Heaps of praises for Pandelela

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WELL DONE, PANDELELA: SMK Tabuan Jaya school principal, Hassan Wa’Gani (right) joins the school staff and students in celebrating Pandelela’s achievement at London Olympics, at the school’s compound in Tabuan Jaya yesterday.

Yayasan Sarawak plans to invite diving queen for statewide motivational talks

KUCHING: National diving champion, Pandelela Rinong Pamg may soon assume the role of a youth ambassador to inspire younger generations to ascribe to greater heights in achieving greatness and purpose in life.

The Olympian’s first role may possibly take her on a statewide tour under the purview of Yayasan Sarawak to give motivational talks to inspire youths and students.

“Pandelela’s achievement is absolutely fantastic…we should make her a national youth icon. We are truly proud of her, especially so as she is Sarawakian,” commented Assistant Minister of Public Utilities Dr Stephen Rundi.

 

ALL FOR ONE: Pandelela (third right) celebrate her bronze medal victory with teammates Leong Mun Yee (second left), Ng Yan Yee (third left) Yeoh Ken Nee (fourth left), Traisy Vivien (second right) and officials. — Bernama photo

“We are indeed very proud of Pandelela…she can be a great inspiration to our youngsters especially our students,” he added.

“Moving forward to our Vision 2020, Sarawak needs youngsters to have such spirit to be leaders and lead Sarawak to be an industrialised state…Yayasan Sarawak is willing to bring her to our statewide motivational programmes,” remarked Yayasan Sarawak director Mohd Abu Bakar Marzuki.

He added that Pandelela showed to the world that Sarawakians can make it to the international sports scene.

“May her accomplishments become a motivation to other sportsmen and sportswomen in the state to ascribe to greater heights,” Mohd Abu Bakar enthused.

Meanwhile Assistant Minister for Community Services, Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie said that Pandelela should be given a rousing hero’s welcome when she comes home to Kuching soon.

“She deserves due recognition and to be given a hero’s welcome by the nation, the State and the Bidayuh community…I hope our leaders and the appropriate authority will initiate it. I stand ready to be part of it,” he added.

“Well done and keep it up Pandelela!” said assistant minister for tourism, Datuk Talib Zulpilip.

“We must collectively congratulate her as we jointly share her joy and happiness with her family and all Malaysians…in Sarawak alone we feel extra proud, no doubt as our local girl has shine at world level,” he added.

According to him, Pandelela had excelled in a very competitive sport because there are many world class divers from more established countries vying for the medals.

Talib added that talent must be coupled with hard work, determination and discipline. “Pandelela is young enough to go further and she makes a good role model for other young aspiring Malaysian athletes,” said Talib who is also SEDC chairman. According to him, SEDC will study on what kind of reward to be given to the 19-year-old diving sensation.

Political secretary to the Chief Minister, Sharifah Hasidah Ghazali Aman described Pandelela as a gem and an inspiration to all young girls in Sarawak.

“She is a gem and she has proven that, irrespective of where we come from, what our gender is, we all can achieve greatness if we are disciplined, committed and willing to work hard to achieve what we want in life’” she said.

“She is an inspiration to us all and we are proud to have a world class athlete among us… and she is just19,” said Sharifah Hasidah who is also Semariang Assemblywoman.

Sukma XV deputy chef de mission Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi said that Pandelela’s accomplishments in the world sporting arena as an incredible feat.

“Pandelela showed a magnificent performance despite facing the world’s best in diving. With the spirit of Malaysia Boleh and Sarawak Boleh, she was able to overcome all odds and grab a medal at the London Olympics,” added Abdul Rahman who is also Pantai Damai Assemblyman.

A prominent Bidayuh entrepreneur Granda Aing said that Pandelela’s podium finish was not attributed to just plain luck as many sceptics have said.

“I watched her dives and her victory was no luck…the sports of diving is a tough and difficult event but in spite of intense competition, Pandelela prevails. Her first jump was not so good and it showed in her face. But she did not give up. Instead she used that to improve her four jumps and the rest was history,” said Granda.

“Pandelela is really worthy of admiration and praise by all of us. Despite her young age, she shows a lot of determination, focus, and obviously the ability to perform under enormous pressure”, he added.

“On behalf of the Bidayuh community I wish to congratulate Pandelela for winning the bronze at the London Olympics…this is a historic achievement for us in Sarawak and for Malaysia in general,” Granda said in admiration for the athlete who is a worthy role model for the youngsters to emulate especially Bidayuh youths.

Permanent secretary to Ministry for Resource Planning and Environment, Datu Sudarsono Osman said the people of Sarawak are all proud of Pandelela.

“I am happy for her…all of her years of hard work and determination have finally paid off,” he said on the state’s modern day Olympian who still has some years to go before reaching the peak of her career as a world class athlete.

“I wish her more success in future competitions…I like to see her conferred the state honours in conjunction with the Head of State birthday celebrations next month,” said Sudarsono who is also Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) president.

Pandelela, who trains at least seven hours daily, comes from a humble Bidayuh family in Kampung Jugan, Bau who sometimes struggle to get by.