PUTRAJAYA: Athletes who excelled in the Asiad and Commonwealth Games last year dominated nominations for the 2018 National Sports Awards (ASN2018).
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah will grace the April 23 event, which has been held since 1966 to recognise the excellence achieved by athletes, coaches, officials and sports associations throughout the year.
RTM is scheduled to air the event live from 9.30 pm. “Sixty-five nominations have been received from national sports associations (NSAs), Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM), National Sports Council (NSC) and Malaysian Paralympic Council (MPC).
“Today’s selection committee meeting has shortlisted the candidates and winners of the various categories,” NSC director-general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail told a press conference after the committee meeting, which was chaired by Youth and Sports Ministry secretary-general Dr Waitchalla R.R.V.Suppiah at Menara KBS here yesterday.
“Some of the male athletes nominated are Azizulhasni Awang (cycling), Rafiq Ismail (bowling), Mohd Syahrul Azman Mahen (bodybuilding), Latif Romly (para athletics), Muhammad Ziyad (para athletics), Mohamad Ridzuan Puzi (para athletics).
“In the women’s category, we have S. Sivasanggari (squash), Siti Zalina Ahmad (lawn bowls), Siti Safiyah Amirah (bowling) and many more,” said Ahmad Shapawi, who refused to divulge the names of athletes shortlisted for the 11 categories.
He said selection for the ASN2018 awards this time was based on the athletes’ excellence at the Asiad, Commonwealth Games as well as other world meets throughout 2018.
The National Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year as well as National Para Sportsman and Para Sportswoman of the Year will each receive a trophy, certificate and RM20,000 cash.
Other awards include the National Men and Women’s Team of the Year, National Men and Women’s Coach of the Year, Sports Icon/Personality Award, Sports Leadership Award and Special Award. – Bernama
