ARAU: Universiti Sains Malaysia, has honoured two Malaysians who have done their country proud with the Anugerah Kencana Canselor award.
Angkasawan Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor received his award from the chancellor, Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin, at Istana Arau yesterday.
He received the honour for his contributions to the field of science and space exploration.
The other recipient, the world's top ranking squash player, Datuk Nicol Ann David, could not be present as she was in Hong Kong.
Nicol received the award for her excellence in squash, making Malaysia a known name in the world squash arena.
Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin also presented the Anugerah Pelajaran DiRaja to USM students Jamsari Amirul Firdaus Jamaluddin and Jasy Liew Suet Yan for academic excellence.
Amirul and Liew each received a certificate of appreciation, a gold medal and RM1,000.
USM honours angkasawan, Nicol and students
Labels: Awards and Honours, Latest News, Off the T, What's New
The Felda Sungai Tiang Pendang Youth Association came out tops today as the winner of the Youth Association Excellence Award at the 2008 Felda Malaysia Youth Award and Forum (ABFM) ceremony Monday.
The association received a cash prize of RM7,000, financial aid for activities worth RM6,000, funding for educational programmes worth RM25,000, trophies and certificates.
Second and third place went to Felda Aring Gua Musang Youth Association and Felda Pasoh 4 Jelebu Youth Association, respectively.
The prizes were given by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak.
At the ceremony, 10 youth icons also received awards in recognition of their achievements and contributions.
Recipients of this award include world squash champion Datuk Nicol Ann David, national mariner Datuk Azahar Mansur, second national astronaut Mejar Dr Faiz Khaleed and polar explorer Datin Paduka Sharifah Mazlina Syed Abdul Kadir.
Other recipients include cartoonist Lat or Datuk Mohd Nor Khalid, volunteer Datuk Dr Jemilah Mahmood, motivational expert Datuk Dr Mohd Fadzilah Kamsah, national bowling champion Shalin Zulkifli, first Malaysian woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest Marina Ahmad and contemporary nasyid pioneer Kumpulan Raihan.
Meanwhile, disabled youth Mat Jamil Ramli, of Felda Bukit Bading, Terengganu, was announced recipient of a new award, the ABFM Special Judging Panel award.
Mat Jamil, 24, who is a graphic designer for a leading supermarket here, is not only skilled in graphic design but also painting and drawing.
"It is not easy to go through life because people look down on us, but my strength to compete with those who are normal comes from my spirit and support from my family," he said when met by reporters.
Another disabled youth, Muhammad Mat Nayan, from Felda Trolak Timur, Perak, received the Special Personality Award with a prize of RM1,500, trophy and certificate.
Muhammad, 28, who is an educator at a community centre and active in sports, has won almost 20 gold medals in various sports competitions, including weightlifting and wheelchair racing.
-- BERNAMA
The world's leading players were honoured at the fourth annual World Squash Awards took place at the stunning Manchester Town Hall on Saturday the 18th of October, during the Hi-Tec World Squash Championships.
The presentations took place in the appropriate setting of the Great Hall in the historic Manchester Town Hall before a packed gathering of VIPs, players and officials from the sport during the city’s hosting of the Hi-Tec World Squash Championships – the first joint staging of the Men’s and Women’s World Opens in the UK.
Nicol David, the world number one from Malaysia who went on to win the women's World Open title for a third time in Manchester, won the WISPA Player of the Year Award for the fourth year in a row. David received the award from fellow countryman HRH Prince Tunku Imran, Patron of the WSF and a prime mover in Squash making its debut in the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur in 1998.
"Thanks to everybody," said Nicol after receiving the award as voted by the WISPA membership. "Having Squash in the Commonwealth Games in Malaysia really sparked things off for me - and I'm grateful for the great support I've had all the way."
Having reached seven PSA Tour Finals in the past 12 months and reached number three in the World Rankings, England's James Willstrop beat Egyptians Amr Shabana and Ramy Ashour to win the PSA Player of the Year Award. "It means a great deal to be recognised by such a distinguished group of people, and at such an event," said the world No3 from Yorkshire after receiving his prize from the newly-elected PSA Chairman Ziad Al-Turki. "And it's quite nice to get one over on Ramy and Shabs!"
Hong Kong's Annie Au won the WISPA Young Player of the Year Award. "I'm very happy to get this award," said the 19-year-old who battled through to the last 16 of the World Open. "I thank Hong Kong Squash for giving me so much support."
Omar Mosaad, a 20-year-old from Cairo, picked up the PSA Young Player of the Year Award. Egyptian national coach Amir Wagih, who collected the award on behalf of Mosaad, was asked the secret of Egypt's success in Squash: "Not for export!" was the former international's brief response!
England international Laura Lengthorn-Massaro won the WISPA Most Improved Player of the Year Award. "It means a lot to me," said the 24-year-old from Lancashire.
There was a surprise Services to Squash Award which was presented to Jim Quigley, Manchester City Council's Head of Major Sports Events and Partnerships. The driving force behind the staging of numerous major Squash events in the city over the past 12 years - including the 2008 World Championships, the National Championships, the British Open and the 2002 Commonwealth Games - Quigley admitted that 'Squash is my passion'.
"I am proud to have been given the opportunity by Manchester City Council to do this," Quigley. "The staging of the Commonwealth Games here led to a legacy programme which has inspired more than 6,000 youngsters to take up the sport - many of whom have played in these championships."
Squash legends Hashim & Azam Khan, together with Australian Geoff Hunt, have been honoured with Lifetime Achievement Awards at the World Squash Awards in Manchester.
Hashim Khan, born in Pakistan in 1916, won the British Open seven times between 1951 and 1958. The distinguished 92-year-old – who only recently gave up playing the sport - journeyed from his home in Denver, USA, to receive his award.
His younger brother Azam Khan, based in the UK, continued the family’s association with the sport’s most coveted title - firstly finishing as runner-up to Hashim in three British Open finals before going on to claim the title four times, from 1959 to 1962!
Geoff Hunt took up the gauntlet thrown down by British hero Jonah Barrington - winning his first British Open crown in 1969 before picking up a total of eight titles by 1981.The presentations were made by Lifetime Achievement Award holder Jahangir Khan, the six times World Open champion and record ten-time British Open champion who ended his six-year reign as President of the World Squash Federation in Manchester.
Jahangir received a Special Award from the WSF. Emeritus President Susie Simcock delivered a citation in which she reminded the star-studded audience that 'JK' first came to prominence in 1979 when he won the World Amateur title, aged 15 - before going on to achieve a remarkable 774-match unbeaten run, over five years and eight months. Perhaps his most notable accolade, however, was the award of 'Sportsman of the Millennium' in Pakistan."Jahangir quite simply represents everything that's good about Squash - and everything that's good about sport," concluded Ms Simcock.
PSA Player of the Year: James Willstrop
PSA Most Improved Player of the Year: Omar Mosaad
WISPA Player of the Year: Nicol David
WISPA Young Player of the Year: Annie Au
WISPA Most Improved Player of the Year: Laura Lengthorn-Massaro
Special awards were made to:
Jim Quigley, Hashim and Azam Khan, Geoff Hunt and Jahangir Khan
For Extras- Visit Squash360
Photos by Fritz Borchert
Datuk Nicol nominated for The Outstanding Young Malaysian Award 2008
Labels: Awards and Honours, Latest News, Off the T, What's New
Datuk Nicol Ann David, currently the world's top squash player, is one of 16 finalists of The Outstanding Young Malaysian (TOYM) Awards 2008.
The 25-year-old is joined by Ramajuta Group of Companies executive chairman and managing director Datuk Raymond Chan Boon Siew, Phison Electronics Corporation president Pua Khein Seng and singer Tan Kheng Seong.
Chief judge Prof Datuk Wira Dr Mohammad Noor Salleh said the 16 were shortlisted from a list of 54 nominees.The shortlisting process took two months to complete. The nominees were evaluated based on guidelines which included contributions to the nation.
"It was an extremely difficult filtering process as all the nominees were exceptional in their own way," he said.
The TOYM program of Junior Chamber Malaysia serves to recognize up to ten individuals aged from 18 years to 40 years of age exemplify the best attributes of their country's best individual.
The Outstanding Young Malaysian would be named at a dinner ceremony on Nov 1, organised by the Junior Chamber International Malaysia (JCIM).
The ceremony will highlight each winner's career in narrative form and provide a stage from which the honourees can challenge and inspire young people from around the country. For each honouree, there will be a presentation profiling his/her accomplishments, followed by the trophy presentation, and an acceptance speech.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2008 Nominees WISPA Players of the Year 2008 WISPA PLAYER OF YEAR Nicol David (MAS) Shelley Kitchen (NZL) Madeline Perry (IRL) Isabelle Stoehr (FRA) Samantha Teran (MEX) WISPA YOUNG PLAYER Annie Au (HKG) Nour El Tayeb (EGY) Heba El Torky (EGY) Low Wee Wern (MAS) Dipika Pallikal (IND) WISPA MOST IMPROVED PLAYER Delia Arnold (MAS) Kasey Brown (AUS) Louise Crome (NZL) Line Hansen (DEN) Laura Lengthorn-Massaro (ENG) PSA Players of the Year 2008 PSA PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Ramy Ashour Amr Shabana James Willstrop PSA YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Aamir Atlas Khan Omar Mosad Tarek Momen Alphabetical Order.
Datuk Nicol was present at the Internazionali Di Squash Di Roma which was held from the 27th to 29th of June. Team NDOnline would like to thank Mr. Massimiliano for the following translation:
"The competitive Amateur Squash Association RSC, legally affiliated with the Italian Squash Games Federation of 1988, with the intent of offering a prestigious showcase in Lazio and Italy, an overwhelming world of squash and a new experience for sport fans, is proud to present the first meeting of the Squash Internationals of Rome 2008, which takes place June 27, 28, 29 at the Roman Sport Center, via del Ga0loppatoio 33, within the confines of Villa Borghese.In the presence of international and italian Squash players it will be possible to take part in a spectacular high level competition, in an event that draws attention to a fascinating sport that is growing in public interest. It is with great pride and satisfaction for the Society and the Roman Sport Center that, united by a competitive association established over the course of more than twenty years, they prepare to give a thrust to the Italian squash movement by way of new and challenging programs, offering the public an international event wherein the squash elite, for the first time at a roman venue, will give a symbolic seal officially recognizing the Italian Squash Games Federation, on the part of CONI."
The event, held at the Roman Sport Center, ended with Nicol David and Stephan Galifi as the winners. 
KUALA LUMPUR: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin yesterday conferred awards on 297 people at Istana Negara in conjunction with his birthday on June 2.
It is the nation's highest sporting award and only 10 people have received it since it was introduced in 1975.
"I am so happy. This award motivates me further to scale greater heights and if given the opportunity, I look forward to helping more Malaysians to seek excellence in squash," Nicol said after the investiture.
Full article here.
NGWA Datuk Nicol's field mission to the Gombak Forest Reserve
Labels: Latest News, Off the T, United Nations, What's NewExclusive from NicolDavidOnline.com
UNDP National Goodwill Ambassador(NGWA), Datuk Nicol David, visited the Gombak Forest Reserve to learn first hand about the Conservation of Biological Diversity through Improved Forest Planning Tools project, which seeks to develop better economic and ecological tools for improved forest management.
Datuk Nicol David inspecting a moth trap with researcher Anthony, who is from the Philippines. Anthony designed the moth trap to be portable and to be able to turn on automatically at night.
The team visiting the Temuan village
The project team at campSee also: Datuk Nicol David: Let Us Not Turn Our Backs on Nature
For more photos, click hereeeeeee...
Now she's bringing awareness to the streets..
Labels: Latest News, Off the T, United Nations, What's New
It looks like our UNDP National Goodwill Ambassador, (quite)fresh from her first field mission of the year to Sarawak, has taken to the streets in her bid to raise awareness on issues regarding HIV/AIDS.
Look at that shirt she's wearing- notice the red ribbon? The red ribbon is "used internationally as a symbol of the fight against AIDS, and worn by people throughout the year in support of people living with HIV and in remembrance of those who have died."
The Red Ribbon Project was created by the New York-based Visual AIDS Artists Caucus in 1991.
To learn more about Nicol and her role as the UNDP National Goodwill Ambassador for Malaysia, click here.
Photo credits: Bloggers Billy and Siawcheng!
THE Sports Writers Association of Malaysia (SAM) yesterday announced the names of five athletes who are on course for the SAM-100 Plus excellence award and the RM10,000 cash prize that goes with it.
Women's squash World No 1 Nicol David heads the nominations but is closely followed by national shuttlers Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong. The others are Wong Mew Choo (badminton), Lee Hup Wei (high jump) and Roslinda Samsu (pole vault).
Nicol won the award in 2005, while Kien Keat-Boon Heong won it in 2006.
Athletes are judged based on five elements -- success, discipline, consistency, personality and attraction.
"We are happy to support this event and have been associated with it for five years now," said F & N corporate affairs director Datuk Kamal Harun at a press conference. "And we feel it is the best way to reward an athlete for his or her hard work."
Read Also: Global Recognition
Datuk Nicol in the Malaysia Book of Records
Labels: Awards and Honours, Latest News, Off the T, What's New
Top row: Mawi, Dr.Sheikh, Datuk Siti Nurhaliza, Guang Liang,
Nicol holds 3 records1) First Back-to-Back World Champion
2) Youngest Asian Champion
3) First World Number One Player
Malaysia's current number one men's squash player and recent CIMB Malaysian Open winner Ong Beng Hee holds the record for First World Junior Champion.
Of course, let us not forget that Nicol was 'knighted' with the Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN) which carries the title "Datuk" in July. -Making her the youngest Datuk in the Penang state, possibly even the youngest in Malaysia. 
And in June, Nicol was conferred with the 'Order of Merit' by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin. With the conferment, Nicol became the first recipient of the award which was established on June 26, 1975. The award is limited to 10 recipients who have made significant contributions in arts, science and humanity and is given to Malaysians who are renowned at national and international levels.
Visit: The Malaysia Book of RecordsAbdullah Heaps Praises On Nicol, Challenges Olympics-bound Athletes
Labels: Awards and Honours, Latest News, Off the T, What's New
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 2 (Bernama) -- Heaping praises on Malaysia's squash queen Datuk Nicol Ann David, the prime minister has issued a challenge to Malaysian athletes bound for the Beijing Olympics:
Return home with a gold medal!
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi reasoned that while children aged eight or nine could bring glory to the country by winning three to four gold medals at the Formula Powerboat Championship in Italy recently, there was no reason why older sportsmen and sportswomen who were in their prime could not emulate that feat.
"The cemerlang (excellence), gemilang (glory) and terbilang (distinction) will be at the Olympics. That is what I want to see...we winning a gold medal.
"We have got silver previously, through badminton where we lost to the Indonesians," he said when fielding a question at the Malaysian Student Leaders Summit here, Saturday.
On the same note, he said Malaysia was once world champions in badminton, winning the Thomas Cup on a regular basis but currently, the situation had changed where the national team was finding it difficult to wrest the coveted cup in badminton.
"The real sport in which we are terbilang is squash, through our own Nicol David. She is not only terbilang but also cemerlang and gemilang. We need to keep on raising our standards," he said of the world number one woman squash player.
-- BERNAMA
Nicol David Overtakes Sarah Fitz-Gerald In World Ranking Records
Labels: Awards and Honours, Latest News, Off the T, What's New, WISPA, World Rankings
A month after completing her second full year as world number one, Malaysia's Nicol David now marks her 25th successive month at the top of the August Women's World Squash Rankings - thereby overtaking Australia's Sarah Fitz-Gerald to establish the third-longest unbroken run in the history of the Women's International
Fitz-Gerald, the record five-time World Open champion from Melbourne, topped the rankings unchallenged for 24 months from November 1996 to October 1998 - and went on to achieve a total of 40 months as world number one before retiring five years ago.
Nicol David now has only New Zealander Susan Devoy and
The 24-year-old from
"Nicol reaching this milestone is a sign of the champion she is and a hint of the champion yet to come," said Sarah Fitz-Gerald on hearing the Malaysian's latest achievement.
David heads an unchanged top four, with Natalie Grinham at two; her older sister Rachael Grinham at three and USA's Natalie Grainger at four.
However,
Datuk Nicol David: Let Us Not Turn Our Backs on Nature
Labels: Latest News, Off the T, United Nations, What's NewExclusive from NicolDavidOnline.com
A day after international women’s squash player and UNDP National Goodwill Ambassador Nicol David was conferred with the honorary title of Datuk for her contribution to her home state of Penang, the exuberant 25 year old hopped onto a plane and headed for the interiors of Sarawak for her first field mission for the year.
Trying for herself the basic transport facilities available to rural communities, Nicol and a small team from UNDP and the Sarawak Inland Waterway Transport System (SIWT) Study journeyed along the Batang Rajang for many hours to the far-flung community of Punan Bah, some 80km from Kapit. The Punan is one of ethnic groups under the Orang Ulu community and Punan Bah is the largest and oldest Punan longhouse in Sarawak.
Currently, UNDP and SRB are concluding the Sarawak Inland Waterway Transport System (SIWT) Study. The two-year development project seeks to enhance river transportation in the state and support more effective use of water and related resources to alleviate rural poverty, while improving environmental management and contributing to the UN Millenium Development Goals (MDGs).
Nicol visited SK Punan Bah, a primary school lining the banks of Sungai Punan, and read a story titled, “Togu and the Trees of Life” to a group of delighted children during their afternoon tutoring session.
....Read More
GEORGE TOWN: Datuk Nicol David, who is the state's youngest Datuk, probably will need some time to get used to the title.
Nicol, who was among 497 state award recipients, received the Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN) award which carries the title Datuk.
The reigning world woman's squash champion will, however, have to postpone celebrations as training and other obligations had her schedule booked for the next two weeks.
"She just got in from Amsterdam on Friday and she'll be leaving for Sarawak on Sunday to fulfil her duties as a United Nations Development Programme ambassador.
"The Malaysian Open and Singapore Open are also around the corner so it's a pretty hectic schedule for her," said Nicol's father Desmond David, 61, who was present at the ceremony.
Squash Queen Nicol Is The Youngest Datuk In Penang
Labels: Awards and Honours, Latest News, Off the T, What's NewPENANG, July 12 (Bernama) -- She not only squashed her opponents to become the world number one women's squash player but Nicol Ann David now has the distincion of being the youngest person in Penang to be conferred a datukship.
Nicol, the three-time British Open champion, said she was surprised by the news yesterday that she will be among the 497 people to be conferred state awards in conjuction with Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas' 70th birthday celebrations today.
"I am very happy to be here today, and to be recognised by the state government would boost my form in the upcoming tournament," she told reporters after receiving her Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN) which carries the title "Datuk" at Dewan Sri Pinang here, Saturday.
Nicol will be defending her Malaysia Open title this year from July 21 to 26 before heading for the Singapore Masters which will be held from July 27 to Aug 2.
Early last month, the 'Squash Queen' was also the first recipient to be conferred the `Order of Merit' from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin.
_
World women's squash number one player Nicol Ann David is on the list of recipients of awards and medals in conjunction with Penang Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas’ 70th birthday tomorrow.
Nicol who was born in Penang, will receive the Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN), which carries the title 'Datuk'.
Congratulations Datuk! Join the fans in congratulating Datuk Nicol Ann David through our Fan Forum
.png){kind=logo}
