PUTRAJAYA, April 11 (Bernama) -- National junior Aifa Azman is proud to be only the second women’s squash player after former world No. 1 Datuk Nicol David to win the Gold Sportsperson Award at the 2018 Education Ministry (MOE)-Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM)-MILO Sports Awards ceremony.
The Gold Award is the highest accolade on offer and is only given out to an athlete who excels academically as well as in sports.
Aifa, 18, received the recognition after winning last year’s British Junior Open in Birmingham as well as four titles in the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Tour.
“The award has made me more determined and a catalyst to aim for more success in the future. This award means a lot to me and I am proud because only Nicol has won it before. I can achieve what my idol already has,” she said.
The Kedah squash player said the recognition was just the boost she needed as she prepares for the Asian Individual Championships in Kuala Lumpur in May.
However, Aifa is aware that she will have to work way harder if she wanted to follow in the footsteps of and be on par with Nicol.
“I have competed in the PSA Tour and faced players ranked in the world’s top 20. So, I know I have to work harder to achieve bigger success,” she said.
Meanwhile, national gymnasts Izzah Amzan and national sailor Muhammad Fauzi Kaman Shah won the Sportsgirl and Sportsboy awards respectively.
The other winners are:
Most Promising Athlete Award (female): Tan Rouxin (swimming)
Most Promising Athlete Award (male): Harith Danial Jefri (squash)
Special Education Athlete Award (female): Lalitta Bong (athletics)
Special Education Athlete Award (male): Eddy Bernard (athletics)
Special Award (female): Lee Hui Xian (wushu)
Special Award (male): Fariz Haikal Mohd Kadir (cycling)
Sportsgirl Award (female): Izzah Amzan (rhythmic gymnastics)
Sportsboy Award (male): Muhammad Fauzi Kaman Shah (sailing)
Gold Sportsperson Award: Aifa Azman (squash)
Dedicated Teacher Award (female): Keoh Lay Khuqn (rhythmic gymnastics)
Dedicated Teacher Award (male): R. Ganesh (athletics)
Coaching Excellence Award: Mohd Saizul Hafifi Md Noor (rugby)
Leadership Award: Nik Ahmad Yaakub (football)
Most Inspiring Sportsperson Award: National five-a-side team.
-- BERNAMA
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