Confidence helps Emelda win 2019 ESU Public Speaking Competition

KUALA LUMPUR,  April 20 (Bernama) -- All it took was self-confidence for Emelda Sandrasagaran to deliver an eloquent speech entitled Nature is a Common Language that helped her win the ESU-Public Speaking Competition 2019. 

The Brickfields Asia College student, who walked in on crutches due to a torn ligament, was also articulate in answering questions from the juries.

"We Will Live Forever, They Said's title popped up in my mind when writing the speech and it did not take much time for me to generate the idea for my presentation," she told Bernama after being announced as the winner of the competition here, today.

Next, this 17-year-old teenager will be representing Malaysia at the ESU International Public Speaking Competition (IPSC) to be held from May 13 to 17 in London.

She also walked away with RM1,500 cash prize sponsored by Taylors College.

Imelda said she would do her best and wanted to be the highest ranking in the next competition.

"I will improve my skill, speech, style and language in preparation for the London event.

"I am confident with the help of ESU Malaysia, I will be able to give my best when I’m on the stage there," she said.

Meanwhile, Matthew Anderson Hendrick,18, from SMK Gajah Berang, Melaka appeared as the first runner up while the third place went to Mattew Ernest Paul, 20, from Methodist College, Kuala Lumpur.

ESU Malaysia Chairman and Chief Judge of ESU Public Speaking Competition 2019 Malaysia, Tunku Dara Tunku Tan Sri Naquiah Almarhum Tuanku Jaafar handed over the prizes to the winners.

The competition is open to all Malaysians aged between 16 to 20 and is organised by the English Speaking Union (ESU) of Malaysia in collaboration with the Malaysia Institute of Debating and Public Speaking (MIDP) and Taylors College, Malaysia.  

The International Champion at IPSC will win a trip to participate in the Feb 2020 Winter Youth Assembly at  the United Nations in New York.  

-- BERNAMA