Muhyiddin: Tell us first

11/03/1999

SPORTS Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday took a dig at sports associations who do not bother to inform his office of their intention to bid for international events.
Under the Sports Development Act, associations must get the Sports
Commissioner's approval before submitting their bids.
"The Ministry have no objections if the associations are financially
strong and able to garner support from sponsors," said Muhyiddin.
"What we are afraid of is that once the bid is won, a financially weak
association might find it difficult to organise the event."
In an apparent reference to the Malaysian Hockey Federation, who are
bidding for the 2002 World Cup, Muhyiddin said the associations should
abide by the Act.
He said National Sports Council (NSC) director general Datuk Mazlan
Ahmad had been assigned to co-ordinate with the associations to ensure
that only viable bids are made.
"Mazlan will help draw a calendar of international events which are
worth bidding for so that we can can start preparations early and solve
problems that might arise if left unchecked.
"Hockey, squash, swimming, shooting and soccer have indicated interest
in certain international events. We hope they will let us know early so
that there will be no overlapping."
Muhyiddin, speaking after yesterday's post-Cabinet meeting, said he will
lead a delegation to Bangkok in April to find out the actual cost of
hosting the 2006 Asian Games. Thailand hosted the Games last December.
He said it was important for Malaysia to have some inkling of the costs
involved so as to prepare the bid accordingly.
He said though the Olympic Council of Asia have not requested for a
breakdown of the expenditure in the bid document, Malaysia have decided to do so.
"We want to show OCA that hosting the Games here would be cost-
friendly."
Muhyiddin said the Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia's request to give
them some grace period before they move out of the National Tennis Centre in Jalan Duta has been approved.
"They want to sort out a few things. If they wish to retain their
premises at the NTC, they must pay rental to the Ministry."
LTAM were directed to vacate NTC by March 1 by the Ministry. The NTC
will now come under the jurisdiction of the Ministry.
On the Sepang F1 Circuit, he said the Cabinet has directed that the
facilities be fully utilised. A matter that the Ministry is looking into.
(END)