Fennell enjoys a smooth ride on the LRT

31/05/1998

COMMONWEALTH Games Federation (CGF) chairman yesterday took the Light Rail
Transit (LRT) from the Bukit Jalil station to downtown Kuala Lumpur and
gave it the thumbs up.
This is the new STAR line connecting Bukit Jalil - the home of the main
stadium and the Games Village - to Kuala Lumpur.
It is scheduled to begin operation from July 1.
Fennell, who will be back to witness the pre-Games in July, was
impressed with the ride.
"I have read and seen pictures of the system but to take a ride and see
for myself was a different experience. I am sure the Commonwealth Games
delegates and athletes who visit the city will be surprised to find a
hassle free way to travel," he said.
"This system is clean, efficient and tidy. I was told that athletes and
delegates will receive free tickets for return trips. This will surely
promote Malaysia."
* TWENTY athletes were to have joined Fennell at 9.30am for the LRT ride
to the Sultan Ismail Station in the city but they didn't turn up.
Fennell waited for half an hour before he went on the ride with the
Pressmen.
"I don't know what happened. I am sure there is a logical explanation,"
said Fennell.
When Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) secretary Sieh Kok Chi was
contacted, he said the National Sports Council were to have arranged for
the athletes to take the ride.
"We were approached by CGF's Affendi Razali to get the athletes and we
informed NSC liaison officer Ahmad Shapawi," said Sieh.
"I don't know what happened."
NSC are looking after the Games athletes.
"The message to the athletes must have got tangled along the line," said
Sieh.
Shapawi's explanation was that none of the athletes were available.
Meanwhile, Fennell suggested that Sukom Ninety Eight provide incentives
for early bookings:
"The public would only be willing to spend their money now if there is a
discount or certain prizes to be won by early bookings," he said.
"If not, they would wait and buy them during the Games because the
venues are large and there is no likelihood of a sellout."
(END)