The Navy Mini Olympics 21/2010 – Rugby Final

Every two years the Navy holds a sports carnival called the Mini Olympics. For a period of about 10 days, RMN personnel participate as players, coaches, organisers or simply staunch supporters for the more than 25 sports that are being played. The “Navy People” are divided into four Formations known as the Fleet, the Fleet HQ, the HQ Support and the Naval Education & Training Command (NETC).

The Fleet HQ March Pass Team During the Opening Ceremony of the Mini Olympics

I am part of the Fleet HQ but as the Chairman of the Navy Rugby Association (Navy ORCA), I am supposed to remain a neutral party. My main task is to organise the rugby tournament which includes making sure the facilities are all set to host the 6 scheduled rugby matches. Not a problem as I have all the assistance I need. I am also the Chairman of the Appeal/Technical Board, responsible in handling any protest/appeal, as well as determining the level of punishment for any red card offence.

The rugby tournament came to a successfully ending today. The Fleet HQ deservedly emerged as the Champions showing a very dynamic Game Plan on the way to beating the HQ Support in the final. The tournament format only allowed each team a maximum of 5 Navy ORCA players to be on the pitch at any one time, forcing teams to use either junior players, previously “retired’ players, or in an act of desperation, even new players to make up the rest.

The two teams going head-on in the final

It was a dream final. The best of Navy ORCA players were divided between the two teams. Teammates were formidable rivals for 70 minutes. Forget my Navy ORCA game plan, their minds were only set on one thing; being crowned as the Mini Olympics Champions while earning the bragging right over the losing side for the next two years!!!!! The final was closely contested for most of the game, and the Fleet HQ only managed to increase the lead significantly towards the later part of the second half.

Emotions were running high, and at some points little “brawls” almost erupted between some of the players. Yellow cards were flashed resulting in a few players spending 10 minutes in the sin bin. Adrenaline rush sometimes triggers temperamental reactions and in the hype of a competition; common sense may not always prevail. There were deafening screams from the spectators which were further amplified by the thunderous beating of big drums by each formation. It was just electric!!! I know some people may have a different opinion about what they saw today. It was a brutal final alright. There were some really crunching tackles, but unlike the first day when two players ended up needing medical attention, every player in today’s final came out okay except for some bumps and bruises which I’m sure will heal in the next few days.

The Fleet HQ Team Captain receiving his medal from the Fleet Commander.

I for one really enjoyed the game. There were plenty of wonderful moves throughout the game and some of the tries scored were really incredible. The Fleet Commander and his wife were there and I believed they got what they came for.....a spectacular final full of actions and drama from the word ‘go’. I am very proud of all my Navy ORCA players who took part in the final. They played instrumental roles for their teams and it was somewhat cruel that only one team could be declared as the winner. At the end, I was extremely glad...and relieved, to see my players embracing their opposite numbers as Navy ORCA brothers, and all the rivalry, the crunching hits, and the battle scars were things of the past that they could talk and laugh about.

Both teams are Navy Orca brothers again

And yes...boys will always be boys!!!!!!

I LOVE THIS GAME!!!!!!!!!!

My family with Dato' Kamarul & Datin Azrina