrah and her teammates the first gold medalists of CEC Dota 2 Women.
According to the Global Esports Federation in a news report, team captain Lim said that she was really happy and proud of her team.
“I will be waving my flag when I get back to the village. And we will be eating whatever we want. We abstain from fried food and oily food before we play, so we are going to enjoy it.
“What makes Malaysia so good at games? We have a lot of different cultures in our country but we come together very well, and that is our strength,” she said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah also congratulated Nadrah for her achievement.
“Tahniah to Nadrah for being part of the Malaysian team that won three gold medals in the Esports Championship in Birmingham.
“She has made Malaysia and Sarawak proud of her achievements,” he said.
On whether any incentives will be given to Nadrah, Abdul Karim said there will be incentives.
“We have always stood guided by how the federal government rewards Malaysian athletes who win in international events.
“The amount of incentives that the Sarawak government gives is half of what the federal government gives.
“Not all sports events are eligible for this incentive but suffice to say, the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, SEA Games are games where Malaysian athletes who win medals will get incentives,” he said.
Abdul Karim thus said if the athletes are from Sarawak, the Sarawak government will also give the incentives which is normally half of what the federal government is giving.
Nadrah, 25, of Sibu has been hailed by UTS vice chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Khairuddin Abdul Hamid.
“I am so very proud of team Malaysia for winning the gold medal in the Dota 2 Women events esports competition.
“Especially to our young Sarawakian athlete from Sibu and an undergraduate student at UTS, Nadrah Saufi. Congratulations, UTS Megah, Sarawak Gemilang, Malaysia Hebat!” he said.
