Sukom to CGF: Let us sell tickets overseas directly

26/05/1998

SUKOM Ninety-Eight will appeal to the Commonwealth Games Federation to
allow them to conduct direct ticket sales overseas instead of going
through agents appointed by the Commonwealth Games Association.
Sukom executive chairman Jen (rtd) Tan Sri Hashim Ali, who chaired a
Sukom Board meeting at the Mines Resort yesterday, said currently, CGF
rules do not permit Sukom to sell tickets directly.
Also present were CGF president Michael Fennel and general secretary
David Dixon.
"As a result, ticket sales overseas have not been encouraging. So far,
only nine active agents are selling tickets," said Hashim.
"If CGF allow us, the man in the street will be able to book his Games
tickets through the internet."
Hashim said some overseas agents are not only selling tickets but are
offering packages which include accommodation and transport.
"This is not proper as budget tourists might not be able to afford the
package. Some would want to stay with their friends."
To date, local bookings amount to 31,187 while bookings from overseas
are 28,920.
"We hope to sell about 1.2 million tickets before September. The local
bookings may be slow because Malaysians tend to adopt a wait-and-see
attitude. We expect good sales around August."
On the Queen's Baton, Hashim said the international leg will begin in
Wellington, New Zealand, on June 11 and criss-cross the globe with Toronto
(June 29) and Canberra (July 2) as stopovers. It will make its way to
Singapore and then to Brunei.
"From Brunei, the Baton will make its way to Kota Kinabalu, where we
have planned for an elaborate local run which will take 65 days.
"Pahang will hand the Baton to Kuala Lumpur on Sept 9 and on Sept 11, it
will arrive at the main stadium in Bukit Jalil for the opening ceremony."
The athletes who will carry the Baton into the main stadium have yet to
be named.
On doping control procedures for the Games, Hashim said the samples
taken would be sent to the laboratory in Penang and the results of the
tests would be given directly to CGF's drug committee chairman.
"The results are confidential and it's up to CGF to make whatever
decision based on the reports. Whether they are going to make (them)
public or not is up to them," he said.
(END)