The KPM-MSSM-Milo sports awards are held annually to recognize excellence and celebrate stellar achievements of Malaysia’s young promising athletes.

In 2023, having won the 1st place in the Malaysian Chess Championship for women category, Ainul Mardhiah Binti Mohd Afif was awarded the title Woman National Master (WNM). In the very same year, she won 3rd best woman prize in Johor International Chess Open. In addition to her achievements, she was also on the national youth squad playing in World Youth Chess Championship 2023 held in Montesilvano, Italy where she gained 114 points for standard rating. With that, she received an award from KPM for the best performing athlete under “Pendidikan Khas” category. WNM Ainul Mardhiah from SMK Datin Onn Jaafar is the fourth chess player to receive KPM-MSSM-Milo award. WFM Nur Najiha Azman Hisham won KPM award Tunas Harapan in 2009. International Master (IM) Mas Hafizulhelmi won the main KPM-MSSM award, Tunas Harapan back in 1995. We also learned that chess was in the news in 1990, in which both WNM Khairunissa Wahidduddin and IM Mas Hafizulhemi received the KPM awards but records are vague.

May WNM Ainul Mardhiah’s achievements be an inspiration and motivation to all.