Datukship for Pandelela – why not?

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MALAYSIA can rightly lay claim to world supremacy in two racquet sports – women’s squash and men’s badminton.

Datuk Nicol Ann David is synonymous with all that is excellent in the former while in the latter, Datuk Lee Chong Wei is the current world number one.

Their top world rankings have proven that as a developing nation, Malaysia need not always play second fiddle in international sports. Given the opportunity, support and recognition, many of our sportsmen and women can shine on the world stage.

The two sports datuks — despite their impressive string of world titles — remain unpretentious and down to earth. Their steely heart to win is matched by their humility in victory and graciousness in defeat. By their fine examples, they serve as great role models to many budding sports talents in the country.

The government has done right by rewarding them for their world-beating feats. On top of that, their home state Penang has also honoured them with the title ‘datuk’ for their tremendous contributions to sports in the country.

Indeed, Datuk Nicol David and Datuk Lee Chong Wei are an inspiration to countless young Malaysian talents not only in sports but also other fields of endeavours.

No less worthy of mention is, of course, Sarawak’s famous daughter Pandelela Rinong, the nation’s highly-rated diving champion who has competed against and beaten some of the world’s best.

The 19-year-old Bau native achieved another first for the state when she was crowned the National Sportswoman for 2011 at mid-week, beating an elite field, including Datuk Nicol David and fellow Sarawakian bowling champion Jacqueline Jenelee Sijore, to the coveted title.

No other Sarawakians before her had won the National Sports Award for diving – and none will either after her in the foreseeable future. It’s a one-of-a-kind accomplishment we all can be justly proud of.

Pandelela’s achievements in international diving are only a source of enormous pride for the state but also irrefutable proof that even small town girl like her can become a world-class athlete with the right approach to grassroots development.

Interestingly, diving, long considered a local backwater sport, has been able to produce a world beater whereas some the state’s best equipped and financed sports are still struggling (and failing) to play catch up.

We dare say Pandelela’s fine international record in the very demanding sport of diving has been more than just a fleeting factor in the crystalisation of the multi-purpose New Sports Centre (with emphasis on aquatic sports) at Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi in Kuching.

The idea of having this modern sports facility was mooted after the talented Bidayuh lass became the first Malaysian to win a gold medal in diving at the Commonwealth Games since its inception in 1930. She achieved the breakthrough in the 10m platform individual event at the XIX Games in New Delhi to open a new chapter in international diving for Malaysia.

Over the years, Sarawak has produced some fine athletes who distinguished themselves in regional and international competitions but a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games level (for Sarawak) tops them all.

Diving – as a competitive sport – is no child’s play. The techniques and the courage required to execute them are a true test of character. It takes talent, discipline, dedication and sacrifice plus guts in equal, if not greater, measure, to become a top diver.

Imagine jumping off a high platform and doing to near perfection those highly technical and very difficult movements – twist, turn, roll, flip and somersault all at once – on the way down. It’s not only a sport for the very talented but the very brave as well.

Pandelela has shown that with hard work and a burning desire to excel, success in sports, as in any other endeavours, is possible. She began her long road to diving glory at the young age of seven.

The way up was no picnic – she had to practise seven days a week – but all the spartan training is now paying off with a brighter future for her and her family.

There is growing support to award Pandelela with a datukship for bringing so much sporting glory to the country. It has been suggested the conferment should come from the federal government.

But given that Datuk Nicol David and Datuk Lee Chong Wei were bestowed their titles by their home state (Penang), Pandelela could perhaps be honoured by Sarawak (her home state) too.

Such a move will be roundly applauded by all Sarawakians as not only appropriate but also just recognition for a local-born athlete who has put the state (and country) indelibly on the radar of international diving with her meritorious achievements.