KUCHING: A national newspaper was slammed by Datuk Abdullah Saidol for its inappropriate headlines concerning the performance of Datuk Pandelela Rinong Pamg at the recent Commonwealth Games 2022.
In saying this, the Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs and UKAS) stressed that Pandelela has won in many diving competitions and brought the country’s name in the eyes of the world.
“Of 30 million Malaysians, 104 athletes comprising 67 men and 37 women carry the responsibilities representing the country in 16 sports events.
“As for Pandelela, she has made Malaysia proud so many times which saw the flying of the Malaysian flag and the playing of Malaysia’s national anthem during the prize giving ceremonies,” he said in his Facebook post, recently.
He also said that sports is not all the time about winning but it is about sportsmanship, comradeship, determination. training extremely hard, discipline, injuries and above all, it is about humanity.
“If we compete, of course everyone wants to win. But when we lose after our best efforts, we must accept the fact that there are others who perform better and it’s not our day.
“You must continue to enhance your sports performance, don’t give up and do try again,” he added.
He said that the news organisation should not put up such headlines which could cause disappointment to the athlete.
“Don’t only support and congratulate when the athlete won but when they lose, you criticise,” he said.
