KUCHING: Olympic silver medalist Pandelela Rinong deserved due recognition for her achievements at the Youth Olympic Games 2010 in Singapore.
Only one medal was expected from Pandelela but that Sarawak’s diving sensation delivered two silver medals for Malaysia in her campaign in Singapore
The Bidayuh lass who took the silver in the girls’ 10m platform on Saturday won a bonus medal of the same colour in 3m springboard event on Monday evening.
She finished second behind China ’s Liu Jiao in both events, competed at the Tao Payuh summing complex in Singapore
Incentives are awaiting Pandelela and Sarawak ’s Social Development and Urbanisation Minister Dato Sri William Mawan said the State will not make Pandelela’s achievements unnoticed.
Mawan said since she is now the pride of Malaysia
Pandela became the first Malaysia
On Monday she added another silver medal to her collection at the meet when she finished second in the 3 metre springboard collecting a total of 444.15 points after making four jumps.
Earlier on Sunday she collected her first silver medal in the 10m platform event with a total of 453.35 points, just 25.25 points behind China
Pandelela’s achievements has brought cheers to Malaysians especially Sarawakians.
“Bidayuh are very proud of Pandelela. We in DBNA and all Bidayuh community praise her with pride for carrying the Bidayuh spirit to represent the country.
“We honour her contribution as the Malaysian woman to win silver medal at Olympic Games, said a DBNA exco member Joseph Jindy.
Katanya, the Bidayuh athletic from kampung Jugan, Bau should be given due recognition by the government for their excellent achievements in sports and to spur her do perform better in future competition including the Commonwealth Game in New Dehli in October .
After the Youth Olympic Games Pandelela will fly to Kunming China for intensive training as her preparation to compete in New Delhi
DBNA’s president Ik Pahon Joyik said Pandelela’s achievements has made the Bidayuh and Malaysians very proud.
“We in DBNA and the Bidayuh community are very proud of her achievements which should inspire our youths to excel in all fields,” said Pahon.
Pahon said DBNA will make her “Ambassador For Youth” to inspire the others to emulate her success.
She will be invited to talk at the Youth Workshop organised by DBNA next month.
“She will share with the participants (youths) how she struggle in life to achieve what she is today.
On the incentives for Pandelela, the Parmanent Secretary to the Ministry of Social and Urbanisation said DBNA will think of long term incentives for her to succeed in her career.
He said before this DBNA has given two incentives to Pandelela.
