Pandelela (second right) celebrate with (from right) Cheong Jun Hoong, Leong Mun Yee and Nur Dhabitah Sabri after the prize presentation in Gold Coast, Australia on Wednesday.
KUCHING: National diving queen Pandelela Rinong Pamg has done Sarawak and the country proud by winning Malaysia’s third gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia on Wednesday.
She combined with Cheong Jun Hoong to win the women’s 10m synchronised platform gold medal at the Optus Aquatic Centre with 328.08 points.
Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abduk Karim Rahman Hamzah led the cheers as he heaped praises on Pandelela.
“Congratulations to Pandelela on her excellent achievement. This is indeed a success that has done Malaysia and Sarawak proud.
“I hope she can continue to do well in sports,” he said.
Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan said Pandelela deserves all the support for bringing honour again and again to the state and nation.
“Her achievement in this year’s Commonwealth Games will become another memorable event for all of us because the gold medal is also Malaysia’s first ever gold medal in the synchro category.”
“It is our hope for Pandelela’s achievement to motivate our local athletes to continue work hard in their quests to become world champions and this will also contribute to our vision in becoming the sports powerhouse in the country,” he added.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Sports Corporation CEO Dr Ong Kong Swee, who joined n the chorus of congratulations, commended Pandelela for her sustained commitment and dedication to excel.
“I am very proud for her because this shows that she still have the fire and determination to go for the best. I also feel happy for her and for Malaysia and Sarawak because we have a gold medal for able-bodied athletes and just a day ago para lifter Jong Yie Khee won the silver in the heavyweight category in powerlifting.
“Sarawak have many talented athletes of world calibre and we are proud for both of them,” he added.