Firm favourite: Nicol David obliging fans as she arrives at the Laureus World Sports Awards at Galeria De Cristal in Madrid. — Laureus
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s Datuk Nicol David flew the flag for squash as she attended the 25th anniversary of the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid earlier this week.
Laureus is a global organisation that celebrates the greatest and most inspirational sporting triumphs and uses the power of sports to transform the lives of children and young people around the world.
Spanish sensation: Nicol posing with tennis legend Rafael Nadal.
Forty-year-old Nicol, who is also an eight-time squash world champion, first became a Laureus Ambassador in 2014 before being officially announced as a member of the Laureus World Sports Academy – a recognised group of 69 sporting legends – in 2021.
As an Academy Member, Nicol is part of the ultimate sports jury, voting each year to decide on the winners of the Laureus World Sports Awards.
Among this year’s winners were 24-time Grand Slam tennis champion Novak Djokovic, four-time Olympic gold medal gymnast Simone Biles and football stars Aitana Bonmati and Jude Bellingham.
Other Academy Members alongside Nicol in attendance included the likes of Olympic champions Boris Becker, Michael Johnson, Jessica Ennis-Hill and football icons Roberto Carlos and Alessandro Del Piero.
Great company: Nicol with former French football player Patrice Evra and Mariana de Reyes, CEO & co-founder of Nicol David Organisation.
“It’s such an honour to be the only Malaysian Academy Member of @laureussport and getting the chance to vote and see my idols come together to celebrate the power of sports.
“So proud to be dressed by Malaysian stars @rizmanruzaini (all the ladies asked me about this beautiful dress and I felt so proud to say it’s from a fellow Malaysian,” Nicol posted on her social media account.
She was also delighted to meet tennis star Rafael Nadal.
“My favourite moment was meeting Rafa Nadal as he embodies true grit and determination.”
