By Sarah Rashdi
GOMBAK, 10 October 2021: Education is essential to pave the direction for further growth of an individual, creating a chance to determine the future and the ultimate way of life.
In the career of a football player, education serves the same roles because it knows no boundaries.
On 7 October, the public institutions of higher learning (IPTAs) has sparked the desire to seek out knowledge inside the self of 11 players from the national women’s football squad as they received the offer letters to pursue tertiary studies.
Wishing to avail themselves in the ocean of knowledge, the offer was accepted with open arms.
Nine offer letters to pursue studies at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) were issued to the players – Nurul Azurin Mazlan, Eva Oliviane Antinus, Waitie Taming, Nurfatin Rozani, Henrietta Justine, Nur Syafinaz Abdul Rajak, Felicia Laudea Thomas, Nor Ezza Ashikin, and Nurul Arliana Nabila Mohamad Ramadhan
While the remaining two players Nuralyaa Natasha Zulkefli and Grace Handirian received the offer to further their studies at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM).
The willingness to present the offer letters for the 2021 intake by the Higher Education Minister, Datuk Seri Dr. Noraini added more meaning to the ceremony which was held at Wisma FAM, Kelana Jaya.
The President of Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin, alongside his deputy, Datuk S. Sivasundaram, and the Chairman of FAM Women’s Football Committee, Datuk Suraya Yaacob, with her deputy, Dr. Siti Faidul Maisarah Abdullah were also seen to be attending the ceremony.
The cooperation between FAM and the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) was established on that day ,and when the opportunity knocked to get a good education, the players had to seize the chance.
Suraya had stated in a statement that cooperation with MOHE has depicted that education plays a big role in the career of a football player. Through this initiative, appreciation for the player’s services and contributions to the country can be shown.
She also hoped that the portrayals of encouragement to pursue studies by MOHE would trigger members of the community, especially the parents, to give opportunity for their children to partake in the sport as it could embark the spirit of education inside them.
The team striker, Henrietta accepted the offer to continue her studies with alacrity. She hoped to inspire the young generation to use every endeavour possible to unlocked the best accomplishment in life.
Henrietta was given the opportunity by MOHE and FAM to join the Diploma in Defence Fitness programme at UPNM.***