Sabah tennis teen Nurshaneem Shamsuddin is in dreamland after being granted a scholarship to improve her tennis and studies at the famed Nick Bollettieri Academy in the United States.
Sabah Tennis Association Johnson Koh in expressing his happiness for Nurshaneem, described as a “bright tennis spark” in the sport in Malaysia, said:
“It has been Nurshaneem’s dream to further her studies and take her tennis to greater heights and the scholarship is the stepping stone in achieving her dreams.”
Her father Shamsuddin Mustamin, who is also her coach, worked tirelessly with the state association and kept in close contact with the game, both, in Sabah and the country, for Nurshaneem to participate in tournaments.
“STA always support parents and kids who are in close contact with STA and need assistance. We are very happy for Nurshaneem and her parents. This achievement, hopefully, will encourage other aspiring juniors to expose more to get noticed by outside tennis academies.
Nurshaneem was aspired by Nick Bollettieri himself during her stint with his coaching clinic in Kuala Lumpur last year. Among the big names in world tennis who have come through this academy in Florida, including Andre Agassi, Monica Seles, Maria Sharapova, Kei Nishikori, Serena Williams and Anna Kournikova.
The tennis fraternity in Sabah wish her well and hopefully, she can do Sabah and Malaysia proud. – BYÂ RIZAL ABDULLAH
