KUALA LUMPUR – The Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Melaka, Tun Mohd Ali Rustam, received the prestigious Sports Leadership Award at the Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM) 2023 Awards Ceremony.
In a statement today, SAM highlighted Ali’s significant contributions to both local and international sports, particularly karate, silat, and tenpin bowling.
“His leadership has propelled the Malaysian Karate Federation (Makaf) and the Malaysian Silat Association (Pesaka) to international recognition,” said SAM vice-president Mohd Hazreen Mubarak.
“MTBC’s consistent excellence and commitment to developing new talent have made them a cornerstone of Malaysia’s sports achievements.”
Ali, a prominent figure in both politics and sports, has had a significant impact on Malaysia’s sporting landscape.
His passion for martial arts is well-documented, having led Makaf for 13 years.
During his tenure, the national karate squad achieved numerous successes in regional and international competitions, including the SEA Games and the Asian Games.
Notably, under his leadership, Malaysia secured one silver and one bronze at the 2014 WKF World Championships in Germany.
Ali’s contributions extended beyond national borders, earning him a place on the executive committee of the World Karate Federation (WKF). He also led Pesaka for 20 years until 2020, helping the organisation secure multiple world championship titles.
In addition to honouring Ali, the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) received the Council’s Dynamic Sports Association Award at the SAM ceremony.
The MTBC has consistently achieved outstanding results on the international stage, largely due to the strategic management and planning of its officers and management team.
The national tenpin bowling squad, led by Asia’s champion Rafiq Ismail, showcased their prowess by winning four gold, five silver, and three bronze medals at the 2023 Asian Championships and eight gold, 11 silver, and six bronze medals at the World Championships.
The SAM 2023 Awards Ceremony also celebrated sports journalists, with cash prizes totaling over RM50,000.
Awards were given in six categories: best news report (print media), best news report (electronic media), best news review (print media), best news review (electronic media), best special report (open), and best sports photography.
The top sports journalism award, the Siebel Award, came with a cash prize of RM7,000 and a trophy.
Additionally, the ceremony featured the Popular Sports Commentator Award, with the winner determined through online public voting. – June 2, 2024