A free lift from The Mines

16/06/1998

SUKOM '98 Bhd yesterday appointed Malaysia International Exhibition and
Showroom Centre (Mines) as the official weightlifting venue for the
Commonwealth Games.
And the deal is for free, even for the pre-Games in July.
Sukom will only pay for the utilities and props for the competition, and
save about RM1.3 million on rental.
"The Mines management decided to help the Commonwealth Games cause under
the Malaysia Inc concept. The weightlifters can use the facilities
available at the hall for free," said Mines executive director Chan Luck
Seh.
At the preliminary discussions, Mines had quoted RM43,000 per day as
venue rental for the Games.
"This was during the discussion stage, there was nothing in black-and-
white, but this agreement is the final result of negotiations," said Chan.
The 1,500-seating capacity hall has already received booking for 500
tickets, and a sellout is in store.
"Sukom are grateful to Mines for allowing us to use the facilities free
of charge. This is an excellent example of the private sector's
contribution towards the Commonwealth Games," said Sukom director of
operations Nashatar Singh after signing the agreement yesterday.
This is the second free venue for the Games. Earlier, the management of
Sunway Pyramid Bowl, venue for tenpin bowling, also adopted the same
approach.
Weightlifting, to be held on Sept 16-19, is a strong gold medal sport
for Malaysia.
Malaysian Weightlifting Federation president Datuk Wira Gan Boon Leong
said: "Malaysia are expected to win two gold and four other medals, with
Mohamed Hidayat in the 69kg category our best bet."
Hidayat is the Commonwealth record holder in the 69kg category. He
lifted 287.5kg at the Commonwealth, Oceania and South Pacific
championships in Nauru in March.
In the Jakarta Sea Games, Hidayat won gold in the 64kg but the category
will not be contested in the Commonwealth Games. Matin Guntali, another
hopeful, took the silver in the Victoria Games.
Twenty-seven countries have confirmed participation in weightlifing and
the total number of athletes is 120. In Victoria in 1994, only 19
countries and 91 weightlifters took part.
The Malaysian squad: Mohamed Hidayat (69kg), Rahman Ahmad (56kg), Matin
Guntali (56kg), Edmond Yeo (85kg), Kamaruzaman Jusan (62kg).
(END)