Seperate top prizes for men and women in 2021 Sports Stars Awards

In previous years, a single best of the best winner, male or female, was chosen by a judging panel and votes from the media and public. This year, five men and five women will be eligible for Sports Star of the Year Awards, from which one male and one female athlete will be given the best of the best titles.

Cheung and Haughey are favourites form the men’s and women’s titles respectively with an number of other athletes also in the running.

A total of 66 nominations from 33 sports associations have been received in the following categories: Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards for Men (five winners); Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards for Women (five winners); Best of the Best Hong Kong Sports Stars Award for Men, Best of the Best Hong Kong Sports Stars Award for Women; Hong Kong Sports Stars Award For Team Only Sport; and Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards For Team Event.

Among those nominated for the women’s award is snooker player Ng On-yee, the former world No 1 and three-time world champion who won the Eden Masters in England last year in her only tournament on the Women’s World Tour.

“I’m glad to be nominated in such difficult a year with many competitions cancelled. It’s been a very impressive year for Hong Kong Sports and some record-breaking results in the Olympic Games,” Ng, a past winner who is back to training after 21 days of quarantine, said.

“This has created attention for the athletes, and I hope the momentum continues with the public’s support.”

To boost support among the public, a video clip was made featuring tenpin bowler Wu Siu-hong, gymnast Charlie Chan; U23 football players Cheng Tsz-sum, Jesse Yu Joy-yin and Choy Tsz-to.

Members of the public who vote are eligible for lucky draw prizes. Voting can be done online between January 8 and 30 at https://sportstars2021.hkolympic.org/. Draw prizes include air miles, smart TVs, cash coupons and Ocean Park tickets.

The awards are organised by the SF&OC, Leisure and Cultural Services Department and supported by Cathay, Fila and the Shun Hing Group.

Other nominated men’s athletes include Angus Ng ka-long (badminton), gymnast Shek Wai-hung, table tennis player Wong Chun-ting, triathlete Oscar Coggins and golfer Kho Taichi.

Among the women’s nominees are Haughey, Ng, twice Olympic brone medallist Sarah Lee Wai-sze, fencer Vivian Kong Man-wai, karate Olympic bronze winner Grace Lau Mo-sheung and table tennis player Doo Hoi-kem.

The team only contenders include the Hong Kong rugby sevens team, the South China basketball team and the women’s handball squad.

Team event nominees include the Hong Kong mixed doubles badminton pair of Tang Chun-man and Tse Ying-suet, the men’s cycling time trial team, the fencing men’s foil team, the physically disabled boccia team and the women’s squash team.