Sukom have the means and money

28/06/1998

SPORTS Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday declared that Sukom are
financially capable of organising the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games.
With about 11 weeks to the Games, Sukom have to raise another RM36
million to meet the estimated RM310 million they would need to organise
the Games.
This sum is taking into account the RM5 million they would have to
return to Carlsberg who had to end their Games sponsorship.
Sukom executive chairman Tan Sri Hashim Ali said they are now banking on
the sales of tickets to make up for Carlsberg's RM5 million.
"We are still stable right now but if we can sell about RM10 million
worth of tickets, we can balance the accounts," said Hashim.
"I am confident that once the tickets go on direct sales to the public
on July 15, we will meet part of the target."
On Friday, Ticket Express executive chairman Datuk Sri Ram Sarma said
70,000 tickets worth RM7 million had been booked but yesterday Hashim had
different figures.
"Up till Friday, Ticket Express received bookings for 64,380 tickets
worth RM5.874 million," he said.
* Muhyiddin said all 69 Commonwealth countries have confirmed their
participation but they have yet to receive a concrete reply from St Helena
and Tuvalu.
"It has been agreed that they will come, but we don't know how many
athletes they will be sending," said Hashim.
(END)