[UPDATED] Pandelela, Dhabitah have been dropped from the Road to Gold programme

KUALA LUMPUR – National divers Datuk Pandelela Rinong and Nur Dhabitah Sabri have been dropped from the Road to Gold (RTG) programme after failing to secure qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. 

The decision, announced today by Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, underscores the stringent criteria set by the RTG committee.

Hannah emphasised that their removal from the RTG programme does not diminish their status as elite athletes representing the country. 

Both Pandelela and Nur Dhabitah will remain integral members of the Podium Programme.

“To qualify for the Paris Olympics was part of both their RTG contracts, and our decision to remove them is based on the formality of how we govern.

“While performance was a factor, there were also other considerations taken into account. But we mainly focused on the KPIs which they failed to meet, leaving us with no choice but to remove them from the programme,” Hannah said.

The minister also said that she had personally met with Pandelela and Dhabitah alongside RTG coordinator Datuk Stuart Ramalingam to convey the decision, emphasising that it was in line with their contractual obligations.

Additionally, discussions were held with the coaches and committee of Malaysia Swimming (MS).

She added that the National Sports Council (NSC) conducted a comprehensive review, identifying areas for improvement to bolster the nation’s diving talent pool.

Hannah was met during a press conference held at the NSC in Bukit Jalil, here today.

Also present was NSC deputy director-general (sports development) Jefri Ngadirin, who said that the council is planning to come up with four training centres at the state level.

“We will announce the plans for the reforms tomorrow, and this will change the landscape of the sport in our country.

“Our main emphasis will be based on the national and state level, and we will be coming up with four training centres in each state to scout for more talents,” said Jefri.

Jefri also elaborated on forthcoming initiatives, revealing the expansion of national coaching staff from six to eight members. 

Additionally, the recent appointments of a new director and high-performance director signal a proactive approach to enhancing the sport’s infrastructure.

With Pandelela and Dhabitah’s Olympic aspirations unmet, attention now turns to promising talents Bertrand Rhodict and Enrique Maccartney Harold, both of whom have been elevated to the RTG programme under the Fast Track initiative.

The Fast Track programme, designed for young athletes aged 16 to 25, aims to cultivate potential stars for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. – February 29, 2024