Ilham Rio Fahmi, an undergraduate student of the management study program at Universitas Dian Nuswantoro (Udinus) had successfully taken the gold medal for the football sports branch at Sea Games 2023. Two years ago, he had also crowned the ‘Best Young Player’ at the Menpora Cups 2021.
Rio told that since he was a kid, he used to play football against other villages with his uncle. Thence, Rio fell in love with football and wanted to be better at it. “I joined one of the football lessons at Banjarnegara when I was still in the fourth grade, afterwards I also joined the Persibara Banjarnegara Junior Football Club,” explained Rio.
Born on October 6th, 2001, Rio decided to try his luck by pursuing his football career and joined the Persija U-20 Club in 2020. After spending over a year, Rio was selected to participate in a trial at the Persija Senior Club. “Thank God, I am so happy to be qualified in Persija. The support from my friends and family kept me alive,” said Rio.
Rio's football career took a brighter turn when he became part of the Indonesian National Team U-22 at the Sea Games 2023. Alongside his teammates, Rio achieved a historic milestone by winning the gold medal for Indonesia after 32 years of failing to achieve that. To celebrate his victory, Udinus awarded Rio with a master's education (S-2) scholarship at Universitas Dian Nuswantoro (Udinus).
“I am very grateful for studying at Udinus and receiving an education scholarship. At Udinus I can balance myself between academic activities and a football career,” said Rio, the owner of the Instagram account @riofhm_.
During his education at Udinus, Rio would be supported by lecturers to keep him on track online without abandoning his study or his training at the football league.
Rio informed, “The Udinus’ Chancellor has directed me to take advantage. I understand that it could prepare me to look forward to the Industrial world or even become an entrepreneur.
Rio, the defender of the Indonesian team, hoped that with the help of the scholarship, he could be more motivated to be a high-quality student. “I aim to take the name of Indonesia to the International level,” closed Rio. (Udinus Public Relation/Ika. Photo: Udinus PR)
