KUALA LUMPUR: As expected, the 2019 National Sports Award ceremony has been deferred again.
This time, the National Sports Council (NSC) have decided that this year’s edition will be jointly held with next year’s event due to the current Covid-19 situation.
The awards ceremony is usually held in March or April every year.
NSC director general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail said it was the right decision.
“The decision also took into account the situation throughout 2020, whereby no big tournaments were held for almost the whole year, ” said Shapawi, after an online NSC board of management meeting, which was chaired by Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican yesterday.
“As such, the board decided to jointly hold the 2019 and 2020 awards ceremonies next year, ” said Shapawi.
In 2018, tenpin bowling ace Mohd Rafiq Ismail and rhythmic gymnast Amy Kwan Dict Weng were named as the National Sportsman and Sportswoman respectively while Mohd Ridzuan Mohd Puzi and Siti Noor Iasah Mohd Ariffin were the recipients of the National Paralympic Sportsman and Sportswoman respectively.
Meanwhile, the NSC received a shot in the arm yesterday, when 100Plus, Malaysia’s No 1 isotonic beverage, extended their sponsorship contract for five years until 2024.
Shapawi thanked their sponsor for their loyal support since 2000.
“They have been our longtime friend and partner. At NSC, we strive to attract companies to join us, not only because we need their sponsorship, but more importantly we need support and for them to be involved in our efforts, ” he added.
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