After months of gruelling preparation, the fifth annual Youthwave Challenge finally took place on the 25th April 2009 at the Balik Pulau Stadium.
With four different games going on simultaneously - Floorball, Captain Ball, Frisbee and the latest addition to the family, Skittle Ball – it was quite a scene at the stadium.
While the Floorball and the Captain Ball Open competition were conducted inside the stadium, the rest were being played outdoors. The scene in the stadium was like a bee hive, never ending buzz of cheers and screams can be heard from supporters from every corner.
Youth Wave Challenge 2009 recorded a vast growth in numbers as compared to last year. Last year’s Youthwave Triple Challenge recorded a total of 376 participants.
This year saw an increase with the total of 618 participants!
The Floorball men had 19 teams, the Floorball ladies had 14 teams, Captain Ball (Open) had 27 teams, Captain Ball (Ladies) had 4 teams, Skittle Ball had 5 teams and Ultimate Frisbee had 6 teams. Statistically speaking, Youthwave is gaining much more recognition, not just in Penang but in Malaysia!
This year saw the participation of a group of young avid floorballers who travelled all the way from Sabah – Team Nomad. Another eye catcher was the rookies with great potential emerging from Saint Xavier’s Institution. It was a heated battle at the group stages and with only 3 teams per group, each game was a decisive step towards the finals.
After the group stages, the top two teams were given the green card to advance to the next stage. With that, the groups were now re-shuffled. If you’re lucky enough, you get into the ‘easy’ group, if not, then you’ll get a taste of the group of ‘death’. With teams like PCC and Ztec being title contenders, it wasn’t surprising to see them advanced this far. But hold your predictions, just when you think you can wipe out the underdogs out of the picture, they come barking back like fiercer than ever!
Third place medallist, Team Kaki Ayam (Minden UniHawks), manage to beat their counterpart, Kaki Perempuan, to bag them the bronze. It was almost déjà vu for them as history repeated itself.
Last year, the UniHawks saw themselves through right until the semi-finals but was forced down to penalties, in which, they failed to deliver and hence, disqualified themselves to play for the top spot.
It was heartbreaking but nonetheless, good effort to team Kaki Ayam of Minden UniHawks!
Salibandy! Co., not a newbie in Youthwave, once again made an impression in this year’s competition as they whisked past the groups stages and the qualifying rounds to land themselves once again into the finals.
Being the more experienced team, as compared to Team Nomad, it was easy to see why people were rooting for them to win. But fate has its own plan as the more experienced team took a humble lesson from the inexperience but yet determined team.
Having said that, great spirit and great sport by team Salibandy! Co. Definitely a team that deserved to be in the finals!
Now, it comes down to the biggest surprise of Youthwave Challenge 2009.
Team Nomad was virtually nowhere near the word “threatening”, or so we all thought.
A group consisting of rather young Floorballers from The Land below The Wind, they came without much expectation but in the end, they left us with such an impression.
From losing their first game in their first match at the early group stage, disappointed but still fired up, they pulled through with such determination that saw them securing a place in the finals against the much experienced Salibandy! Co.
A feat that deserves much respect!
The ladies Floorball scene saw a stiff competition once more.
At first glance, the dominating team seemed to be team Kaki Bangku of Minden UniHawks.
Again, fate has a cruel sense of humour as Kaki Bangku finished third. Sharing the same fate as their male counterpart, they couldn’t deliver when it all came down to penalties.
A good team with good players who generally plays well as a team but somehow couldn’t make it count in the semis.
The final match between Innechicks and Contact Sugar was a real nail biter.
Both teams were pretty equalled out in terms of speed, skills and team play.
In situations like this, it’s all about taking chances and exploiting every bit of mistake the opponent makes; that was exactly what the Innechicks did.
It was a close game but in the end, only one team stepped out as the winner and this year, it was Innechicks!
A big congrats to all the winners! Job well done!
To those the teams that did not bag home any medals don’t be disheartened.
As cliché as it may sound, we are all still winners!
And besides, there is always next year to conquer!
So after much screaming, cheering and adrenaline, Youthwave 2009 has come to yet another conclusion. 2009 marks Youthwave biggest challenge yet.
The success of this year’s Youthwave Challenge would not have been without the help from referees, volunteer helpers, sponsors from YEOs and VICO and of course, all the participants!
Youthwave 2010 awaits you with many more events, competitions and excitement!
