Kuala Lumpur: The hectic schedule of daily training and representing the country at the international arena did not prevent three national athletes from becoming university graduates after completing their studies in Sports Science at the University of Malaya (UM).Diving queen Pandelela Rinong, hockey player Mohd Fitri Saari and futsal player Nurul Atiqah Zaifulizan received their Bachelor's Degree in Sports Science Management scrolls at the 58th UM Convocation Ceremony at the Tunku Chancellor Hall, here, Tuesday.
Pandelela who was met by reporters after the ceremony, said she was happy to be called a graduate after toiling for five years dividing her time between daily training and lectures at UM.
"I dedicate my achievement today to my parents, classmates and also to those who supported me as a student as well as an athlete. My feelings today are the same as when I won a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics," said the Sarawak lass.
Sharing her views was Mohd Fitri who dedicated the scroll he received to his parents Saari Zakaria and Asiah Abdullah who gave him a lot of encouragement until he succeeded in completing his studies even though he was busy with the responsibility of being a national hockey player.
"I am happy to receive my degree today because I had to carefully divide my time between training in the morning and attending lectures at UM, and after this maybe I will try to get a job with the National Sports Council in the near future," said Mohd Fitri who will now focus fully to help the national squad in international tournaments.
The three athletes were among 5,279 graduates who received their scrolls at the UM Convocation Ceremony which ran for four days since Saturday.
National taekwondo athlete Ryan Chong Wy Lunn received his scroll for Degree in Sports Science on Monday night. – Bernama
