I must say that the criticism is not fair at all to Pandelela because she has already sacrificed a lot for the country. She has delivered in the past, and I am sure she will still deliver in the future.
— Mae Chen, Malaysia Swimming Federation secretary, after Pandelela failed to win a medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022
I am compelled to write in defence of our diving star Datuk Pandelela Rinong after Malaysian Swimming Federation secretary-general Andy Low recently criticised certain athletes for not willing to step aside despite failing to meet the KPIs, claiming that these individuals were “unprofessional” and were full of excuses when they failed to meet their targets.
In an apparent reference to the Sarawak diver, he was quoted by Harian Metro as saying: “Manusia bila gagal bagi alasan, tolak kiri kanan, ini orang semua tidak profesional tetapi mahu ambil gaji (Human beings, when they fail, give excuses, deflect blame; these people are all unprofessional but still want to take salaries).”
Low must have appeared irked by Pandelela’s claims that interference from an ‘entity’ had affected the performance of the national diving squad during the World Aquatic Championships in Doha, recently. The below par performance of the diving squad saw divers failing to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“There are unsettling occurrences (…) the full story will be explained later. What I can say is that unexpected things happened, and luck was not on our side. Almost all of us (divers) were affected by this. It not only disturbed senior divers but also junior divers. It’s better if I discuss this matter internally,” said Pandelela.
Said Low: “…itu anda perlu pergi tanya dia — berkenaan entiti. Setahu saya sebelum kejohanan kita dengannya setiap kali berjumpa, bermesyuarat dan bincang, ada masalah atau tidak. Tidak ada yang hendak cakap (You need to ask her — about the entity. As far as I know, before the championship, we met with her every time, had meetings and discussions, asked if there were any problems or not. No one wanted to speak).”
Her vague remarks sparked speculation on whether she was referring to a human or something else.
Nevertheless, Pandelela took to her Facebook to clear the air on Saturday on the ‘entity’ issue, stating that her words were misinterpreted by the media, leading to speculation and misunderstanding.
“These issues are related to training. However, they have been translated into terms like ‘entity’ and ‘third party’, which is very misleading to the public.
“I do not have any other platform to clarify this to the public and, therefore, have decided to make this statement to clear the air once and for all. I hope this matter will finally be put to rest,” she said.
The controversy surrounding Pandelela has sparked heated debates and raised questions about the treatment of athletes and the state of sports administration in the country. Low’s disparaging remarks about the Sarawak star’s commitment and contributions have ignited a firestorm of criticism, drawing attention to the need for reform in Malaysian sports.
Pandelela stands as a shining example of sporting excellence; her achievements, including being the first Malaysian female athlete to win an Olympic medal and her consistent success on the international stage, have brought immense pride and glory to the nation.
Winning bronze in the 10m platform at the 2012 Olympics and silver in the 10m synchronised platform at the 2016 Games, Pandelela has etched her name in the annals of Malaysian sports history.
However, despite her stellar track record, she has found herself embroiled in controversy following her failure to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Low’s harsh criticism, accusing her of merely makan gaji or being content with her salary, reflects a deeper issue within Malaysian sports administration – a lack of appreciation for the sacrifices and dedication of athletes like Pandelela.
It is disheartening to witness a sports official belittle the achievements of an athlete who has dedicated her life to representing her country at the highest level. Pandelela’s journey to the top has been paved with relentless training, unwavering determination and countless sacrifices.
To reduce her passion and commitment to a mere pursuit of financial gain is not only disrespectful but also undermines the hard work of athletes.
Sarawak Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Hamzah’s swift condemnation of Low’s remarks highlights the widespread dismay and disappointment felt by Malaysians, notably Sarawakians.
He rightly questioned the sincerity and effectiveness of Malaysia’s sports administration in nurturing and supporting athletes like Pandelela. The lack of a robust development programmes and the failure to groom successors in diving highlight systemic flaws that must be seriously looked into and addressed urgently.
Abdul Karim said Pandelela had made tremendous contributions to diving at international competitions.
“Talking about individuals who have contributed to the country and making sarcastic remarks such as saying they (athletes) only linger on for their salary is distasteful … I feel she can make more based on her experience and if she becomes a coach.
“I also don’t really know this Andy Low. Who is he? What has he done and contributed towards developing one of the most crucial sports in Malaysia?”
“What has he been doing … ? How many years has he been the secretary? For now, he’s criticising athletes who contributed to the country.”
Pandelela’s recent performance at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha, while falling short of expectations, should not tarnish her reputation. Athletes face numerous challenges and setbacks throughout their careers, and Pandelela’s resilience in the face of adversity is a testament to her determination.
The burden should not rest solely on Pandelela’s shoulders to carry Malaysian diving forward. The responsibility lies with sports officials and administrators to provide adequate support, resources, and opportunities for athletes to thrive and succeed.
Investing in grassroots development, talent identification, and coaching programmes are essential steps towards building a sustainable and competitive sports ecosystem.
As Pandelela herself has stressed, the future of Malaysian diving depends on the development of young talent and the establishment of a robust infrastructure that fosters growth and excellence. It is time for sports officials to heed her call and take concrete action to elevate Malaysian sports to new heights.
In the meantime, the controversy surrounding Pandelela serves as a wake-up call for Malaysian sports authorities to re-evaluate their priorities and commitments.
Athletes like Pandelela deserve respect, admiration and unwavering support for their contributions to the nation — it is time to stand in solidarity with our athletes, celebrate their achievements and pave the way for a brighter future in Malaysian sports.
The nation owes it to Pandelela and future generations of athletes to build a sports culture rooted in integrity, inclusivity and excellence. Let us rally behind our athletes, champion their cause and strive for a future where every aspiring athlete has the opportunity to fulfil his or her potential and represent Malaysia on the world stage.
Now is the time for change. Sports officials should re-evaluate their positions and stop being content with just earning a salary, or in Bahasa Malaysia, berpuas hati dengan hanya makan gaji. Those who can’t bring Malaysian sports to new heights after warming their seats for several terms should step down voluntarily and allow new people to enter the scene.
Don’t overstay your welcome. Period!
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
