KUALA LUMPUR: Sea Games champion Umar Osman must pass his TOEFL exam to avoid losing his Auburn University scholarship.
Umar, who clinched the 400m gold medal at the 2023 Phnom Penh Sea Games, revealed his plan to sit for the examination after Hari Raya.
While he affirmed his intent to commence revision soon, he did not specify the exact date of his enrolment.
"I will take the TOEFL exam soon, but I need to practice first to boost my confidence in answering the questions. I plan to take the exam about a week after Hari Raya," said Umar, who confirmed his upcoming enrolment at Auburn University in Alabama in August.
"If I'm not mistaken, the National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) approval was granted two days after the enrolment date last January.
"However, I need to pass the TOEFL. I want to ensure my readiness before taking the exam as the fee is quite expensive.
The TOEFL exam, which costs US$195 (RM926) for each attempt, poses a significant financial commitment for students.
Umar currently holds the national record with a time of 46.09s, achieved at the World University Games in Chengdu, China, last August.
He surpassed his previous record of 46.33 seconds set at the Phnom Penh Sea Games.
