Pandelela: Reward To Fund Studies And Career

PETALING JAYA: Pandelela Rinong Pamg, who learnt of The Star Media Group's RM100,000 reward after waking up from a snooze in London, said she would use the money to finance her education and advance her career.

“Wow, thank you very much. I'm so grateful,” the Olympic bronze medallist said when contacted over the phone yesterday.

The 19-year-old diver created sporting history by being Malaysia's first woman to win a medal at the Olympics. She came in third in the 10m platform event on Friday.

The group also announced a similar RM100,000 reward to Datuk Lee Chong Wei who won an Olympic silver medal in the badminton singles event.

The Youth and Sports Ministry praised The Star Media Group for offering the rewards to both Lee and Pandelela.

Deputy Minister Gan Ping Sieu said it was good to see corporate bodies contributing towards the country's sports development, and called for more help from the private sector.

“Incentives and rewards will spur them on and also encourage others to do better,” said Gan.

Pandelela will also receive RM150,000 under the Youth and Sports Ministry's incentive scheme and a monthly life pension of RM2,000.