KUCHING, May 6: The Sarawak government has its own way of rewarding national dive queen Pandelela Rinong Pamg for her achievements, said Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
According to Abdul Karim, if the state keeps on rewarding athletes every time they win a gold medal or achieved fame, it would not be good also, because as an athlete, they normally love their sports and are passionate about it.
“But the State has its own way of rewarding them. Let her enjoy her life. The monetary contribution from the State government will come, but we do not want to highlight it too much,” he said.
Abdul Karim said this to reporters when asked whether the State government will reward Pandelela for her achievement in winning the gold medal at the FINA Diving World Cup 2021 held in Tokyo recently, at a press conference after attending Sarawak Tourism Board (STB)’s Responsible Tourism Webinar.
He explained the State government wants her to keep enjoying her sports and to bring more fame to Sarawak.
“I was asked whether we are going to give her a Datukship and my reply is she is only 28-years-old, don’t spoil her. Can you imagine someone in their 20s having a Datukship? It would be very difficult for her to interact outside with the public due to her title,” he added. — DayakDaily
