Pandelela, Dhabitah not taking SEA Games lightly despite being favourites

SEPANG – National diver Datuk Pandelela Rinong will not be taking the challenge from other divers at the Hanoi SEA Games lightly although she and her new partner, Nur Dhabitah Sabri are poised to be the frontrunners for gold in the women’s synchronised 10m platform.

Despite having formed a good understanding with Dhabitah, Pandelela added that they are currently working on polishing their respective diving techniques in order to put on the best performance in Hanoi. 

“I believe we are okay as we train together, but we need to be well-prepared for the event.

“As for now, our synchronisation is aligned, but we have our own individual techniques that need some improvement,” she said when met at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2) earlier today.

Diving events at the SEA Games are scheduled from May 8 to 11 at the My Dinh Aquatic Centre.

Meanwhile, Dhabitah said that this partnership is not something new, as they had teamed up in 2014 and 2017 and won medals.

"I have synchronised with her (Pandelela) before, and we have even won several championships, so this is not the first time.

The Pandelela-Dhabitah combo had previously won the bronze medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the silver medal at the Fourth FINA World Diving Series in Windsor, Canada in 2017.

“It’s just that for the SEA Games, it will be the first time, but I’m sure that everything will be fine," she said.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian chef de mission (CDM) to the Hanoi SEA Games, Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad said the issues surrounding the diving venue in Hanoi should not stop the Malaysian divers from winning the medals.

It has been reported in the New Straits Times earlier that My Dinh Aquatic centre is not ready to welcome divers, as the venue is under renovation and divers were not able to test the boards and get the timing system in place. 

However, Malaysia Swimming secretary-general Mae Chan hopes that the organisers will have the centre ready this week.

“Perhaps the delay was due to Covid-19, but I don’t see it impacting our divers, because they matured and mentally prepared for the event. I don’t think it is a problem,” he said after closing the last assembly of the Malaysian Contingent virtually at the National Sports Council here today. – Bernama, May 5, 2022