Watch World Cup at Olympic Hotel

By Ajitpal Singh

Olympic Sports Hotel is a treasure trove for all World Cup fans.
The sports-themed hotel, located at Wisma OCM in Kuala Lumpur, is displaying authentic sporting memorabilia and some reproduction world cup items.
Among the items on display are the autographed jerseys from Argentina’s Osvaldo Ardiles, Brazil’s Ronaldo, Ger many’s Jürgen Klinsmann and also a pair of gloves signed by decorated goalkeeper Oliver Kahn.
Hotel director Ow Soon Kooi said the items have been on display for the past three weeks.
“A friend of mine brought up this idea about three months ago. We decided then on decorating the hotel with World Cup memorabilia in conjunction with the World Cup,” said Soon Kooi, a former national hockey captain.
“We have on display some of the most valuable World Cup collector’s items dating back from the 1960s.
Patrons will be greeted by posters of Diego Maradona including one on the player’s infamous “Hand of God” in the 1986 World Cup upon entering the hotel lobby.
“We managed to get these exhibits from their owners. It will be on display even after the World Cup.
“However, the most valuable item here is the framed autographed photos of Pele. The Brazilian is my favourite football player.
There are also glass showcases items such as the boots of Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer, who won the World Cup both as a player (1974) and coach (1990) and also the gloves of Oliver Kahn, which he used in the 1994 World Cup.
Football fans can also opt to watch the World Cup matches live at its cafe, which will be operating extended hours throughout the tournament.
“The hotel caters not only athletes but the general public and tourists.
“Among our recent guests were the officials from the Asian Youth Volleyball tournament as well as foreign media representatives covering the Thomas/Uber Cup Finals,” said Soon Kooi.
Olympic Sports Hotel is unique in many ways as it has conference rooms dedicated to former local sports personalities such as the late Ho Koh Chye, a former national hockey goalkeeper and local football legend Mokhtar Dahari.