KUALA LUMPUR: After helping Malaysia win the Sea Games netball gold medal last year, An Najwa Azizan has created history by becoming the first Malaysian to play in an overseas league.
Najwa, who played a big role in helping Malaysia beat Singapore after 16 years to the netball gold, will now play with Division Two outfit Greater Western Sydney Furw based in New South Wales, Australia.
Najwa, voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the 2016 Asia Cup in Bangkok, will leave Saturday to play in the Samsung League, from April to September.
"This is a great opportunity for me to gain experience and also, it has always been my dream to play in Australia, which is ranked No 1 in the world (netball).
"Even though I will be playing in the amateur league, it’s a big chance for me and I hope to shine not only for myself but also for the country's sake," she said.
Playing as a goal shooter, An Najwa will put on hold her studies. She is a first year student in Communications at the Universiti Putra Malaysia.
An Najwa, who stands at 1.79m, is concerned about her height.
"Even though I am considered to have good height in Malaysia, in Australia I am considered 'short'. That means I have to work harder but I am ready for it."
Malaysian Netball Association president Datuk Suraya Yaacob said: "An Najwa received this golden chance with help from our coach Tracey Robinson.
"This is a good chance for other clubs to know about Malaysian players and if An Najwa makes her mark, she might just play in the Premier Division next."