the Malaysian contingent during the parade of nations at the opening ceremony of WorldSkills Competition 2015 at Ibirapuera Gymnasium in Sau Paulo. — Bernama photo
SAO PAULO: It is the gathering of vocational experts and skilled youngsters in the 43rd World Skills Competition (WSC) opening ceremony, but don’t expect it to be a dull event in the land of samba.
The celebration, which started at 7.30pm local time on Aug 11 (6.30am Malaysia time on Aug 12) and dubbed ‘The world chose Brazil’ featured arts, music and dances through a performance with over 400 dancers combined with special image, sound and light effects that lasted for almost three hours.
Popular local artists, including accordion player Renato Borgueti; guitarist Gabriel Sater and Vai-Vai Samba School also took part in the event with model and television presenter Didi Wagner as master of the ceremony.
Twenty Malaysian participants wearing black suit proudly waving the Jalur Gemilang at the parade of nations in Ibirapuera Gymnasium here, will begin their quest to bring the long awaited medals in the competition which is said to be on par with an olympic event.
Over 1,200 young competitors from more than 60 countries are competing in the five-day, WSC 2015 in Sao Paolo, Brazil beginning Wednesday.
A total of 50 areas of expertise, including mechatronics, electronics, cooking, fashion technology, automotive technology, welding, piping and heating make up the competition held at Anhembi Park, the largest exhibition centre in Latin America.
Malaysia, which made an appearance for the 12th time since 1993 will participate in 19 of the 54 areas of expertise in the competition organised once every two years.
Deputy Human Resources Minister and chef-de-mission Datuk Seri Ismail Abdul Muttalib leads the 105-strong Malaysian contingent in the competition.
Among those participating in the competition includes Prime Minister’s Golden Hand Award recipient in the Youth Category 2014, Muhammad Hafiz Rohani, 21.
The student of Giat Mara Prima Tasek Gelugor, Penang will compete with 39 participants from other countries in electrical installation skill in the WSC.
Though Malaysia has not won any medal in the WSC, the national participants have to date, collected 36 medals of excellence, an award presented to those who earned over 500 points in the various fields competed. — Bernama