Written and translated by: Husna Shafiyah binti Hishamuddin 

Edited by: Suziana binti Che Wil

As the sun was about to awaken Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) , the ARCUPM staff had already gathered and started their Saturday at Padang A, University Putra Malaysia near the Faculty of Human Ecology. They were about to spend their whole Saturday for the UPM alumni programme; MEKAR Siri 32: Hamdan Cup Serdang Angels. The event, done and organised by ARCUPM, managed to gather the UPM alumni of more than 100 rugby players to come and unite back.

“As a player myself, rugby is the only sport that is fair for both teams, allowing chances to grab the ball back.” Alya Syakirah said, as she handled the registration section for the participants. 

While she continued to spend her weekend with the event, her perspective as a rugby player has not changed. Reflecting on the atmosphere of the event, she said, “However as an organiser, I could capture their brotherhood and spirit, as it contagiously spread all around. It is also surprising to see that they could maintain such spirit and energy despite being years apart.” 

For many of the participants, life has moved on since their university days. They have built successful careers, settled down with their families, and embraced new responsibilities. Yet, for one Saturday, they returned to the field where countless memories were made.  

Additionally, despite undergoing several name changes over the years, the Serdang Angels identity has endured and remains a proud symbol of the club's legacy. The name was retained as it stood alongside some of Malaysia's most respected rugby teams, such as Cobra and RMAF Blackhawk, reflecting the club's competitive spirit and reputation within the local rugby scene.

As time passed and players graduated from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), many remained deeply connected to the sport and the values they had developed on the field. Determined to preserve the team's heritage and maintain the strong bonds forged through rugby, former players came together to establish the Ex-Angels Rugby Club. The club continues to serve as a platform for alumni to stay connected, promote the sport, and ensure that the Serdang Angels legacy lives on for future generations of UPM rugby players.

The rugby players continued to conquer the green field, as the day brightened up the space. Laughters and cheers simultaneously enlightened up their sunny Saturday, bringing back the old Serdang Angels spirit all over the field. 

Date of Input: 24/06/2026 | Updated: 24/06/2026 | suziana.wil