National award bowls Farah over after year of enduring tough times

Awesome: Lawn bowler Nor Farah Ain Abdullah posing with her National Sportswoman award. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star

PETALING JAYA: Nor Farah Ain Abdullah never expected to become the first lawn bowler to be crowned the 2024 National Sportswoman of the Year.

The 24-year-old said last year was a challenge for her, especially being her first year in the national team while maintaining her momentum in each tournament and dealing with injuries.

The tough times she endured have paid off as she took home the National Sportswoman award at the National Sports Awards yesterday at the Dorsett Grand Subang, taking home RM20,000.

“I didn’t expect to win at all. I’m still new in the squad, and also among the youngest. So it was completely unexpected,” she said at the awards ceremony yesterday.

“Last year was very challenging for me. I competed in many tournaments and often struggled to maintain my momentum.

“But winning this award is such a blessing for me. It’s the biggest achievement I’ve gotten and I’m so thankful for all the support.

“I had health problems last year but it never dampened my spirits for sports. I also have an injury now, so I need to rest for a while.

“I have a muscle tear in my right shoulder and I need to focus on recovering.’’

Farah took the spotlight last year when she made history by winning gold at the World Indoor Bowls Championships in the Channel Islands, as well as bagging gold at the Asian Championships in Thailand.

She beat bowler Sin Li Jane, silat exponent Nor Farah Mazlan, wushu exponent Tan Cheong Min, and cyclist Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri.

Meanwhile, men’s doubles shuttlers Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik were crowned National Sportsman of the Year, making it their second title after also winning the 2022 edition.

The awards for National Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year was presented by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.

World No. 5 Aaron-Wooi Yik had defended their Olympic bronze medal at the Paris Olympics last year, as well as winning silver at the Asian Team Championships and bronze at the Asian Championships.

Aaron-Wooi Yik had won the award in 2022 after becoming Malaysia’s first shuttlers to win at the World Championships in Tokyo.

Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) secretary-general Datuk Kenny Goh received the award on behalf of Aaron-Wooi Yik, who are currently competing at the Thailand Open.

“Of course, there are challenges in sports.

“They have to sacrifice so much, maybe even time with their families. They put all their energy into training and competed in so many tournaments last year.

“All those sacrifices, we can say, have paid off now with this award,” he said.

The other nominees in that category were singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia, weightlifter Mohd Aniq Kasdan, wushu exponent Wong Weng Son and pencak silat exponent Abdul Latif Maxzakir.

The National Paralympic Sportsman award went to powerlifter Bonnie Bunyau Gustin, who defended his gold medal at the Paris Paralympics and broke the world record.

The National Paralympic Sportswoman award was won by lawn bowler Hasmunirah Malik.