Zulfadli wins ‘Best Young Athlete’ award
PETALING JAYA: World junior badminton champion Zulfadli Zulkifli was named as the SAM-100 PLUSKBS “Best Young Athlete” for 2011 by the Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM) yesterday.
The 18-year-old Zulfadli made history by becoming the first Malaysian to win the boys’ singles’ crown at the World Junior Championship in Taiwan after stunning favourite and defending champion Victor Axelsen of Denmark 21-18, 9-21, 21-19 last November.
Earlier, in April, he also became the first Malaysian to clinch the Asian Junior title in India.
An elated Zulfadli said the award will spur him on to win more titles.
“I’m surprised to be named as the winner but am obviously very happy to be chosen,” said Zulfadli.
“The award will motivate me to do better this year.
“I also want to thank all the sports writers who had supported me.”
Zulfadli, winner of the 100PLUS National Junior Circuit last year, will receive the award and RM3,000 during a ceremony this Sunday.
The highlight of the ceremony will be the “Athlete of the Year 2011” award.
A total of 11 nominees were selected. Five were shortlisted with the winner for each category selected by SAM members.
The five shortlisted nominees will receive RM1,000 each while the winner takes home RM10,000 and a crystal trophy.
The 11 nominees are Lee Chong Wei ( badminton), Nicol David (squash), Pandelela Rinong (diving), Fatehah Mustapha and Ju Pha Som Net (cycling), Nur Suryani Taibi (shooting), Jacqueline Jenelee and Adrian Ang (bowling), Aaliyah Yoong (water-ski), Kevan Cheah (wushu) and the men’s recurve team (archery).
This year, SAM have also introduced two new awards – “Best Comeback Athlete” and “Most Dynamic Association”.
A total of RM45,000 is also up for grabs for SAM members under six categories – best news report ( print), best commentary ( print), best news report ( electronic), best commentary ( electronic), best special report ( print and electronic) and best photography.
A Grand Overall Award winner will be picked from the six categories and will take home RM7,000 and a crystal trophy.
Each winner of the six categories will receive RM3,000 and a trophy.
All five nominees for each of the six categories will receive RM500 and a medal.