Universitas Muria Kudus Won the Mid-Region of Constitution Debate Competition after beat the home team Universitas Islam Indonesia in mid-region final round. Photo PR/Dedy

“It’s like dream come true, we are on the final round,” said Angga, the spokesman of Universitas Muria Kudus debate team. Although handicapped by being pro at the drawing in final round with the theme ‘Remission for Corruptors’, the UMK could turn the prediction. Their argumentation could beat the home team Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII) and became the Mid-Region Winner of Constitutional Debate Competition which held on Tuesday (26/5) at Muhammad Hatta Auditorium, Universitas Islam Indonesia.

The UMK path in the competition was not easy. After passed the qualification round, the UMK directly faced the seeded team Universitas Indonesia (UI) in quarter-final. By nothing to lose, the jury’s decision which won the UMK shocked all debate contestants. The winning over seeded team raised confidence of the UMK. “The UI team is the toughest opponent we faced. Actually we were pessimistic to beat them, but we tried our best and the result was beyond our expectation,” one of the UMK team members Maria added.  

In the semifinal, the UMK faced with the Universitas Negeri Surakarta (UNS). They could beat the UNS and advanced to final round. “Face with the home team, we try our best because we believe we can pass it,” Alan who also UMK team member asserted.

The UMK could spend their best performance in front of home team supporter. “At first, we have high optimism and we want to prove that our university could compete with other universities. We indeed not a well-known university, but it doesn’t dampen our intention to perform in its best. The next challenge is in National Region, we should be better at the national round,” said Maria.

Being regional champion was the first time for the UMK. Next, the UMK represented mid-region at national round, accompanied by seven other teams, which were runner-up Universitas Islam Indonesia, 3^rd place Universitas Diponegoro Semarang, semifinalist Universitas Negeri Surakarta, and four other teams which passed on quarter-final Universitas Indonesia, UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Universitas Islam Sultan Agung, and Universitas Pancasila. (Dedy/Prasetyo Adi N)