What Does It Take to End a Six-Year Wait?

A championship can be won in four days—but a comeback like this takes years.

From 10 to 14 June 2025, the MCKK Cagers took part in the Kejohanan Bola Keranjang SBP Peringkat Kebangsaan, hosted by SM Agama Persekutuan Kajang, with matches held at Sports Arena@UNITEN Kajang and MABA Stadium. The name of the trophy? Piala Hamdan Tahir. The last time we held it was in 2019.

Six years. That’s a long time for a school like ours. Too long.

Our campaign began with a confident 63–23 win over SMS Johor. Momentum was high, energy promising. But in the second game, against SESMA, things nearly unraveled. We only just edged through with a 29–27 win.

“We definitely underestimated SESMA’s team after a big win the day before,” said our captain.
“I think we lost our rhythm. We rushed too many shots, and our teamwork just wasn’t there.”

It was a turning point; not in points, but in mindset. The team knew they had to respond not just with skill, but with unity.

And they did. We defeated ASiS 39–32 in the following match, then SAS 48–37 in the quarter-final, the team that had stopped us in our tracks the year before. Redemption earned, not handed.

The semi-final brought a familiar opponent: STAR. But this time, the response was decisive—71–45. Controlled, composed, clinical.

And then came the final.

SESTER. Defending champions. The best of the rest.

But MCKK didn’t just show up to play. We showed up to finish what we started. From the first quarter to the last, every pass, every rebound, every call echoed months of preparation and years of hope. Final score: MCKK 51 – 32 SESTER.

 The Piala Hamdan Tahir came home—to Kuala Kangsar—after six long years.
The MCKK Cagers are now 20-time national champions.

Our team captain was named Most Valuable Player, and another Cager received the Top Rebounder award. But the real triumph? A team that fought as one, grew as one, and lifted the trophy as one.

“We’ve been preparing for this since last year,” the captain shared.
“This was never about individual wins. We earned this together. And we deserved it.”

In the final, 80 Koleq boys stood as our official cheering squad, filling the court with the kind of support money can’t buy. They didn’t just cheer. They roared. Parents, teachers, and Old Boys were there too—clapping, shouting, beaming. Their presence meant everything.

This win wasn’t just the end of a drought.
It was the return of a legacy.
The spirit never left—it just needed time to rise again.

Six years.
One heart.
Twenty titles.

The MCKK Cagers are home, once more, as champions.

Congratulations to the Malay College Dark Knights, MCKK!

For the very first time, the thunder of Koleq spirit echoed on the international stage as the team took part in the Malaysia International Marching Arts Championships 2025 (MIMAC2025) at Stadium Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur on 25 & 26 July 2025.

The team competed in the “Drummers Face Off” category, going head-to-head with top-tier international teams from countries such as Indonesia. The competition was judged by a panel of world-renowned musicians from Thailand, Germany, the USA, and Malaysia.

Although victory did not go to the team this time, the fighting spirit of the Budak Koleq marked a new legacy and carved a name for themselves on the international stage in the world of drumline.

May the team’s relentless spirit continue to rise and never fade!

What makes a team exceptional? Is it the scoreboard, the accolades, the roaring final whistle? Or is it the relentless discipline, unshakable unity, and mental resilience forged across three grueling days?

The North Zone Fully Residential School Basketball Tournament returned to SM Sains Tun Syed Sheh Shahabudin for its second consecutive year, With high expectations and a legacy to uphold, the MCKK Cagers stepped onto familiar ground—not to relive the past, but to defend the present.

The Cagers announced their arrival on Day One with resounding clarity: a 48–5 triumph over SAKURA, followed swiftly by a 47–0 shutout against SAKBA. Dominant. Focused. Unrelenting.

But Day Two demanded something more. Three matches in one day was undeniably a test of endurance, adaptability, and strategic discipline. We opened with a 30–10 win against SMSAH, then dispatched SERATAS with a commanding 46–14 scoreline. By evening, we met SAINA in the quarter-finals, where the Cagers executed a precise and punishing 53–6 victory. Fatigue was real, but the mission was louder.

On Day Three, the semi-final against KUPSIS saw no drop in form—MCKK advanced with a confident 63–12 performance. The momentum was ours. But as we approached the final, we knew this would be more than just a game.

In the first quarter, the effect was visible. The crowd noise disrupted communication, the mood shifted, and STAR pulled ahead by a narrow margin. For a brief moment, doubt flirted with the sideline. But the Cagers did what they’ve been trained to do; they recalibrated, regrouped, and reignited.

Then, in the final quarter, the breakthrough came. Several back-to-back baskets, a sudden five-point lead—and the floodgates opened. The court came alive with purpose, every play executed with hunger, precision, and belief. The game ended MCKK 55 – 42 STAR. The cheers may not have been ours—but the game, the grit, and the glory most certainly were.

And yes, we emerged champions.
Yes, our team captain was named Best Player of the Tournament.
But more than anything else, what we witnessed was the evolution of character—of composure under pressure, of unity when it mattered most, of grace even in dominance.

They shook hands. They bowed to their rivals. They acknowledged every challenge with respect. This is what it means to be a Cager—open-hearted, gracious, and proud to represent Koleq.

I’ve never been prouder to write these words—not merely as a reporter of events, but as the team manager privileged to walk this journey with the Cagers.

To Coach, whose tireless leadership carved the path.
To the parents, the Old Boys, the Senior Assistant of Co-curriculum, and the teachers who travelled, who stayed, who cheered their hearts out; we felt your presence in every pass, every point, every push to the end. You were part of this fight. Part of this win.

This championship belongs to all of you.

What happens when discipline meets determination, when teamwork is forged through shared purpose, and when young men play not just to win—but to represent?

The Perak State Fully Residential School Hockey Tournament 2025 was held from 16 to 18 May at the Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah (USAS) Turf, marking the second consecutive year this venue hosted the prestigious event. Seven fully residential schools took part—MCKK, SABDA, SEMESTI, SESTA, IGOP, STAR, and SERATAS—all united by a common goal: to bring their best to the field.

The tournament began in earnest on 17 May, and it was MCKK who had the honour of playing the first match of the day. In the cool morning air, our team delivered a confident 3-0 victory against SESTA, setting the tone for the day. Later, under the intense afternoon heat, they returned to the turf and secured a second triumph—2-0 against SABDA. Two matches, two clean sheets, and a place at the top of Group A.

On 18 May, the semi-final clash against SERATAS proved a close contest. With composure and tactical discipline, MCKK edged through with a 1-0 win—securing a spot in the final. The concluding match saw our team face STAR, where despite a commendable effort and unwavering spirit, MCKK fell 0-4 to a strong opponent.

We emerged as First Runner-Up of the tournament, a result that reflects both the quality of our gameplay and the strength of our unity. Adding to this achievement, our goalkeeper was named Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament—a well-deserved recognition of skill, focus, and leadership from the backline.

There may be moments when the scoreboard favours another, but the journey, the discipline, and the pride we carry remain resolutely ours.

Because in every game we play, we honour the name.
We uphold excellence. We grow stronger together. We carry Koleq forward.

The STAR National SBP Championship 2025, held from April 23rd to 25th at UITM Seri Iskandar, Perak, was a thrilling display of grit, determination, and school pride. 32 of the nation’s top school teams gathered to compete from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. The tournament was more than just a competition; it was a battle of skill, will, and heart. And MCKK? MCKK proved that they were more than capable of standing tall in the face of challenges.

Tournament details provided by the President of the Malay College Football Association.

On Day 1, the group stage began with MCKK placed in a competitive pool with Sekolah Menengah Sains Batu Pahat (SEHEBAT), Sekolah Menengah Agama Persekutuan Bentong (SUPERB), and Sekolah Menengah Sains Rembau (SEMESRA). The first match was a demonstration of skill, control, and poise. MCKK dominated SEHEBAT with a 3-0 victory, showcasing their relentless attack, smooth teamwork, and sharp execution.

But then came the match against SUPERB—a match that didn’t go as planned. A costly defensive mistake, a missed opportunity, and the 2-0 loss left the team with questions, doubts, and a need to regroup. But would MCKK back down? No. They came back stronger, fueled by their resilience and the unwavering support of their Senior Assistant of Co-curriculum and their ever-encouraging parents.

Against SEMESRA, the Spartans displayed their true strength. With relentless pressure, quick passes, and precise finishes, MCKK won 2-0. With 2 wins and 1 loss, the Spartans finished second in the group with 6 points, securing their spot in the prestigious SUPER Stage.

On the final day, the stakes were higher. The quarterfinals brought MCKK up against Sekolah Menengah Sains Bagan Datoh (SABDA), a match that saw nerves of steel and a display of confidence under pressure. The penalty shootout was tense, but MCKK held their ground. Every penalty converted, every save made, and with a final save from the goalkeeper, MCKK secured their place in the semifinals.

In the semifinals, MCKK faced their fierce rivals, Sekolah Tengku Abdul Rahman (STAR). It was a battle that had it all: near goals, emotional highs, a free-kick that hit the post, and a defensive slip that allowed STAR to take the lead. Despite their relentless spirit, MCKK couldn’t overcome the 2-0 deficit. But did they give up? No. They fought until the final whistle, proving that the Spartans never back down.

MCKK finished in 3rd place, an achievement that speaks volumes about their grit, perseverance, and team spirit. This was not just a tournament; it was a journey of blood, sweat, and tears. The team’s dedication shone through, and their achievement reflects the tireless efforts of the players, coach, teacher advisor, and all those who supported them along the way.