KUALA LUMPUR: Former national silat athlete, Al-Jufferi Jamari was named Best Sports Icon of Harian Metro's Anugerah Ikon Sukan (AIS) today.
Meanwhile, Maisara Subhatina Md Fauzi, clinched the title of Most Creative Voter.
The prize-giving ceremony, graced by Harian Metro group editor Husain Jahit, celebrated the victories of the former athletes and contestants at Balai Berita NSTP Bangsar.
Al-Jufferi walked away with a Nissan X-Trail 2.0 (AT) hybrid version featuring a 2.0-liter MR20DD engine with an XTRONIC CVT transmission.
Meanwhile, Maisara received a Nissan Navara 2.5L V(AT), a spacious five-seater pickup measuring 5260 mm (L) x 1850 mm (W) x 1825 mm (H), equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 2.5-liter turbo diesel engine.
Also present were TV9 chief operating officer Sherina Mohamed Nordin, New Straits Times (NST) group editor Farrah Naz Karim and Berita Harian deputy group editor M. Thillinadan.
Also attending was Harian Metro sports and entertainment news senior editor and concurrently AIS project director Abdul Manan A Samad.
According to Husain, the winners were selected based on a 50-50 evaluation split between scores given by professional sports juries and fan votes.
The voting process engaged both online and offline methods (via forms published in NSTP newspapers).
A total of 107,713 votes were received, leading to Al-Jufferi being named Best Sports Icon and Gardenia Breakthru Male Sports Icon.
Meanwhile, Maisara's remarkably creative participation led to her win.
"As the organisers, we aim to recognise and appreciate the services and sacrifices given by our national athletes who have tirelessly strived to honour Malaysia's name.
"Harian Metro, as the main organiser, hopes that this award can continue in the coming years to serve as a catalyst, especially for the youth, that sports is a career that can secure their future and eventually contribute to one's economy, family, and the nation." he added.
Last year, Harian Metro launched the inaugural Anugerah Ikon Sukan (AIS) in recognition of the Malaysian sports industry and to celebrate the achievements of athletes.