KUCHING: Sarawak Aqautic Centre (SAC) has now been officially renamed Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Openg yesterday.
The centre which was the aquatic venue for the 2016 Malaysia Games (SUKMA) has been renamed in honour of the Malaysian diving queen, who won silver and bronze medals in the 2012 London Olympics and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics respectively.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for us to witness the official opening of our very own world class aquatic centre which has been renamed after our own Olympian diver.
“We are extremely proud with her achievements at both national and international level. Let her achievements become an inspiration to other young Sarawakian athletes,” said Johari.
The facility consists of an Olympic-sized pool, diving platforms, training and leisure pools. All pools were built in compliance with International Swimming Federation (FINA) standards and approved by the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (ASUM). Meanwhile, Johari also announced plans to expand three sports facilities in the state, namely a velodrome for cycling, a volleyball court and an academy for badminton.
“This is part of the initiative to make the state a power sporthouse and we will try to find the budget for this,” he said, adding that the cost involved would be announced later.
Johari also handed to Pandalela a RM500,000 incentive from the State Government for her achievement.
“This is only half of it, we have also promised to give her some land,” he said.
