NottinghamUniMalaysia backsrisingshuttler
BALANCING between studies and sport is quite challenging as it requires mental, emotional and, of course, physical strength. For rising national badminton player Lee Shun Mei, she would have to get used to her new routine as a student and national player after being awarded the Tengku Ahmad Rithaudeen Badminton Scholarship to pursue her studies.
Lee, 19, enrolled in the business and management foundation at University of Nottingham Malaysia in September last year. She intends to pursue a degree in computer science.
The scholarship is awarded in collaboration between the University of Nottingham Malaysia and Ampang Jaya Badminton Centre (AJBC).
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to study under a scholarship that values my talents and interest in badminton.
“I choose business studies for my foundation as I want to enhance my knowledge in the field. I hope to learn more in the economics module and discover which subjects I’m interested in by the end of my foundation.
“With a hectic lifestyle, I have made a schedule for myself to manage my time between studies and badminton. I will concentrate on what my lecturers teach and I will also practise wholeheartedly on the court. I will do my very best to get good grades with support from my family and friends,” she said.
Lee started playing badminton when she was 9 years old. She said her dad used to take her younger brother for professional training as he wanted to encourage him to exercise.
She always tagged along and that started to build her love and passion for the sport.
“I feel that it is important for students to have healthy mind and body, and sports is a great way to achieve this. I believe sports can let students create a better future for themselves,” she added. Lee’s achievements include winning first runner-up in the girls’ double at the OUE Singapore Youth International Series 2017 and women’s double at the Celcom Axiata National Championship U21 2017 competitions.
“My parents and coaches are my biggest influencers in life. They gave me a lot of support in my studies and to pursue my passion in badminton.
“As a player, I really hope to be recognised as a sportswoman with a university qualification. I will not give up playing badminton just to focus on my studies, but I will manage my time well.
“I’ll be representing AJBC in a team event for my next tournament. I look forward to this because I’m sure all team members will be fighting hard to win.
“I’m also looking forward to representing my university in upcoming tournaments.”
Like most of her peers, Lee likes watching serial dramas and listening to music.
She is training twice a week with members of her university’s badminton team.
Her role models are Datuk Lee Chong Wei, Lin Dan and Kevin Sanjaya.
According to University of Nottingham Malaysia Sports Complex manager Muhammad Affendi Faizal, time management was the utmost important factor for the university’s athletes.
“They are required to train long hours and study at the same time, and that is not an easy feat.
“The best solution is to provide flexibility in their studies, which will help them get the best in their education and enable them to pursue their passion in sport,” he said.
“For the past years the Nottingham University badminton club has been the platform for students to participate in daily games and host inter-varsity tournaments.
“I’m confident that Shun Mei is able to contribute her skills and knowledge as a high-performing badminton player in our club and the university team.
“We also believe in providing the best platform for her to excel in her badminton career with quality higher education,” said Affendi.
He hoped to see more national athletes pursuing their studies not only at the local universities, but abroad.
“Realistically, we know all athletes have an expiration date when it comes to high-performance games.
“Looking back, not many athletes have had access to a flexible study programme.
“This has forced them to compromise between full-time studies and sports. But in Nottingham University, for example, we have programmes that cater for student athletes.
“We appreciate and understand the importance of balancing a top-quality education and sport.
“Not only do we wish to see our national athletes perform their very best in their sport, we also wish to produce graduates whom we call ‘thinking athletes’.
“Hence, I believe it will be great to see more athletes pursue their tertiary education with options to balance between their student lives and sports career.”
I’m confident that Shun
Mei is able to contribute her skills and knowledge as a high-performing badminton player in our club and the university team. MUHAMMAD
AFFENDI FAIZAL University of Nottingham Malaysia Sports Complex manager