KENINGAU: The Keningau Vocational College (KVC) rugby team from Sabah emerged as champions of the National Rugby Championship known as National KV Seven Series Final Round-Battle of Seven Sides held in Johor from October 31-November 2.
With this success, the KVC team successfully took home the championship trophy, challenge cup and best player plaque.
Second place was won by Arau Vocational College while Sepang Vocational College and Chenor Vocational College shared the third place spot.
The tournament organised by Batu Pahat Vocational College attracted the participation of 16 teams from vocational colleges across Malaysia.
KVC was the only team from Malaysian Borneo that competed in this rugby championship and they achieved a flawless victory record, winning every match without conceding a single point all the way to the final.
The team consisted of 12 players namely Dylan Ivander Lucas, Maxwill Bryan Majit, Angelo Ivans Juharih, Elvince Evenniee, Kelvin Aaron Mac, Leorisheen Lakai Moris, Mc Alfa Romeo Jupani, Zynn Alix, Enrique Oliver Lee, Wilderelton Jexter, Kornelius Patrick and Nevillee Misak.
The team was managed and accompanied by two teachers from the college, Nur Shiha Che Dir and Mohd Alfierahmie Nuid, and coached by two experienced trainers, Stanley Sedry Stephen and Mohd Harry Johari.
KVC defeated Sepang Vocational College in the semi-final with a score of 33-0, and went on to clinch the championship title by beating Arau Vocational College in the final match with a score of 20-0.
In the preliminary round, KVC defeated KV Balik Pulau (31-0), KV Chepa JR (31-0), KV Sungai Petani (17-0) and KV Segamat (24-0).
Dylan Ivander Lucas was also named best player. The rugby team is supported by the Titanium Rugby Club and the Keningau District Rugby Association.
The KVC team was the runner-up at the National Vocational College Sports (Sukov) 2025 in the rugby category held in June and most of the players represented Keningau in the Sabah Games (Saga) in October, where the district teams emerged champions in the men’s and women’s rugby categories.
The college director, Lumang Anak Lang, expressed his utmost pride in the team’s outstanding success in bringing home the championship trophy with an excellent series of match results.
He stated that his leadership strongly emphasises support for students’ involvement in co-curricular activities such as sports which he believes play a vital role in building student discipline and boosting their motivation to strive harder in all aspects, including their academic pursuits in the classroom.
