KUCHING – National diver Datuk Pandelela Rinong can still compete in other championships, despite herself and fellow diver Nur Dhabitah Sabri being dropped from the Road to Gold programme (RTG).
Sarawak Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said that the Sarawakian diver remains in the nation’s Podium Programme.
“Being dropped from RTG does not mean that she (Pandelela) cannot represent the country. Under the Podium Programme, she can still compete for Malaysia.
“She can still participate in regional competitions such as the SEA Games, where she can still win.
“We have many backup athletes, but who can beat her now? This is where I feel that the concerned association needs to play its role in grooming more divers to replace Pandelela when she retires,” he told a press conference at his office in Bangunan Baitul Makmur II, here today.
However, Abdul Karim acknowledged and respected the decision made by the RTG committee to drop Pandelela and Nur Dhabitah from the programme.
“The RTG was set up by the Youth and Sports Ministry for Malaysians to achieve gold medals at the Olympics.
“When athletes fail to qualify for the Olympics, it is up to the committee to decide whether they should still be part of the programme,” he said.
On Thursday, RTG coordinator Datuk Stuart Ramalingam announced that the two divers had been dropped from the programme due to their failure to qualify for the Paris Olympics, as observed at the recent World Aquatic Championship in Doha, Qatar.
Nonetheless, he stated that both Pandelela and Nur Dhabitah would continue to be part of the Podium Programme.
“The committee will continue to monitor their progress and work closely with the divers and associations to ensure that they receive all the support needed to find their rhythm again,” Stuart added. – March 1, 2024