Singapore's sportsmen snubbed by Singapore Sports Awards body for annual awards

ALL content used in this not-for-profit blog remain the property of their respective owners.
http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Sports/Story/A1Story20130529-425871.html

The Singapore Sports Awards body have caused a stir by failing to nominate anyone for the annual sportsman of the year award, reports said on Wednesday.

Despite a men's football team which claimed a record fourth Southeast Asian title, an Olympic sailor and a world champion in the regional martial art of silat, the men's shortlist released by organisers was left blank.

Candidates were named in the best sportswoman, boy, girl, coach and team categories, but the decision to leave the men's award blank annoyed some administrators. List of finalists and awardees

"We acknowledge the athletes for their achievements," said Jessie Phua, chairwoman of the Singapore Sports Awards body, according to the Straits Times newspaper.

"However, the bar has been raised and this year, there just wasn't a milestone that was significant to give this award out."

"Is Shakir's world title not good enough?" said Sheikh Alauddin, chief of the Singapore Silat Federation, referring to Muhammad Shakir Juanda who was crowned world champion in December.

Singapore also refused to hand out the sportsman of the year award in 2009 and 2010.