Two Datuks from Penang tipped for title

In line for her sixth National Sportswoman of the Year title

Olympic Games finalist

The only two active athletes conferred with Datukships are tipped to take the top honours in the 2008 National Sports Awards on Monday, to be held for the first time ever at the Mandarin Oriental.

Datuk Nicol Ann David notched 10 titles and kept her No 1 ranking throughout 2008 and therefore nobody will begrudge her if she is handed her sixth National Sportswoman of the Year title. She bagged the honour in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2007 . Interestingly the leading candidate in the men's category is Beijing Olympics finalist, Datuk Lee Chong Wei, Nicol's fellow Penangite. If the duo were to take the limelight, it will be a repeat of the 2005 awards.

But if I may ask both the squash and badminton national bodies, who would succeed the two world-beaters in the foreseeable future?