Spectacular it will be

09/09/1998

THE Commonwealth Games is here.
On Saturday Malaysia will deliver the Games to the waiting world. It is
not cheap. It is the most expensive Games ever. Close to RM2 billion have
been spent to make it the best and now we wait for the show to begin.
Former colonies gather to compete in a friendly atmosphere and reminisce
the days of the British Raj.
It is the biggest event after the Olympics. Seventy countries, 6,000
competitors and a host of officials will be here.
"It is a halfway house between the Asian Games and the Olympics," says
Datuk Dr M. Jegathesan, who competed in the 1966 Kingston Games.
"The element of competition is second. Friendship comes first," adds
Olympic Council of Malaysia general secretary Sieh Kok Chi.
True, some quarters perceive it as a poor man's Games. Except for the
big four - Canada, England, New Zealand and Australia, the bulk of the
Commonwealth are third world countries.
Except for England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, the rest of Europe are
missing. There is Canada but none from the Gulf States.
No China, Japan or South Korea.
Asia have India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and some Asean
countries.
New Zealand and Australia are dominant forces. Africa are well
represented and so are the numerous Pacific islands and the Carribean.
Whatever one may say, at least in some sports there are qualitatively
world class performers.
Athletics, swimming, cycling, hockey, cricket, squash, netball. All of
them will see the best in the business in action.
So hold your breath as Kuala Lumpur host the biggest ever sporting event
after the Olympics.
Take rugby, cricket, swimming, athletics, cycling and tenpin bowling -
for the first time some great stuff is in store.
The Games will also go down in the history as the first Games since its
inception in 1950 which offers team sport. It has never been the tradition
of the Games to go big. It has remained spartan, no more than 10 sports
and only individual sports to be contested.
But those who founded the Games must have envisaged the day will come
when the Games will grow and spread its wings. In Malaysia, cricket,
rugby, netball, squash, hockey and tenpin bowling will make their
respective debuts.
Sports where some of the world's best originate from the Commonwealth.
"That was precisely why we fought for their inclusion," explains Olympic
Council of Malaysia (OCM) vice-president Tunku Imran Tuanku Jaafar. "The
other reason was purely commercial. In cricket and rugby we can sell air
time."
In a crowded sports calendar, the Games had to remain relevant. The
inclusion of team sports has given the Games a higher profile.
Kuala Lumpur will also be remembered for extending their hand to those
lacking financial means to compete here. 2,000 free airline tickets were
distributed to ensure participation from all 70 countries.
The Commonwealth Games are unique. Unlike other Games such as the Asian
Games, SEA Games, Pan-American Games, which exist on geographical premise,
Commonwealth brings together countries scattered over the four corners of
the world to celebrate sporting excellence.
They have a common past - all ruled by the British. English as the
common linga franca.
The Commonwealth Games are the only Games to have a mission statement
(see box). To this day the Games try to adhere to it.
And for the first time the Games will break with tradition when it is
declared open by the Malaysian King and not Queen Elizabeth as on previous
occasions.
The Games come to Malaysia at an interesting time in our history. Not
long after Malaysia hosted CHOGM in 1989, with memories of the country
still fresh in their minds, 40 Commonwealth countries gave Malaysia the
nod over Adelaide in 1992. Only 23 voted for Adelaide.
This will be the last Games of the millennium and it is appropriate that
Malaysia show to the world that they can be gracious and capable hosts.
(END)