Aaliyah in action at the Moomba Masters in Melbourne, Australia.
Waterskier Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah did the country proud when she won four gold and two bronze medals in the Moomba Masters 2022 in Melbourne, Australia.
The success of the teenager, who is also Sime Darby Foundation (YSD) Star Scholar and Ambassador, earned the continued support of the foundation as well.
YSD chairman Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja’afar said, “YSD is happy to support Aaliyah’s tertiary education so that she can pursue her passion of waterskiing, while advancing her studies in psychology and being a role model and inspiration to girls and women in sports.
“As we witness her incredible performance at the Moomba Masters tournament, I am certain this astounding success is just the beginning of her journey to becoming the world’s ‘number one’ in waterskiing.
“YSD is proud to be a part of that journey. Keep it up, Aaliyah. YSD and Malaysia are with you all the way.”
Aaliyah took part in the Junior and Open Women’s categories between March 9 and 14.
She won three golds in the Girls Tricks and Jump events and earned another gold for the Girls Overall.
Aaliyah won her very first Open Women podium when she placed third in Open Women Tricks.
She also bagged a bronze for the Girls Slalom and Open Women Tricks.
The Moomba Masters attracts the world’s largest crowds for waterski events where some 200,000 attend the week-long competition alongside the Moomba Festival.
YSD is providing Aaliyah with the YSD Star Scholarship Award for five years to undertake preparatory examinations and a four-year overseas degree in psychology, while attending specialised training and international competitions.
Her predecessors who had received this prestigious YSD Star Scholarship include Malaysia’s first cycling Olympic medallist Datuk Azizulhasni Awang and professional golfer Kelly Tan Guat Chen.
The aid for Aaliyah is in line with the long-term goals of supporting and developing youths and girls in sports by YSD as well as donors Sime Darby Bhd, Sime Darby Plantation Bhd and Sime Darby Property Bhd.
