PETALING JAYA: World Junior Badminton Champion Zulfadli Zulkifli, 18, would be crowned the 2011 SAM-100PLUS-KBS Best Young Athlete of the Year.SAM President Ahmad Khawari Isa said Zulfadli was selected based on his success in winning the World Junior Badminton title in Taiwan and the Asian Junior title in India, both held last year.
"This is in line with the objective of the SAM-100Plus-KBS award which recognises the achievements of not only journalists but sportsmen as well," he said at the SAM-100Plus-KBS 2011 awards announcement here Monday.
He said Zulfadli would receive a trophy and RM3,000 cash during the awards night to be held at a leading hotel in Petaling Jaya on Sunday and attended by Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.
Ahmad Khawari said apart from the Young Athlete of the Year award, 11 other athletes were nominated for the 2011 Athlete of the Year award which included badminton's world number one singles player Datuk Lee Chong Wei, women's world number one squash player Datuk Nicol David and diver Pandelela Rinong.
Also nominated were Fatehah Mustafa, Jupha Somnet (cycling), Nur Suryani Taibi (shooting), Jacqueline Jenelee, Adrian Ang (tenpin bowling), Aaliyah Yoong (waterski), Kevan Cheah (wushu) and the men's recurve archery team.
He said the awards night would also honour an individual athlete or team that achieved outstanding success in the field of sport and receive the 'Outdo Yourself" award while two newly introduced awards are "Best Comeback Athlete" and "Most Dynamic Association" awards.
As for the journalist awards, Ahmad Khawari said 200 entries had been received for the six categories contested, namely Best News Report (Print, Electronic media), Best Commentary (print, electronic media), special report (print, electronic media) and best photograph award. - Bernama
