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| Dinda, a Futsal Athlete and Psychology Master's Student (Photo : Special) |
Mellenia Dinda Saputri, a student of Master of Psychology Batch 2023 at the University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM), who has made achievements at the national level. She was chosen as the representative of UMM for the East Java contingent in the Pekan Olahraga Mahasiswa Nasional (POMNAS) XVIII held in South Kalimantan at the end of November. Her team secured a bronze medal in futsal at the event.
Dinda, her nickname, revealed that she used to be a volleyball athlete. Unfortunately, she sustained an injury that required complete rest. However, her passion for excelling in the world of sports endured.
"In the past, I was a volleyball athlete who suffered an arm injury and had to take a break. Then, in 2018, friends invited me to switch to futsal. As I continued training, many teams, both futsal and soccer, invited me to join," she recounted.
Apart from her exceptional skills and physical prowess, her participation in POMNAS XVIII was attributed to her extensive network among UMM lecturers. She received full support from the Chairman of the Indonesian Student Sports Development Agency (BAPOMI).
The student from Malang admitted to rigorous preparation, from participating in Training Center (TC) programs to joining the Pre-National Games (Pra-PON). She recently concluded the Pra-PON tournament in South Sulawesi in October, followed by a ten-day TC, before finally competing in POMNAS.
She expressed joy and gratitude for being part of POMNAS, especially with the unwavering support provided by the university. From transportation, accommodation, to all necessities during the championship, the white-campus (UMM) funded her entirely.
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"Of course, the results were worth it. The entire process, from intense training to participating in Pra-PON and eventually POMNAS, culminated in bringing home a medal. Moreover, the support from friends and family was overwhelming," she exclaimed.
Finally, she advised female athletes to showcase their skills and abilities confidently. According to her, achievements are not limited to academics but also encompass non-academic sectors, including sports.
"As female athletes, we can proudly achieve and make a mark in sports, even male-dominated ones. Don't hesitate to display your talents and skills," she concluded. (faq/wil/fajr)
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