Lee Chong Wei races for 2011 National Sportsman Award – Badminton News
The Malaysian badminton maestro, Lee Chong Wei has been nominated for 2011 National Sportsman Award as he has bright chances to win this prestigious honour for the third time.
World Number one Chong Wei, who has been given the title of Datuk for his achievements in badminton, earlier won this Award in 2005 for his consistency and focus in badminton and then he was awarded in 2009 for winning silver medal in the Olympics.
In previous season, the badminton king had a great run and he raised the country’s flag in six international events by winning French Open, Indonesia Open, Malaysia Open GP Gold, India Open, All England Open and Malaysia Open.
Chong Wei is roped in this tussle with Leong Tze from Karate, Adrian Ang Hsien Loong for bowling skills, the diving athlete Bryan Nickson Lomas, bodybuilder Sazali Abdul Samad and Cheng Chu Sian from archery.
By looking at the nominations list one can clearly see that Chong Wei will not face tough competition as none of them has performed as well as the badminton ace.
This year the prize money for this national Award will be doubled and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery confirmed that it has been raised to RM20, 000 from RM10, 000.
He said, "It is timely to increase the prize money from RM10, 000 to RM20, 000 based on our athletes' contribution to the country. It (the prize money) has remained the same since 1986."
Meanwhile, the squash Queen Nicol David is nominated for 2011 National Sportswoman Award and she also has clear chances to win her second award as she bagged the honour in 2010 as well. Both Chong Wei and Nicol are ranked top in world rankings of their respective
sport.
Nicol is facing opposition from the shooter Nur Suryani Mohd Taibi, the cyclist Fatehah Mustapa and female diver Pandelela Rinong.
The award ceremony will be staged in a gala dinner at the Palace of Golden Horses on April 17 and winners will have the honour to receive the awards from Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah and Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah.
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