Footballer wins scholarship to study in Phuket sports school

Muhammad Adam (right) receiving a personal donation from Dr Afif. With them is the boy’s father Zamri.

MUHAMMAD Adam Nadzmi Zamri’s dream of becoming an international football player is now a little closer to reality after he was offered a place to study at the British International School of Phuket (BISP) in Thailand, a prestigious sports school.

The 17-year-old student from SM Sains Tun Syed Sheh Shahabudin in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, said he was sponsored by the BISP for two years at a cost of RM120,000.

“I cannot wait any further and I’m counting the days till I leave for Phuket to commence my studies and football training.

“I was also offered a place at the Sekolah Sukan Bukit Jalil and several local football clubs like Johor Kedah, Penang, Perak and Selangor but I picked BISP as it meets my criteria of studies and sports,” said the teenager who is heading to Phuket today.

Muhammad Adam hoped this would be a stepping stone for him to join FC Barcelona in the international football arena.

“I will be going to Portugal to participate in several matches in July. I hope to impress the scouts and sports observers present.”

He was speaking to reporters at the International Day of Action for Rivers 2019 in Taman Sembilang, Seberang Jaya, near Butterworth recently.

Also present was state executive councillor Dr Afif Bahardin who gave a personal donation of RM500 to Muhammad Adam.

The boy’s father Zamri Sulaiman, 46, said the decision to select BISP was based on the school’s emphasis on studies and sports.

“I was looking for a sports school platform which will not sideline academic studies and it is very important for my son to balance his academic studies and sports.

“When my son was selected, I gave him the greenlight as he knows the capability of BISP,” he said.

Dr Afif said he hoped more youths in Penang would follow Muhammad Adam’s footsteps and seize an opportunity like this which would not only bring pride to the country but also its citizens.

The British International School in Phuket is an English-medium, co-educational, day and boarding school, established in 1996.

The 17.8ha (44-acre) campus has eight boarding houses, primary and secondary schools, and sports facilities including swimming pools, tennis courts, football pitches, and a golf centre.