As reported by The Straits Times, the ceremony has been held annually since 2009 to recognise and honour Singaporean athletes whose individual and collective triumphs and achievements lit up national sport. 

This year's event was expected to attract 200 attendees, including Singapore's sports leaders, National Sports Association heads, national athletes, former Olympians as well as participants from the National School Games (NSG).

"While we regret having to postpone this event, the safety of all our participants is our top concern, especially since quite a few of our guests are youths in the sporting community," Straits Times editor Warren Fernandez said.

"So, unfortunately, we will have to defer the event and plan to meet again another time."

Several sporting events have been postponed or cancelled due to coronavirus, which originated in Chinese city Wuhan.

Numerous quarantines and travel restrictions are in place across the world.

There have now been more than 60,000 cases and 1,300 deaths, with the vast majority of infected people in China.

A group of 28 countries and territories are affected in all, with the World Health Organization declaring a global emergency. 

Last week, Singapore moved its disease outbreak response up a level to orange and banned spectators from its ongoing NSG due to coronavirus fears.