Underwater Hockey National Athlete, Influencer

How I Can Help You

• Pursuing a Career in Sports: Tips on time management, dedication, and achieving success as an athlete.
• Guiding Young Athletes: Support for young athletes in navigating their sports journeys and transitions.
• Applying for Sports Scholarships: Guidance on securing sports scholarships, including the application process, interviews, and GPA requirements.
• Balancing Academics & Sports: Tips on managing both academics and sports effectively.
• Competitive Sports Training: Advice on training regimes, discipline, and overcoming challenges as a national underwater hockey player.
• Athlete Funding & Sponsorships: Help with overcoming challenges like funding & securing sponsorships.
• Competing in Emerging Sports: Insights on opportunities and challenges in newer sports like underwater hockey.
• Motivation & Mental Toughness: Having competed in high-stakes events like the SEA Games, advice on building mental resilience & handling pressure in high-stakes sports.
• Teamwork in Sports: Tips on building strong team dynamics and communication in team-based sports.
• Female Empowerment in Sports: Guidance for female athletes to thrive & build confidence in male-dominated sports fields.
• Content Creation Tips: Starting & growing as a content creator, especially in beauty and lifestyle niches.
• Balancing Dual Careers as Sportsperson: Advice on managing multiple careers, like balancing a corporate job with athletic commitments.
• Lifestyle & Wellness: Tips on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, balancing fitness with work, and mental well-being.
• Career Transitions: Guidance on transitioning from a sports career to a professional career.

My Domains

Sports Career | Sports Scholarships | Competitive Sports Training | National Athlete | Underwater Hockey | Swimming | Youth Sports Mentorship | Female Empowerment | Motivation Tips | Fitness  | Emerging Sports | Social Media | KOL Guidance | Content Creation | Scholarships Tips | Sponsorships & Funding

A Bit About Me

Hey guys, it's Pavinya. I'm an athlete by day and banker by night. Let's get in touch to know more on how life brought me to where I am today !! Xoxo :)

• I grew up in Kuala Lumpur and lived in Sentul, a lively area known for its diverse culture. 
• I had an active childhood, and at 6, I started swimming and rhythmic gymnastics. I was always drawn to sports that allowed me to express my energy and creativity.
• My talent in swimming was quickly recognized by my instructor, and with the encouragement of my mom, I began swimming competitively at the age of 10. 
• This marked the beginning of a journey that would shape my life in sports and beyond.
• I also did cheerleading in school, as being in an all-girls school naturally drew me towards more traditionally feminine sports. Cheerleading helped me build confidence, teamwork, and perseverance.
• Coming from a modern Indian household, I was fortunate to have the freedom to explore a variety of interests. 
• My parents were always supportive of my passions, as long as I kept my academic performance up to standard.
• At 15, my family moved to Cyberjaya, and I started commuting daily to my school in KL with my sister, as we were both enrolled in a prestigious school. 
• This daily commute was challenging but it taught me the value of dedication and time management.

Education Journey

• I attended Convent Bukit Nanas Primary School, which is known for its excellent academic performance and its nurturing environment. 
• I was following in my mom’s footsteps as she was an alumna, and this school gave me a solid foundation in both academics and extracurricular activities.
• For secondary school, I moved to SMK Aminuddin Baki (SAB), a well-regarded institution in KL, where I represented Kuala Lumpur in swimming competitions under the Majlis Bandaraya Berjaya (MBBA) banner. 
• This experience was a turning point for me, as it taught me to balance rigorous academics with the intense demands of competitive swimming.
• Studying in KL is highly competitive; the fast-paced life requires students not just to excel academically but to engage deeply in extracurricular activities. 
• This environment pushed me to always aim higher, whether in the pool or in the classroom.
• After secondary school, I moved on to Multimedia University (MMU) in Cyberjaya for my foundation studies. 
• My victory in the SEA Games earned me a scholarship to pursue a degree in Financial Engineering at MMU, which combines finance modules with computerization, offering high employability in the future.
• The scholarship came with the requirement of representing MMU in swimming competitions, which reignited my passion for the sport and kept me connected to the athletic community.
• I learned that scholarships are not always fully sponsored, as some of my teammates received only partial scholarships. 
• I actively participated in MMU’s events and activities and made connections with the management, which gave me an edge in securing my scholarship.
• During the scholarship interview, I had to present all my certifications and evidence of achievements. 
• Sports scholars are expected to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0, and the university provides access to training camps and support groups. 
• However, there are strict rules, such as completing education within a specific time frame to retain the scholarship.

Skills and Interests

• Transitioning from swimming to underwater hockey was a significant shift in my athletic career. 
• In swimming, the competition is often age-based, and if you're not at the national level by the age of 18, your opportunities to advance can become limited. 
• I felt my progress had plateaued and was considering moving on from swimming.
• Fortunately, my swimming manager offered me a tryout for underwater hockey. 
• I found the sport incredibly intriguing and soon after joined the national team. This decision marked a new beginning for me in the world of sports.
  

Professional Experience

National Underwater Hockey Player, Medalist of SEA Games

• My career in underwater hockey took off when I participated in the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines, where our team placed 4th. 
• As an emerging sport, underwater hockey is in Category B, meaning it is self-funded. 
• Athletes self-fund their expenses, but the government (Kementerian Belia Sukan), which handles all arrangements, reimbursed medal winners for their contributions to the country.
• We also participated in the British Open League, where we placed 2nd after recovering from the COVID-19 lockdown. 
• In a return visit to the South East Asia Games (SEA Games), the women's elite team brought home a bronze medal.
• Our team uses a 1-3-2 formation (1 forward, 3 midfielders, 2 defenders), and since the game is played underwater, team members are required to hold their breath for a minimum of 2 minutes and communicate using hand signals.
• The best part of being on the team is being part of a close-knit community with players from diverse backgrounds. 
• I especially value the bond with my female teammates. Training is rigorous, involving multiple hours each week, but it's incredibly rewarding.
• The next major event is the World Qualifiers next year, and Malaysia will host the SEA Games in 2027. 
• Underwater hockey is growing in popularity, especially in the UK, Australia, and across Europe, and Asia is rising in recognition.

Influencer, Content Creator

• I began content creation and freelance modeling during the lockdown, focusing on beauty reviews and lifestyle content. 
• I made sure to avoid political and financial content to ensure it didn’t interfere with my status as an athlete.

Banker

• I previously worked at Maybank, where I discovered that the corporate environment wasn't the best fit for my working style, which is dynamic and requires a balance between structure and flexibility.
• Currently, I work as a banker, starting in February 2024, managing reconciliation with Canadian and UK clients. 
• My role is uniquely positioned around European hours, allowing me to work at night and keep my days free to focus on my sports career.
• Balancing work and sports has been a natural transition for me because I’ve always juggled academics and athletics. 
• I’ve adapted well to managing both worlds, and my current job allows me to maintain this dual lifestyle seamlessly.

What’s Coming Up for Me?

• I would love to see underwater hockey become an Olympic sport one day, and I hope to be part of that journey when it happens.
• I am eager to participate in the upcoming SEA Games and continue to grow in my athletic career.
• I aspire to own my own business in the future, where I can combine my skills in finance, sports, and content creation.

A Community Hero Since: December 30, 2024