Azizulhasni, Pandelela in the running for 2021 Sportsman, Sportswoman Awards

KUALA LUMPUR: National track cycling ace Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang and diving queen Datuk Pandelela Rinong are again the frontrunners for the 2021 National Sportsman and Sportswoman Awards that will be held on Jan 31.

Mohd Azizulhasni has won the National Sportsman award four times - in 2009, 2010, 2017 and 2019/2020 - while Pandelela was crowned the National Sportswoman in 2013 and 2015.

The two sports icons are expected to face a tough fight from the other shortlisted athletes at the National Sports Awards (ASN), which will be held at the National Sports Council (NSC) Banquet Hall and likely to be attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

In the National Sportsman category, Azizulhasni, who is nicknamed the 'Pocket Rocketman', will be up against badminton world champions and national number one doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, bodybuilder Buda Anchah, squash player Ng Eain Yow and motorcycling ace Syarifuddin Azman.

Pandelela, meanwhile, will be vying for the National Sportswoman award with squash players Rachel Arnold and Aifa Azman, bodybuilder Meilaura Dora Jimmy and Muaythai exponent Nur Amisha Azrilrizal.

Powerlifting ace Bonnie Bunyau Gustin heads the list of nominees for the National Paralympic Sportsman category, followed by Datuk Abdul Latif Romly (athletics), Cheah Like Hou (badminton), Jong Yee Khie (powerlifting) and Chew Wei Lun (boccia).

The National Paralympic Sportswoman category will see a three-cornered fight between Siti Noor Iasah Mohamad Ariffin (athletics), Nur Azlia Syafinaz Mohd Zais (cycling) and Brenda Anellia Larry (swimming).

The NSC, in a statement yesterday, said the candidates shortlisted were based on their excellent achievements on the international stage throughout 2021.

"The NSC Selection Committee, headed by Youth and Sports Ministry deputy secretary-general (strategic) Ramona Mohd Razali, received 49 nominations for 11 categories from national sports associations, the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM), Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM), the NSC Athletes and Paralympic Department as well as the 2021 ASN Secretariat," it added.

The winners of each category will receive a trophy, a challenge trophy, a certificate and RM20,000 cash.

The 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, introduced in 1966, are the government's highest recognition in appreciation of the excellence achieved by the athletes, coaches, officials and national sports associations throughout the year.

-- BERNAMA