State planning grand welcoming reception for Pandelela

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NATIONAL HERO: Pandelela celebrates with Bukit Jalil Sports School students during her arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport from London yesterday. — Bernama photo

KUCHING: The state government has planned for a colourful celebration to welcome home diving princess Pandelela Rinong when she returns here on Aug 21.

The Ministry of Social Development (KPS) is said to have held a meeting yesterday to form a working committee for the event and plan the reception at Kuching International Airport.

“There will be a grand welcoming reception at Kuching International Airport for Pandelela and her family in the morning.

“Pandelela would then be brought over in a motorcade to Dewan Suarah Kuching for the main reception ceremony,” a source from the organising committee informed The Borneo Post in an exclusive interview.

“All I can say is that the state will make it a grand event and the state knows how to reward successful sports personalities that brought glory to the nation and Sarawak,” the source added.

According to the Permanent Secretary of KPS Affandi Keli, the celebration was to commemorate Pandalela’s success in the 2012 London Olympics.

“We shall anticipate her return. She is our own national hero and she deserves such grand welcome,” he added.

Also preparing for Pandelela’s return is the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) and according to its president Datu Ik Pahon Joyik, a traditional Bidayuh hero’s welcome will be organised for Pandelela.

It will be held at the DBNA complex here the following day.

“We expect many to attend the ceremony, especially the Bidayuh community.

“I think Minister of Infrastructure Development Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong will also attend,” he commented.

According to Ik Pahon, there will be an assortment of Bidayuh-style celebrations held on that day to mark and commemorate the accomplishment of Pandelela.

Meanwhile, Pandelela’s father Pamg Joheng has also revealed that he and his family will wait at the Kuching International Airport next week for the return of his daughter.

They are expected to be joined by thousands of her admirers and fans.

Pandelela along with other Malaysian Olympics athletes touched down at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) early yesterday.

Also present to welcome her at the airport was her mother Hartini Lamin.

In another development, although still fresh from competing in London, Pandelela have already revealed her next goal and target.

She is targeting top three placing at a diving meet which will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil next year.

“Although no one can doubt China’s dominance in diving at the moment, I will do my best. I know I can do it judging by my experience in London,” she said.