KUALA LUMPUR: Two elite athletes, track cycling champion Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang and diving queen Datuk Pandelela Rinong, are among the nominees vying for the 2019/2020 National Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year awards.
They are expected to be strongly challenged by the others shortlisted for the National Sports Award (ASN) ceremony, which is scheduled to be held at a hotel in Subang Jaya on Tuesday (Dec 21).
For the National Sportsman category, Mohd Azizulhasni, dubbed the "Pocket Rocketman", has bodybuilder Mohd Syahrul Azman Mahen Abdullah, archer Khairul Anuar Mohamad, tenpin bowler Timmy Tan and wushu exponent Wong Weng Son for company.
Pandelela will be challenged by wushu exponent Tan Cheong Min, lawn bowler Siti Zalina Ahmad, tenpin bowler Sin Li Jane and gymnast Farah Ann Abdul Hadi for the National Sportswoman award.
For the National Paralympic Sportsman category, archer S. Suresh heads the nominations, followed by Bonnie Bunyau Gustin (powerlifting), Cheah Like Hou (badminton), Muhammad Nur Syaiful Zulkafli (swimming) and Chew Wei Lun (boccia). However, there were no nominations for the National Paralympic Sportswoman this time.
SPORTS-AWARD (ASN) 2 (LAST) KUALA LUMPUR
The National Sports Council (NSC), in a statement today, said the nominations of the athletes were based on their excellent achievements on the international stage in 2019 and 2020.
"The NSC Selection Committee, chaired by Ministry of Youth and Sports deputy secretary-general (strategic) Ramona Mohd Razali, received 68 nominations for 11 categories from national sports associations, the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) and the Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM).
It said Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah would grace the awards ceremony.
The winners of the National Sportsman and Sportswoman and National Paralympic Sportsman awards will each receive a trophy, a challenge trophy, a certificate and RM20,000 cash.
ASN also offers seven other awards - National Men's and Women's Teams, National Men's and Women's Coaches, Sports Figure Award, Sports Leadership Award and Special Award.
The awards, which were introduced in 1966, have been held annually but those for 2019 and 2020 were combined due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Tue Dec 14 2021
Track cycling champion Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang and diving queen Datuk Pandelela Rinong, are among the nominees vying for the 2019/2020 National Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year awards. - Instagram photo
Wedding content creation the big thing now for newlyleds
A wedding content creator's success does not rely solely in tech but in capturing emotions and bringing a couples love story to life.
Will Western companies return to Russia?
Easing restrictions could let some companies return to what was once a high-growth market under Trump's administration.
Chatbots pose challenge to guarding child mental health
Developers say AI companions can combat loneliness and improve users' social experiences in a safe space.
With blitz of policies, Trump goes beyond Project 2025's goals
Trump denies ties to Project 2025 but continues reshaping policies through executive power.
Almost half of chronic kidney patients in Malaysia lost their jobs - study
The study raises concerns about the future of chronic kidney patients, especially those who rely on long-term dialysis treatment.
Beware of scam tactics using AI
The drastic development of AI technology is being taken advantage of by scammers to reap huge profits by using various latest tactics.
Fired and rehired - the dizzying confusion of Trump's government overhaul
They have adopted a blunt force approach toward the wholesale firing of workers, often focusing on workers who are easier to fire.
Arab states scramble to counter Trump's Gaza 'Riviera' plan
Arab states trying to devise an alternative plan have yet to tackle critical issues like who will foot the bill for Gaza's reconstruction.
Chinese universities launch DeepSeek courses to capitalise on AI boom
Universities across China have launched artificial intelligence courses this month based on Chinese AI startup DeepSeek.
Astronomers reveal 3D structure of an alien planet's atmosphere
Astronomers find three layers on a scorching gas planet orbiting a star larger and hotter than the sun.
Public flips car involved in road accident to rescue child
According to JBPM, members of the public at the scene took initial action to rescue the victim before the fire brigade arrived.
Ramsay reveals hundreds of lucky cat statues stolen from new restaurant
Gordon Ramsay says about 477 Japanese cat models called maneki-neko were stolen from his Lucky Cat 22 Bishopsgate restaurant.
Zayn Rayyan case: Two child witnesses complete testimony today
So far, 20 prosecution witnesses, including the two children, have been called for this trial, according to the Deputy Public Prosecutor.
Macron says he will tell Trump not to be weak with Putin in Washington visit
Emmanuel Macron says showing any weakness to Russia's Vladimir Putin would make it harder to deal with China and Iran.
Israeli PM Netanyahu says Hamas will pay for not returning Shiri Bibas
Netanyahu accuse Hamas of acting "in an unspeakably cynical manner" by placing body of a Gaza woman in the coffin instead of Shiri Bibas.
Trump pulls US out of key global climate assessment, sources say
The US is a co-chair along with Malaysia of a working group on climate mitigation, or ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Japan to court Tesla on Nissan investment, FT reports
The group hopes Tesla will invest strategically, believing it's interested in acquiring Nissan's US plants, the report says.
185 children linked to GISB handed over to families - Exco
The children have been handed over to their families on bond with conditions by the court.
IRS fires 6,000 employees as Trump slashes US government
The move will eliminate roughly 6% of the agency's workforce in the midst of the busy tax-filing season.
Elon Musk wields chainsaw at conservative gathering, a gift from Argentina's Milei
This is the chainsaw for bureaucracy, says Elon Musk.