‘SPLASHING FUN’ AT IREKA’S TEAMBUILDING DAY-OUT
Esprit de corps at its topmost form
Kuala Lumpur, 23 December 2011: Most people dread waking up early on weekends, but not for employees of Ireka Corporation Berhad (‘Ireka’) who participated in the Ireka Teambuilding Day-Out at Sunway Lagoon recently. More than 200 employees from all subsidiaries across the Group rose early to spend a fun-filled day with their fellow colleagues and members of the Management team.
The bright weather perfectly reflected the cheery mood of all participants especially when each of them were rewarded with door gifts such as shopping vouchers, electrical household items, hampers to even a lawn mower! They were then divided into 12 teams, with everyone wearing brightly coloured wrist-bands according to their respective team colours. Before kicking off the fun, all teams bellowed their team chants to uplift team spirit and got ready for both sessions of the day: Telematch and the Sunway Challenge (a la Amazing Race).
Telematch activities took place at the man-made sandy surf beach with every employee swinging into action. True to its name, the Gorilla Walksaw team members clutching tightly onto three balls in their underarms and between the knees waddling back and forth, drawing curious glances and laughter from bystanders. Looping hula-hoops twice seemed easy but not when the participants had to juggle tying a batik sarong around their waists and keeping it in place throughout the Sarong Race.
For the Lay N Eggchallenge, each team member had to piggy-back a holed up bucket with a ball to be dropped off across the track. Next, team members had to work in groups to fill up bottles with narrow openings either by cupping or wringing dry towels or tops soaked in beach water to complete the Wet N Wild challenge. The final match was an old time favourite – Tug of War, which truly tested the physical strength and endurance as well as putting teamwork to the test.
To end the Telematch, everyone was treated to a scrumptious lunch and an ice cream feast!
The ultimate Sunway Challenge began as each team had to collect 10 winning stamps by completing tasks given by secret marshals hiding across Sunway Lagoon’s Water Park, the Amusement Park and Wildlife Park – all within an allocated 90 minutes!
Every team devised their own strategies amongst themselves to locate the ‘hidden’ marshals based on the clues provided. All tasks were specially crafted to forge teamwork, and to test one’s leadership, perseverance and versatility. One unique task that most teams found off-putting was kissing a ‘live’ albino lizard to earn points, which made traipsing across Sunway Lagoon’s hanging bridge seemed like a breeze! Kissing a lizard seemed simple enough but for many this meant conquering their fear for the slimy and scaly reptile, for the greater cause – their Team!
Other memorable tasks included hollering and mimicking animals such as the eagle, monkey and bear, running through water jets spraying from all directions. It sure brought out the inner child in everyone while being soaked to the skin! Both the young and old also had to conquer their fears by sliding down a mat, chest down, overcoming at least 3 sets of giant slides, one of which was at a 90 degree angle!
“The Ireka family has grown in number in the last few decades, and is now so diverse in culture, demographics and ethnicity. Therefore today’s teambuilding day-out is a truly timely and great step forward to Ireka Group’s New Year goal – emphasising the importance of the “TEAM” which stands for ‘Together Everyone Achieves More’!” said Lai Voon Hon, Executive Director of Ireka Corporation Berhad.
First Prize went to the Pink team who managed to complete the highest number of challenges with merit points, as well as winning several Telematch sessions. Pink team’s leader, Mohd Shahzilee said, “The teambuilding activities were especially fun as it brings out great team effort and synergy going through all the different stages. It is fun to get together. It is even more fun to work together. Together as one, we succeed!” The Blue team who won Second Prize, and Third Prize winners Black & Orange team all went to prove that team spirit will always bring out the best in everyone.
In addition to prizes for the Top 3 winning teams in the Telematch and Sunway Challenge, a Lucky Draw was the sweet finale to this teambuilding day-out. A total of 10 attractive lucky draw prizes worth more than RM20,000 were up for grabs. The 10 lucky winners were all smiles when they took home iPad 2, Samsung Galaxy Tab, View Pad, air-conditioner and mobile phone as well as travel vouchers to China and Thailand. The Grand Prize winner, Nurul Nazia binti Mazlan, whose husband is also an Ireka employee, won the Grand Prize – a sleek Mac Air Notebook, thanks to the luck blessed by their 3-month old baby who also joined them for the fun day-out!
Indeed the day out was pure excitement, sheer entertainment and good exercise for Irekians, for employees of all different levels who were unable to resist joining in the fun. This is camaraderie at its best for Ireka – “1 Entity, 1 Team and 1 Commitment.”
Waddling with three balls in the Gorilla Walk
Looping through the hula hoops in Sarong Race
Testing physical strength with old time favourite, Tug of War
Mimicking and hollering like the wild animals
Pink Team bagging the First Prize inTelematch and Sunway Challenge
Lucky Draw Grand Prize winner, Nurul Nadia winning a Mac Air Notebook
More than 200 employees participating in the Ireka Teambuilding Day-Out
All Irekians had a great time, thanks to the organising committee of Ireka Sports & Recreation Club (ISRC)