KUANTAN — National weightlifter Mohamad Nasir Roslan and shuttler Lai Pei Jing have been named Pahang Sportsman and Sportswoman respectively at the 2021/2022 Pahang Sports Awards.
Pahang Regent Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah presented them with RM5,000 cash, a challenge trophy and a certificate of appreciation each.
The 25-year-old Nasir, who is with the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), described the recognition as morale-boosting, adding that it will encourage him to do his best in the international tournaments he will be competing in next January.
“I did not expect to win this award because the other candidates in this category were all awesome and represented the country also… and I have never been nominated for this award previously.
“This achievement comes after I have been involved in the sport since I was 14 and, with this award, I now have the responsibility to bring glory to the country and Pahang,” he told reporters after the awards ceremony here today.
Also present were Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail and state Communications and Multimedia, Youth, Sports and Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Committee chairman Fadzli Mohamad Kamal.
One of the biggest achievements of the Rompin-born Nasir was finishing seventh in the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
Also nominated for the Pahang Sportsman of the Year award were Abdul Rahim Shah Zulfaqqar (karate), Wan Muhammad Syafiq Wan Mustaza (shooting), Ahmad Faizul Aswad Mohamed (sailing) and Mohd Taqiyuddin Hamid (silat).
Meanwhile, the 31-year-old Pei Jing hopes the award will inspire the younger generation to take up badminton and provide backup for the state.
The Kuantan-born Pei Jing defeated Koi Sie Yan (rhythmic gymnastics), Nuraini Abdul Rashid (hockey), Nor Sarah Adi (athletics) and Nur Shazrin Mohammad Latif (sailing) to win the Sportswoman award.
She also thanked the Pahang government and the Pahang Sports Council for always supporting her since she began her badminton career as an eight-year-old.
The mixed doubles shuttler was chosen based on her excellent achievement, among them were winning a gold and a bronze at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games and a bronze at the 2022 Korean Open.
The ceremony also saw Raub-born long-distance runner Muhammad Ikbolasen Kamal Hussain and sailor Nur Alia Ameera Mohamad Latif clinching the Promising Sportsman and Sportswoman awards respectively.
The duo, both aged 20, each took home RM3,000 cash, a trophy and a certificate of appreciation. — September 19, 2023
