NICE CAR: National diver, Pandelela Rinong Pamg posing with the Chevrolet Sonic she received during a ceremony held at Bukit Jalil yesterday.
SERDANG: The Ministry of Higher Education has confirmed that diving queen Pandelela Rinong Pamg will miss the Asean University Games (AUG) 2012 from Dec 12-22 in Laos.
Malaysian contingent head Prof Dr Yahaya Ibrahim said the Olympic bronze medallist is unable to participate due to her commitment with the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM).
“We have been told by OCM that Pandelela Rinong is to attend an official function to be attended by Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah on Dec 14. Coincidentally, Dec 14 is a competition day for the diving squad.
“Pandelela’s absence does not affect our medal target as we can count on other events. Archery and athletics can also contribute gold medals,” he told reporters after handing over Jalur Gemilang to the Malaysian contingent to AUG at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) here yesterday.
Also present at the ceremony were Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Dr Hou Kok Chung and Director-General of National Sports Council, Datuk Seri Zokples Embong.
Yahaya is optimistic that national divers Leong Mun Yee and Bryan Nickson Lomas can help the diving squad win gold medals at the biennial games.
Malaysia is targeting 36 gold medals from 306 athletes who will participate in 17 events at AUG.
The competing countries are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste, Vietnam and Laos.
Malaysia won 37 gold medals, 36 silver medals and 44 bronze medals at AUG 2010 in Chiangmai, Thailand. Meanwhile, Pandelela said she was unperturbed despite having to withdraw from AUG 2012 to honour the King who would be attending the Olympian award ceremony on Dec 14.
“However, I believe that other athletes will be able to contribute medals to the country at the Games,” she said after receiving a Chevrolet Sonic from Naza Group of Companies at the Bukit Jalil National Aquatic Centre.
Pandelela said she also missed the Asian Championship in Dubai last month due to an injury.
The car was presented by Naza Group of Companies joint group executive chairman Datuk SM Faisal SM Nasimuddin and witnessed by Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.
Pandelela said she would use the car to commute from Universiti Malaya to the Bukit Jalil National Aquatic Centre for training and she planned to take a driving licence. — Bernama