SINGAPORE - There were few surprises when the nominees for the 2014 Singapore Sports Awards were revealed on Friday evening, with swimmer Joseph Schooling among those shortlisted for the Sportsman of the Year accolade.
The 20-year-old had a breakthrough year in 2014, where he won Singapore swimming's first medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as well as the men's swimming's first gold at the Asian Games in Incheon. He is The Straits Times' 2014 Athlete of the Year winner.
Badminton player Derek Wong, who won a silver at the Commonwealth Games, as well as table tennis player Zhan Jian, who won two golds and a bronze in Glasgow, are also in the running for the award.
Meanwhile, shooter Jasmine Ser, table tennis player Feng Tianwei, swimmer Tao Li and bowler Jazreel Tan will vie for the Sportswomen of the Year award.
In the Sportsboy of the Year award, Aloysius Yapp of cuesports, sailor Bernie Chin and wushu's Adalia Jesse Colin are in contention while Samantha Yom (sailing), Martina Lindsay Veloso (shooting) and Lin Ye (table tennis) have been nominated for the Sportsgirl of the Year award.
For the Coach of the Year award, swimming's Sergio Lopez Miro, bowling's Remy Ong, table tennis' Jing Junhong and sailing's Fernando Alegre made the final shortlist.
A total of 11 awards will be given out at an awards ceremony on Aug 5 at the Marina Mandarin Hotel.
After a packed sports calendar in 2014 which included the Youth Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, members of the selection committee had many outstanding performances to make their choices from.
Said Annabel Pennefather, chairman of the awards organising committee: "The year 2014 was a particularly memorable one for our athletes and teams where they punched above their weight and proved their mettle at three major Games.
"There were many commendable nominations put forward by the National Sports Associations for consideration. It is indeed very encouraging to see representatives from different sports making the final shortlist."
The Singapore Sports Awards is organised by the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) and Sport Singapore (SportSG), and supported by the Tote Board. The main awards selection committee was chaired by Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin, who is also president of SNOC while the Sportsboy and Sportsgirl awards selection committee was chaired by SNOC vice-president Dr Tan Eng Liang.
