SERDANG: The persistence of national netball player An Najwa Azizan in balancing her sports interest and studies paid off when she successfully earned a Bachelor's Degree in Communication at the 46th Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) convocation ceremony here today.

The 25-year-old athlete received her scroll from UPM Chancellor, the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.

"Even though I have to sacrifice many things, it was worth it at the end of the day," said An Najwa, who plays the goal shooter position.

Najwa, who has been active in netball for the past 10 years, said academics and athletes can go hand in hand if they want to continue to be successful in the future.

"I have to be aware that an athlete will not stay in the sport forever. We are exposed to the risk of injuries, so education is an added advantage for any athlete in the future," she said.


Meanwhile, former national diver Datuk Leong Mun Yee, who received a master's degree in corporate communications, hopes to continue her studies to earn a doctor of philosophy (PhD) in the field of sports science.

Mun Yee said she wanted to achieve significant success in academics after making a name for herself in the sports arena.

Meanwhile, a disabled graduate, wheel-chair bound A.Arul Dass, 52, who received his PhD in Bahasa Melayu said a lack of physical ability was no reason to limit anyone's achievements.

He said that the disabled must prove that they too are capable of success even if they redouble their efforts and sweat more than others.

"Everyone's destiny has been determined. We have to work harder to achieve it. We need to build our self-confidence to succeed," he said, who has movement problems due to polio at the age of two.

The Mantin-born said he grew up in a Malay community and often used the national language as a second language to communicate with family members.

-- BERNAMA