Chess Club Tournament Story:
UNITEN Pre-Nationals 2025

By Jane Dava

The debating teams from Brickfields Asia College (BAC) recently took part in the prestigious UNITEN Pre-Nationals 2025, held on 20th and 21st September 2025. Although conducted online via Discord, the tournament was highly competitive, drawing top-tier teams from several esteemed universities. This event offered both seasoned and emerging debaters a valuable opportunity to sharpen their skills in the British Parliamentary (BP) format.

Pre-Competition Preparation

In the weeks leading up to the tournament, BAC’s debate teams engaged in rigorous and diverse preparation. Beyond their regular practice sessions, they actively sought out additional sparring opportunities both within and outside their network, training at various times of the day to build flexibility, sharpen their argumentation skills, and enhance strategic thinking. This unwavering dedication ensured that when the competition began, both BAC A and BAC B teams were mentally sharp, strategically prepared, and confident to deliver their best performance.

Day 1: Preliminary Rounds and Break Announcement

The first day featured four preliminary rounds, each testing the debaters' abilities across diverse motions that ranged from feminism and economics to politics and the arts. Among these was a silent round, where results were not disclosed until the end of the day, adding an extra layer of suspense and strategic uncertainty. Throughout these rounds, both BAC teams displayed strong consistency and adaptability.

By the end of Day 1, BAC A, represented by Khor Xin and Summer Liew Yi Qin, accumulated an impressive 9 points, earning them the 2nd protected break into the Open Finals.

BAC B on the other hand , represented by Aaron and Muhammad Aiman Hafiz, secured 7 points, which qualified them for the Novice Finals with a 3rd place break in the Novice Category.

Day 2: Elimination Rounds and Grand Finals

With nerves high and stakes higher, both teams entered their respective final rounds determined to leave their mark. The elimination rounds were fierce, with top competitors bringing their best arguments and strategic depth to the fore.

In the Open Finals, BAC A went up against highly experienced teams and emerged Open Champions, a testament to their synergy, preparation and high-level engagement with complex motions. In the Novice Finals, BAC B proved equally formidable, taking home the title of Novice Champions after a well-fought and intellectually rigorous round.

Beyond team success, several BAC debaters were recognised with individual speaker awards for their outstanding performances. These awards reflect not only technical skill, but also the ability to communicate persuasively and think critically under pressure, skills that are central to the core of competitive debating.

BAC A

Summer Liew

Open Finals Best Speaker
4th Best Novice Speaker
6th Best Open Speaker

Khor Xin

3rd Best Novice Speaker
5th Best Open Speaker

BAC B

Aaron Roshan

Novice Finals Best Speaker

Final Reflections

The UNITEN Pre-Nationals 2025 was not just a tournament, but a celebration of progress, collaboration and excellence. Both teams from the BAC Debate Club showcased their commitment to the craft of debating, their ability to compete at the highest levels and their determination to bring pride to their institution.

With double championships in the Open and Novice categories and multiple individual accolades, the BAC Debate Club continues to prove itself as a powerhouse on the national debating stage. This experience will undoubtedly serve as a strong foundation for future tournaments, especially as the team looks ahead to the National Championships and other major events.