KUALA LUMPUR – In collaboration with the National Unity Ministry, the Sportswriters’ Association of Malaysia (SAM) will be introducing two new categories under the Unity Award – for the Best Unity Report and the Best Unity Photography – at the SAM 100Plus Unity 2020/2021 Awards.
Taking place on September 6, the ceremony combines the past two editions – which were affected due to the pandemic in the previous two years – and offers RM109,000 in prize money, the biggest in its history.
In a statement, SAM president Norismadi Abdul Manap said the collaboration is seen as another validation for sports media in the country that play an indirect role to promote unity through news reports and photography.
“SAM hopes working together with the National Unity Ministry continues in the future. This collaboration proves that the sports journalists and photographers are agents of unity through their work,” he said.
Although newly introduced, Norismadi said the two Unity awards have received encouraging responses, with almost 100 entries.
“Through this collaboration, we want to give SAM members the chance to innovate their work and venture into other sides of sports writing. Photographers can showcase their best works related to unity in the new category.
“Sports are an important element in forming unity. I hope this strategic cooperation will continue and we welcome the same from other parties,” he added.
The SAM Awards was started in 1985 to appreciate the roles of athletes and local sports media, with six award categories contested in 2009, in addition to the Best Athlete and Best Para Athlete awards.
The six categories are Best News Report (Print Media), Best News Report (Electronic Media), Best News Review (Print Media), Best News Review (Electronic Media), Best Special Report (Open) and Best Sports Photography.
The late Datuk Sieh Kok Chi and Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong have been picked as posthumous recipients of the Special Award this year.
Almost 200 entries have been received from sports portals for this year, with 17 awards to be given out, and the winner of the Siebel Award will bring home a cash prize of RM7,000. – The Vibes, September 4, 2022
