PUTRAJAYA – Weightlifter Muhammad Erry Hidayat and rhythmic gymnast Ng Joe Ee took centre stage as they were crowned the Federal Territories’ Sportsman and Sportswoman at the 2021/2022 Federal Territories Sports Award Ceremony held tonight.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh presented the award to the athletes at the Cempaka Sari Auditorium in Putrajaya.
Erry, the son of Commonwealth Games gold medallist Hidayat Hamidun, was chosen ahead of swimmer Steve Khiew and karate exponent S. Prem Kumar.
His achievements include securing silver at the 2021 Asian Weightlifting Championships, silver at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, and bronze at the 2022 Hanoi Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam.
The 24-year-old not only achieved podium success but also set a new national record with a total lift of 310kg in the 73kg category.
Erry, named the 2022 Malaysian University Sports Council Sportsman of the Year, notably made history by becoming the first weightlifter to receive this award since its inception in 2007.
Meanwhile, Joe Ee overcame divers Nur Dhabitah Sabri and Wendy Ng Yani Yee to be named Sportswoman of the Year.
The 18-year-old’s stellar performance at the 2022 Birmingham Games, where she won two gold medals in the ribbon and ball disciplines, earned her the 2022 National Sportswoman title.
In addition to the accolades, both Joe Ee and Erry were presented with an RM8,000 cash prize, a trophy, and RM1,000 worth of sporting goods from Felet.
The Promising Sportsmen and Sportswomen Award went to silat exponents Muhammad Khairi Adib Azhar and Ain Najwa Muhamad Basri Darul, who received a trophy, a RM5,000 cash prize and RM1,000 worth of sporting goods from Felet.
Khairi won gold at the 2022 Malaysian Games (Sukma) and the 20th National Silat Championships, along with a silver medal at the World Championships in Melaka last year.
Ain Najwa, on the other hand, secured gold at Sukma 2022, silver at the Traditional Silat Open and another silver at the 6th Asian Pencak Silat Championships.
Men’s doubles player Soh Wooi Yik was honoured with the Special Award for his achievement, teaming up with Aaron Chia to win the bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. – November 28, 2023
The complete list of winners is as follows:
Male Para Athlete: Lee Chee Hong, Boccia (RM3,000 incentive)
Best Male Team: Canoe (RM5,000 incentive)
Best Female Team: Netball (RM5,000 incentive)
Best Sports Official: Ahmad Janius Abdullah, weightlifting (RM3,000 incentive)
Special Award for Sports Body: Kuala Lumpur Gymnastic Association (RM5,000 incentive)
Sports Leadership Figure Award: Petrina Low Lai Hun, gymnastics
Best Male Coach: Matin Guntail, weightlifting (RM3,000 incentive)
Best Female Coach: Afrita Ariany Nasril, gymnastics (RM3,000)
Deaf Sports Award: Foo Zu Tung, badminton (RM3,000)
