---
title: "“Datukship isn’t my goal” Pandelela says making the nation proud is what motivates her"
url: https://weirdkaya.com/datukship-isnt-my-goal-pandelela-says-making-the-nation-proud-is-what-motivates-her/
date: 2021-05-13
modified: 2021-06-16
lang: en
author: "Yu Ang Tan"
description: "KUCHING - Malaysia’s diving queen Pandelela Rinong insisted that being conferred a Datukship wasn't her motivation in excelling in sports but bringing glory to Sarawak and Malaysia. \"Everyone wants to..."
categories:
  - "Society"
tags:
  - "Athlete"
  - "Pandelela"
image: https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/20210513_71_01.jpg
word_count: 259
---

# “Datukship isn’t my goal” Pandelela says making the nation proud is what motivates her

**KUCHING - **Malaysia’s diving queen Pandelela Rinong insisted that being conferred a Datukship wasn't her motivation in excelling in sports but bringing glory to Sarawak and Malaysia.

> **"Everyone wants to excel in their field and I am no different, although in my opinion obtaining titles is not my objective as an athlete."**

!["Datukship isn](https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/20210513_71_02.jpeg)(Photo from Fina.org)

**"I however accept any rewards or incentives given by the government with gratitude," she told the **[**Borneo Post**](https://www.theborneopost.com/2021/05/10/pandelela-datukship-not-important-in-quest-to-excel-in-sport-bring-glory-to-country/)**.**

Pandelela also said that sponsorships are more helpful for athletes, especially when they retire.

> **“Sponsorships obviously will help athletes like me as it offers us additional income because it is part of our work as well."**

!["Datukship isn](https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/20210513_71_03.jpeg)(Photo from Pandelela.my)

Pandelela became the first Malaysian to win a gold medal at the recent International Swimming Federation/ Fédération Internationale de natation (FINA) Diving World Cup 2021 and test event for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

!["Datukship isn](https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/20210513_71_04.jpeg)(Photo from Malay Mail)

Sarawak Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah recently [remarked](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=514857403008494) that handing out too many rewards will "spoil" national athletes, drawing much criticism.

### He reiterated that awarding Pandelela with a Datukship would make life hard for her.

> **“Can you imagine someone in their 20s having a Datukship? It will be very difficult for her to interact normally outside when you have friends outside, they call you Datuk and things like that.**

He further assured that the state would reward Pandelela in due time and told the public to give her room to fully enjoy the sport she loves.

---

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**Sources**: [The Borneo Post](https://www.theborneopost.com/2021/05/10/pandelela-datukship-not-important-in-quest-to-excel-in-sport-bring-glory-to-country/)

**Editor**: Raymond Chen
**Proofreader**: [Sarah Yeoh](https://weirdkaya.com/author/sarah-yeoh/)