Hii shows the gold-plated commemorative award to be given out to top sports personalities.
SIBU: Sports enthusiast Dr Gregory Hii Sui Cheng has incorporated another sports award under the Hii King Leng (HKL) Sports Scholarship Fund.
Tentatively to be known as HKL Sports Volunteer Extraordinaire, the award aims to give recognition to outstanding sports personalities or volunteers who have contributed significantly towards the development of sports in Sarawak.
They include managers, coaches, leaders or even financiers who have been running the organisations and working tirelessly behind the scene to ensure that Sarawak stay in the forefront in its pursuit for sports glory.
The award carries a prize money of RM1,500 cash with a gold-plated commemorative medal.
“The whole purpose is to give recognition to the deserving sports leader for the undying efforts pumped in to promote the development of the sport.
“And hopefully, through such award, it will help spur the sports personalities to work harder and help push the sports development in the state towards a new dimension with unseen heights,” Hii said.
He added the award was an additional recognition for sports personalities to supplement the annual sports awards given out by the State Sports Council.
He was happy that his initiative has materialised after the HKL Sports Scholarship Fund received an additional boost from his brothers.
The Fund was launched by Social Development Minister Tan Sri William Mawan in 2012 with an initial grant of RM250,000.
It was to commemorate Hii’s father for his strong commitment towards charitable organisations and sports development in the state.
Over the years, Hii explained, he had come across many sports leaders, coaches or financiers who worked tirelessly for the success of sports development in the state.
“They are the die-hard sports personalities who shown true dedication and commitment for sports development and had been working quietly round the clock without asking for any rewards.
“They are indeed the unsung heroes who not only deserve respect but also support and encouragement from the people.”
To qualify for the award, the recipient must achieve a degree of success in contributing towards the development of the particular sport he was involved in.
Hii, who is also the Chairman of Sibu Division Amateur Athletic Association and Deputy President of Sarawak Volleyball Association, said he would leave it to the candidates and their peers or colleagues to write in.
Recommendation letters can be sent to Delta Leasing Finance at 16, Ground Floor, Tuanku Osman Road or mailed to P. O. Box 85, 96000, Sibu.
The closing date for application is June 15.
Meanwhile, the HKL-Top Sports Star Award (HKL-TSS) is into its third year with over 20 outstanding sports stars having benefited from it.
Beneficiaries have included athletes in swimming, athletics, bowling, volleyball, basketball, table tennis and taekwondo.
Each award carries a cash prize of RM600 per year for two years and a commemorative medal.