ALOR STAR: Nur Alya Damia Mohd Faisal is only 13 but she has a resume people twice her age would be proud of.
The SMK Datuk Syed Ahmad student not only excels academically but shines as a school athlete, martial artist, public speaker and most impressively, an extreme motorcross competitor.
Today, she was honoured with a Children's Special Award at the state-level World Children's Day, Persons with Disabilities Day and Elderly Citizens Day at Raia Hotel and Convention Centre.
The eldest of four siblings attributed her success to the unwavering support of her 37-year-old father, Mohd Faisal Saed.
"Alhamdulillah, I am very grateful. It is such an honour to receive the award. However I have to thank my parents, especially my father.
"He has devoted time, money and energy to support my passions. Without him, I wouldn't have achieved these milestones," she said after receiving her award at the Raia Hotel and Convention Centre here today.
Alya, who picked up the dirt bike activity at age seven, said her secret was striking a balance between her passion and school with good time management.
"It's also important to set a goal and pursue those goals with determination.
"My father taught me that if you want to achieve something, hard work and dedication is a must."
She said her greatest achievement in motocross was being crowned champion at the National Tambun Motocross Challenge in 2019 and finishing second at the Kemaman International Motocross Challenge 2019.
"I've been working hard in school this year but I'm still competing. Earlier this year, I won a competition in Terengganu and I'm looking for a more active 2024," she added.
Faisal, who is a professional extreme motorsports athlete, said he built a practice track for the family in Kuala Nerang to support his daughter's passion.
While he laid the foundations for Alya's development as an athlete, he credited his daughter's winning mindset for her success.
"Everyone in the family rides motocross. However, Alya has a competitor's mindset. She wants to win."
Today's awards event was graced by Raja Muda of Kedah Tengku Sarafudin Badlishah Sultan Sallehuddin and Raja Puan Muda of Kedah Che Puan Muda Zaheeda Mohamad Ariff.
Other award recipients included Khairunnissa Johari, 35, and Datuk Natsir Mustafa, 79, who received the Person with Disabilities and Productive Senior Citizens Special Awards, respectively.