14-Jun-05: Top Award for Nicol As predicted in this week's Shorts, Malaysia's squash queen Nicol David has become the first winner of the new Penang Premier TYT Challenge Trophy, the highest award accorded to an athlete by the state – at the 2004 Sports Awards ceremony at the Hotel Equatorial Bukit Jambul. On a night when karate bagged both the Best Sportsman and Best Sportswoman titles through Ku Jin Keat and Lim Lee Lee respectively, the highest accolade was reserved for Nicol. 21-year-old Nicol, who had already won the Penang Best Sportswoman award a re-cord six times in the last seven years, was the deserving recipient of the premier award, the brainchild of Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, which was introduced to recognise the achievements of Penang athletes who excel on the international stage. Nicol’s achievements in 2004 included surging to number six in the world rankings (since improved to number three) and progressing to the semi-finals of the Women’s World Open. "She will be proud when she hears about this award," said Nicol’s father Desmond David, accepting the award on her behalf. "On behalf of Nicol, I would like to thank everybody for supporting her."

Also see: Malaysia Marvels at Nicol's Success THE ROLL OF HONOUR Premier Challenge Trophy: Nicol David (squash) Best Sportsman: Ku Jin Keat (karate) Best Sportswoman: Lim Lee Lee (karate) Most Promising Athlete (Male): Mohd Fauzan Ahmad Lutfi (cycling) Most Promising Athlete (Female): Muslifah Zulkifli (shooting) Best Men’s Team: President Cup Football Squad Best Women’s Team: 10th Sukma Games Archery Team Best Coach: Teh Seng Huat, Teh Peng Huat (badminton) Special Award for Disa- bled Athletes: Mohd Yuspi Mat Dali (powerlifting) Sports Leadership Award: Gilbert Chan (tennis)