Teen waterskier Aaliyah Yoong receives RM1.1 mil scholarship

KUALA LUMPUR – National waterskier Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah has received a RM1.1 million scholarship from Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) to pursue her tertiary education at Florida Southern College.

Even as she pursues her degree in psychology from January onwards, the 19-year-old said her academics will not be in the way of achieving her long-term goal of becoming Malaysia’s or Asia’s first world waterskiing champion in the next three to five years.

“RM1.1 million from YSD is my biggest sponsorship so far. There is going to be a lot of pressure now on me since I have the scholarship, but I will strive to be the best,” she said.

“I am definitely grateful for this scholarship because YSD came to help me at a crucial time and it will help lighten the burden from my parents to pay for my tertiary education.

“Being a world champion is also one of my biggest dreams in my career, so I will put in all of my hard work and have steady improvement throughout the year.” 

Aaliyah was met at a press conference today, attended by Malaysian Waterski and Wakeboard Federation (MWWF) chief coach Hanifah Yoong, MWWF president Alex Yoong, and YSD chairman Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja’afar.

Aaliyah also noted that the college has accepted her into their waterskiing team given her impressive track record.

“The college has also already accepted me into the college team. When they were doing recruitment, they were looking at my track record to join their team.

“Once I enrol, I will be in the team.”

The Asian champion added that she will start off the next season by competing at the Moomba Masters in Melbourne, Australia in March.

She is also aiming for a podium finish at the U21 World Championships in the tricks and overall event to be held in Mexico in June.

Aaliyah started waterskiing at 5 years old and obtained her first gold medal at the SEA Games when she was 8, winning the open women tricks event in Palembang, Indonesia.

She is currently ranked third in the world for the U21 overall and tricks category. – The Vibes, December 5, 2022