Qabil, Mun Yee honoured

10/11/2001

QABIL Ambak Mohamed Fathil and Leong Mun Yee were last night crowned as
the 2001 Olympian of the Year in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Qabil, who was adjudged athlete of the KL Games, won four gold medals in
equestrian at the recent Kuala Lumpur Sea Games while Mun Yee also won
four gold medals in diving at the Games.
The awards were presented by DYMM Al-Wathique Al-Sultan Mizan Zainal
Abidin, the Sultan of Terengganu, and it carries with it a cash reward of
RM10,000 and a gold medal.
Qabil, 21, won gold in dressage, team dressage, showjumping and team
showjumping while Mun Yee won gold in the 3m platform, 10m platform, 3m
springboard synchronised and 10m platform synchronised.
"I'm happy to receive the award. I didn't expect it at all," said Qabil,
a business administration student in Brussels, Beligum.
"This my semester break and I will return to start training for the
Pusan Games. In the Bangkok Games I won a silver but I want to improve on
that. My next assignment will be the World Cup final in Germany in May."
Mun Yee, who is sitting for her SPM examination, also hopes to do well
in the Asian Games.
"I'm very excited about the award and the money. I will be using it to
further my studies," she said.
Olympic Council of Malaysia secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi said this is
the first time that equestrian and diving received the awards since its
inception in 1993.
Sieh was also rewarded yesterday with the 2001 IOC Trophy, Sports And
Volunteers, in recognition of over 30 years of volunteer service he has
contributed to sports in Malaysia in various capacities and levels.
The trophy was presented by Sports Minister Datuk Hishammuddin Hussein
Onn.
"The annual Olympian of the Year awards are presented to the most
outstanding male and female athlete of the multi-sports games of that
year. For odd years, the Olympians of the Year are selected from the
athletes who participated in the Sea Games of the year.
"While for even years, the winners are selected from either the
Olympics, Asian or the Commonwealth Games," said Sieh.
The IOC Diplomas for Sports Volunteerism went to: Malaysian Red Crecent,
St John's Ambulance, Paralimpic Council of Malaysia and Dean of Diplomatic
Corp and Ambassador of Poland Marek Paszucha who has served as volunteer
sports official in basketball at various positions and levels for more
than 35 years.
jugjet@nstp.com.my
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