KUALA LUMPUR: Missing the opportunity to spend a joyous occasion like Hari Raya Aidilfitri is always a painful experience for many but young national diver Nur Eilisha Rania Muhammad Abrar Raj is probably an exception.
Nur Eilisha who had to miss last year’s Aidilfitri celebrations due to the call of duty for the nation, especially preparations for the Cambodia SEA Games, this year she has decided to forego the Aidilfitri celebrations as she is mourning the death of her beloved grandmother on Feb 7.
The 18-year-old diver from Sarawak said she would remain at the National Sports Council (NSC) in Bukit Jalil instead of returning to Kuching, Sarawak because this year’s celebration would be ‘empty’ without her grandmother around.
Nur Eilisha, winner of the gold medal at the 2023 Malaysian Open Diving Championships said the death of her grandmother Marina Allin, or fondly known as Inek Uteh, who has always been a pillar of strength throughout her growing days and her involvement in sports, at the age of 63, has deeply affected her emotionally.
“This will be the second time I did not join in the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations. Last year I had to miss the celebrations because I was focused on preparing for the SEA Games but this year I decided to sacrifice the celebrations because I am not in the right frame of mind to celebrate.
“I am very close to Inek Uteh, every time I return to Sarawak, I will go to my grandmother’s house before going to my house. She will always call me to find out my progress in training and was very concerned with my progress. After her passing I am going through a sense of emptiness,” she told Bernama recently.
The diver added that she was also grieved because she was not able to pay her last respects when her grandmother passed away because she was competing at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar when she was notified by family members about her passing.
“The last time I met my grandmother was in November last year when I returned home. I am going to miss her Steamed Moss Cake (Kek Lumut) which she always prepares with so much love and care. I will also be missing her nagging and advise,” she said.
However, Nur Eilisha, the daughter of former Sarawak state diver Victory Emmy, pledged to remain focused on her task to prepare for the 21st Malaysia Games (SUKMA), hosted by Sarawak from July 17 to Aug 24 and not remain immersed in grief for a prolonged period.
“For the SUKMA training and preparations, my coach has asked me to follow the flow. My schedule in the morning is to undergo rehab and physcio and train in the afternoon,” she said.
Nur Eilisha added that armed with her determination, support from her parents and blessings from her grandmother, she would continue to excel in the field of sports in the future. – BERNAMA
