File photo shows Hii with the gold-plated commemorative award to be given out to top sports personalities.
SIBU: The HKL Sports Volunteer Extraordinaire award, another award category under the Hii King Leng (HKL) Sports Scholarship Fund initiated by entrepreneur Dr Gregory Hii Sui Cheng, has attracted five entries from throughout the state.
They include two each from Kuching and Miri and one from Sibu.
For the HKL-Top Sports Stars (HKL-TSS) award category, a total of 24 outstanding athletes had also applied for the award when entries for both award closed on June 30.
The bulk of the applicants for the TSS award are from the central region while a few top athletes from Kuching, Miri, Meradong and Sarikei also sent in their applications.
Hii expressed satisfaction on the response towards the two awards, saying more could have applied as there were still many outstanding student athletes from other divisions who qualify for the award.
“Hopefully, more student athletes will apply for the award for the next edition as the intention of the fund is to provide encouragement for students to excel in sports and studies,” he said when contacted.
Hii said he had yet to fix the date for the presentation of the awards.
The panel of judges comprises Sibu Resident Sim Kok Kee, lawyer Dato William Lau, SMK Sacred Heart principal Stephen Tang, Chinese educationist Hii Sui Ching, Rotary Club president Loh Wei Boon and Hii himself.
Touching on the HKL Sports Volunteer Extraordinaire award, Hii reiterated it was to give recognition to outstanding sports personalities or volunteers who have contributed significantly to sports in Sarawak.
He said they could include managers, coaches, leaders or even financiers who have been running organizations and working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that Sarawak stays in the forefront of sports glory.
The award carries a prize money of RM1,500 plus a gold-plated commemorative medal.
He said the whole purpose of coming up with the award was to give recognition to the deserving sports leader for their undying efforts to promote the development of sports.
“It is also to supplement the annual sports award given out by the State Sports Council,” he said.
Hii said this new category of award under the HKL Sports Award was his own initiative hatched several months ago.
He was happy that his initiative eventually materialized after the HKL Sports Scholarship received an additional funding boost from his brothers.
On the HKL-TSS award, Hii said it was entering its third year and thus far, had benefited about 30 outstanding athletes from Sarawak.
Among the beneficiaries are swimmers, athletes, bowlers, volleyball players, basketball players, table tennis players and taekwondo exponents.
Each award carries a cash prize of RM600 and a commemorative medal.
A successful candidate will get the RM600 cash award per year, for a period of two years, provided the athlete can continue to represent the state for the second consecutive year.
The HKL Sports Scholarship Fund, launched by Social Development Minister Tan Sri William Mawan in 2012 and with an initial grant of RM250,000, is to commemorate Hii’s father for his strong commitment towards charitable organisations and sports development in the state.