Luncheon with Pandelela at her village

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WELCOMING PANDELELA: (From left) Teo, Dr Tiki, Razali and Jaom discussing activities for the Aug 27 programme.

KUCHING: A special luncheon with diving queen Pandelela Rinong will be held at her village (Jugan) in Bau about 40 km from here on Aug 27.

Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek will be the guest-of-honour at the luncheon to be held at the village community hall starting 11am.

Dubbed ‘Biruman Bisamah Pandelela’ (feast with Pandelela), the event is organised by local community leaders and Mas Gading MP Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe in collaboration with the state Youth and Sports Department.

“Between 1,500 and 2,000 people are expected to attend the event.

“This is not only a show of the state’s appreciation to our diving queen for her Olympic feat but also to her family and fellow villagers for supporting her,” Dr Tiki the organising chairman, told a press conference here yesterday.

Also present were the state’s Youth and Sports acting director Razali Mohamad, Saberkas deputy secretary-general Dato Paul Teo Choo Tee and Jaom Ringid the headman of Kpg Jugan.

The event will also see presentation of sports equipment to various youths and sports associations in the Mas Gading constituency.

Dr Tiki said that Ahmad Shabery would also go to Pandelela’s house to meet with her family at 1pm. He added that the visit would hopefully allow the minister to determine if more aid should be given to the family.

“It doesn’t have to be financial in nature but simple things like the repair of the house and things like that.”

On another note, Dr Tiki hoped that Pandelela’s achievement would spur more local people to take up sports and strive to achieve the best. He said that the Mas Gading-Bau-Lundu area had many sports facilities which the local people should fully utilise.

“We have indoor badminton courts and even international standard running track at the mini stadium. There are also seven futsal courts in the constituency and another five to be built at the various villages. The Redeem centre also has four Olympic-standard squash courts.

“In addition, all the villages have a football field each. We are also promoting motor-cross sport and has introduced Muay-Thai to the local communities,” he said.