Afghanistan, Malaysian Participants Win International Malay Language Oratory Contest

PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia), March 9 (Bernama) -- Sebghatullah Qazizada (right), from Afghanistan, was today named the winner for the international category in the International Malay Language Oratory Contest for the Malaysian Prime Minister's Trophy held at the Putrajaya International Convention centre (PICC), Thursday. Malaysian participant, Fathiah Ibrahim, came up the winner for the 'nusantara' category. They beat six participants in the final round to win the trophy and each of them took home the challenge trophy, US$5,000 (RM15,000) and certificate, among other prizes. A total of 69 participants from 64 countries took part in the contest. The second place in the international category was won by Polina Matveycheva (Russia), while third by Elena Vorobyeva (Latvia). Yota Tamura, from Japan, and Marina Makarova, from Moldova, also made it to the final for the international category. For the 'nusantara' category, the second prize went to Dayangku Mumtazah Pengiran Md Jaafar, from Brunei, and Wahyudi, from Indonesia, won third place. Second prize winners took home a cash prize of US$3,000 (RM9,000), while the cash prize for the third winner is US$2,000 (RM6,000). Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak (left) presented the awards to the both winners. (photoBERNAMA) MALAYSIA