Muhyiddin slams BBC over false report

28/04/1998

YOUTH and Sports Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday took the
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) to task for airing a programme
which, among other things, reported the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games on
Sept 11-21 may be shifted to Australia.
The programme cited haze, water shortage, prolonged drought and the
uncompleted Bukit Jalil Sports Complex during a radio broadcast on April
25, 7am local time, as reason enough to move the Games to Australia.
"This is a very foolish statement and coming from a reputable
organisation like the BBC, it sounds very stupid," said Muhyiddin after
chairing the pre-Games meeting in Kuala Lumpur.
Waving a cassette which contained a recording of the broadcast, he said
the Ministry would like to make their stand clear: "Come rain or shine,
the Games will be held in Kuala Lumpur."
"BBC were very irresponsible in airing a programme that has no truth in
it. Sukom Ninety-Eight Bhd (the organisers) and the Malaysian Government
have been working fulltime since we won the bid. Whatever happens, the
show will go on in Malaysia.
"BBC should not have started this baseless rumour."
Muhyiddin said he was interviewed by the BBC on April 17 and made it
clear all the venues will be ready for the Games and that the haze
situation is being tackled by all the Asian countries. Yet, BBC chose to
ignore the Minister's assurance.
"There is an understanding among the Asian countries affected by the
haze to overcome the problem. How sure are BBC that there will be haze in
September?
"BBC should stop playing god.
"It is not logical to say the Games will be shifted to Australia after
the praise showered upon us by the foreign Press and delegations from the
Commonwealth countries that came to inspect the sites and check on our
progress," he said.
"Most were awestruck by the size of the venues and the state-of-the-art
facilities that Malaysia will be providing for the Games.
"I can only say the BBC programme was very `mischevious' in nature and a
stab in the back. The rakyat know what the truth is," said Muhyiddin.
Yesterday was the second time Muhyiddin had to quash rumours about the
Games. On April 1, after a post-Cabinet meeting, Muhyiddin said rumours
the Games will be moved to Australia were baseless.
(END)

Pre-Games budget slashed to the minimum

28/04/1998

THE pre-Games budget has been slashed from RM4.5 million to RM2.29 million
and according to Youth and Sports Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, that
is as low as they can go.
Of the main budget, Sukom will contribute RM134,000 to ease the burden
of the five associations involved in the pre-Games on July 11-19, who will
each receive RM134,830 for organising their respective sports.
Muhyiddin said the 2,000-odd athletes and officials will be housed at
Block C of the Games Village in Bukit Jalil and will be provided with
nutritional food. The athletes will check in on July 9.
Muhyiddin, after chairing a pre-Games meeting in Kuala Lumpur, said the
tests on athletes, officials, facilities and results systems will offer
valuable feedback to make the Commonwealth Games on Sept 11-21 a success.
"Athletics, aquatics, squash, gymnastics and hockey will be held at
Bukit Jalil during the pre-Games which will also see the Prime Minister
officially open the main stadium," said Muhyiddin.
Hockey and aquatics will be State meets while squash and athletics will
have competitors from Asia competing.
A four-team tournament made up of Kuala Lumpur, Pahang, Perak and the
Project 2001 team will take part in hockey while in squash, it is likely
to an Asian meet.
The pre-Games will also be a test for the doping centre in Penang. "We
will conduct about 10 random tests for a start to test the facilities at
the Universiti Sains Malaysia. We hope to receive endorsement from the
International Olympic Council (IOC) on the doping centre soon."
Asked to comment on the 50 per cent slash in sponsorship for the BA of
Malaysia, Muhyiddin said BAM should learn to live within their means.
"The sponsors (Proton and Edaran Otomobil Malaysia) are not to be blamed
because they have been hit by the economic slowdown. I hope BAM will plan
their programmes properly and only spend on priority tournaments and
training."
(END)

Queen E's aide impressed with facilities

14/05/1998

SHE came on a mission to map out Queen Elizabeth's programme for the
Commonwealth Games and went home impressed.
"I must say that I am impressed with the facilities and everything
points to a great Games. Although I cannot compare Kuala Lumpur with the
other host cities because this is my first Games visit, I am impressed
with what I saw," said Mary Francis, the assistant private secretary to
the Queen.
"Today (yesterday) was just a brief visit (to the Bukit Jalil Sports
Complex) to have a first-hand look at the venues which the Queen will be
visiting during the Games. I'll return at the end of June to finalise the
details and the venues to be visited by the Queen."
The Queen will officiate at the closing ceremony of the KL Games and
will remain for another two days to visit Kuala Lumpur and other parts of
Malaysia.
The British entourage included Geoffrey Crawford, Press secretary to the
Queen, and British High Commission second secretary Robin Ord-Smith.
On Britain's preparations for the Games, she said: "All the athletes are
undergoing serious training right now.
"The sport-loving public are making final preparations to visit Malaysia
during the Games and I believe when they come here, they will be equally
impressed."
(END)

More exposure for the Games

16/05/1998

SUKOM Ninety Eight Berhad and Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd yesterday
launched an advertising campaign to give more visibility to the
Commonwealth Games.
The Games logo will now be prominently displayed on 40 buses and 200
taxis with the message "Come up to the Games" in the Klang Valley, Penang,
Ipoh, Johor Baru and Malacca.
"This contribution is Carlsberg's commitment to lend support and promote
Malaysia as an international venue of sporting activities," said Carlsberg
managing director Datuk Jorgen Bornhoft.
Carlsberg were one of the first companies to sign with Sukom, pledging
RM5 million for the Games.
"Our budget for this form of transit advertising is RM900,000 and we
have a bigger budget for other promotional activities. As the first Asian
capital to host the last Games of the 20th century, we are happy to be
able to help promote the second largest sporting event in the world," said
Bornhoft.
(END)

Hashim: Observer flogging report baseless

26/05/1998

SUKOM Ninety Eight yesterday described `as rubbish' an Observer report
that athletes would be flogged if they are tested positive for
recreational drugs such as cannabis and cocaine during the Commonwealth
Games.
Sukom executive chairman Jen (rtd) Tan Sri Hashim Ali said in Kuala
Lumpur the London-based newspaper was ill-informed and there is no truth
in its report.
"There is no law which says that addicts will be whipped. I don't know
what their (Observer's) agenda is. Does he (the writer) want to frighten
the athletes not to come here?" asked Hashim.
The paper quoted Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) secretary David
Dixon and Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board director Ahmad Zuhuri in its
report.
"In sports, if you are tested positive for banned drugs, the
International Olympic Committee (IOC) or individual international sports
federation rules prevail. The athlete is stripped of his medal and
suspended," said Hashim.
Expressing shock at the report which appeared in the Observer's May 24
edition and written by Sports Editor Alan Hubbard, Hashim said the writer
has got his facts wrong.
"The Malaysian law is clear. Only those caught or pushing hard drugs
face the mandatory death penalty.
"As far as sport is concerned, the usual punishment is meted out if an
athlete fails a test."
Hashim said in Malaysia, even addicts are not flogged or hanged.
Instead, they are sent to rehabilitation camps.
(END)

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)

Fennell enjoys a smooth ride on the LRT

31/05/1998

COMMONWEALTH Games Federation (CGF) chairman yesterday took the Light Rail
Transit (LRT) from the Bukit Jalil station to downtown Kuala Lumpur and
gave it the thumbs up.
This is the new STAR line connecting Bukit Jalil - the home of the main
stadium and the Games Village - to Kuala Lumpur.
It is scheduled to begin operation from July 1.
Fennell, who will be back to witness the pre-Games in July, was
impressed with the ride.
"I have read and seen pictures of the system but to take a ride and see
for myself was a different experience. I am sure the Commonwealth Games
delegates and athletes who visit the city will be surprised to find a
hassle free way to travel," he said.
"This system is clean, efficient and tidy. I was told that athletes and
delegates will receive free tickets for return trips. This will surely
promote Malaysia."
* TWENTY athletes were to have joined Fennell at 9.30am for the LRT ride
to the Sultan Ismail Station in the city but they didn't turn up.
Fennell waited for half an hour before he went on the ride with the
Pressmen.
"I don't know what happened. I am sure there is a logical explanation,"
said Fennell.
When Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) secretary Sieh Kok Chi was
contacted, he said the National Sports Council were to have arranged for
the athletes to take the ride.
"We were approached by CGF's Affendi Razali to get the athletes and we
informed NSC liaison officer Ahmad Shapawi," said Sieh.
"I don't know what happened."
NSC are looking after the Games athletes.
"The message to the athletes must have got tangled along the line," said
Sieh.
Shapawi's explanation was that none of the athletes were available.
Meanwhile, Fennell suggested that Sukom Ninety Eight provide incentives
for early bookings:
"The public would only be willing to spend their money now if there is a
discount or certain prizes to be won by early bookings," he said.
"If not, they would wait and buy them during the Games because the
venues are large and there is no likelihood of a sellout."
(END)

Muhyiddin gives MPC the thumbs up

27/06/1998

SPORTS Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday visited the Main Press
Centre (MPC) for the Commonwealth Games at the Mint Hotel and gave it the
thumbs up.
Only four computers and rows of tables were on show yesterday but
nevertheless Muhyiddin said the MPC will be ready for the Games.
"The work on the MPC and all other broadcasting facilities around the
venues will be done phase by phase and right," said Muhyiddin.
"When the Games begin, the media can expect real-time results.
Everything will be in place by the end of August."
The MPC will accommodate 2,000 foreign and local journalists starting
from Sept 1 by which time, according to Muhyiddin, the water rationing
around the Klang Valley will not be a problem.
"We have held discussions with the Selangor Waterworks Department and
they have agreed to provide additional supply for the Games. Water will
not be a problem," he said.
During the visit yesterday, the taps at the Mint Hotel were dry due to
rationing.
The organising committee will also make the necessary transport
arrangements for journalists.
Shuttle buses from the MPC will ferry journalists to the venues at
regular intervals. The journalists will also be provided with passes to
ride the Light Rail Transit (LRT) for free.
"We have struck a deal with Star-LRT to provide free shuttle services
for the media during the Games," said Muhyiddin.
"Mint Hotel will also employ 100 additional staff to provide the best
service available."
(END)

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)

Insightful Games book launched

30/06/1998

A COLOURFUL 240-page hardcover book entitled The Road to Kuala Lumpur '98
was unveiled yesterday at the Sukom Ninety Eight Berhad headquarters at
Seri Kembangan to boost publicity for the 16th Commonwealth Games.
Among others, the book provides an insight into the history of the
Commonwealth Games, how the 1998 bid was won, Games records, venues and
Malaysia's prospects.
Sukom executive chairman Jen (R) Tan Sri Hashim Ali, who launched the
book with publisher Didier Millet, said schools, libraries and the public
should get a copy of the informative book which costs RM95.
"This book is a treasure and will go a long way to promote the KL Games.
It is for the rakyat and visitors before and after the Games," said
Hashim.
Millet said they have printed 10,000 copies of the book and 6,000 would
be available for sale. The remaining 2,000 would be handed to Sukom and
another 2,000 to the Games' sponsors.
"We plan to sell the book in Australia, Canada, England and Singapore.
Our target is to sell about 20,000 but right now, we are testing the
market with 10,000. If there is a strong demand, more will be printed."
Among the authors of the book is Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM)
secretary Sieh Kok Chi. Sieh, who with OCM president Tan Sri Hamzah Abu
Samah initiated the bid in 1989 and was executive director of the
committee, contributed an article on the decision to bid for the Games and
the bid process.
The author of the history section of the Commonwealth Games, from its
origin to 2002 in Manchester, is Cleve Dheensaw, whose previous book was
The First 60 Years, 1930-1990.
The book is in English and there are plans to work with Dewan Bahasa dan
Pustaka to publish a Bahasa Malaysia version.
(END)

Budget for opening and closing reduced to RM20m

03/07/1998

THE opening and closing ceremonies of the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games,
earlier estimated to cost RM40 million but reduced to RM25 million, have
now been further reduced to RM20.5 million.
Sports Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who chaired the Commonwealth
Games Executive Committee at the Sports Ministry yesterday, said the
reduction is because of a cut in the training sessions.
"We are not compromising on the quality of the ceremonies but have cut
down on the rehearsals which are quite costly."
"Invitation cards for 4,000 guests for the opening and closing
ceremonies will be distributed later this month. The list will include the
Rulers and all the Yang Dipertua Negeri," said Muhyiddin.
On ticket sales, which are still slow despite the nationwide promotions,
Muhyiddin said Sukom Ninety Eight will now work with the Tourism
Development Cooperation to sell tickets in Singapore.
"Their dollar is still strong so we have decided to tap into the
Singapore market. We will sell tickets, not packages, to promote the Games
with the help of the Singapore Sports Council."
Meanwhile, the Doping Control Centre at Universiti Sains Malaysia in
Penang has received the green light from the International Olympic
Committee and will undergo a trial run during the Pre-Games on July 11-19.
"The Centre has undergone successful IOC tests and we are expected to
get an accreditation letter in the next few days. Random tests will be
conducted on urine samples sent there.
* Muhyiddin said all associations must submit reports on their pre-Games
competition within one week after the events end to enable Games
organisers Sukom to identify weaknesses and take steps to overcome them.
The committee was also briefed on the public transport system which
would be tested from early September to familiarise the public with the
various modes of transport like LRT, buses, taxies and commuter to go to
the National Sports Complex in Bukit Jalil.
* The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) have submitted the names of 30
athletes for the Queen's baton run from Dataran Merdeka to the Main
Stadium. The final runner would be named later.
* All the 100,000 free tickets to attend the pre-Games have been snapped
up.
* As early preparations, all secretariats under the Executive Committee
would move to the International Zone of the Games Village in Bukit Jalil
to facilitate preparation and co-ordination.
(END)

Brunei stop for Queen's Baton

05/07/1998

THE Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games Queen's Baton relay will end its
international leg in Brunei today, after which will begin the elaborate
local run starting from Sabah and ending at the Bukit Jalil Main Stadium
on Sept 11.
Yesterday, the Singapore leg of the run started at the National Stadium
and ended at the compound of the Brunei High Commission.
Singapore National Olympic Council president Teo Chee Hean started the
run by handing the baton to Tan Howe Liang, a double gold medallist at the
1958 Games.
The international leg, which started when Datuk Punch Gunalan received
the baton from the Queen at the Buckingham Palace in London in March, made
its way to the Caribbean, Africa, Asia and Australia before making its way
to Brunei.
"We have received 30 names from the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM)
for the final leg of the run from Dataran Merdeka to the Main Stadium in
Bukit Jalil," said Sports Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
"The names consist of past and present Commonwealth Games medal winners.
We have yet to sort out the final order of athletes."
Commonwealth Games Federation chairman Michael Fennell, Sukom Ninety
Eight executive chairman Tan Sri Hashim Ali and Muhyiddin will be at hand
to receive the Baton from Brunei in Sabah on Tuesday.
The design for the Baton has been conceptualised from a traditional
Malay artifact, the gobek - a unique cylindrical areca nut-pounder widely
used in the Malay household. The motif for the Baton also incorporates the
Bunga Raya (hibiscus).
The tradition of the Baton started at the 1958 Cardiff Games and carries
the Queen's message which will be read by the president of the
Commonwealth Games Federation Prince Edward during the opening ceremony of
the Kuala Lumpur Games.
Local Run - July 7-16 Sabah; July 17-Aug 7 Sarawak; Aug 8-10 Johor; Aug
11-12 Malacca; Aug 13 Negri Sembilan; Aug 14-17 Selangor; Aug 18-20 Perak;
Aug 21-22 Penang; Aug 23-24 Langkawi; Aug 25-27 Kedah; Aug 28-29 Perak;
Aug 30-Sept1 Kelantan; Sept 2-5 Terengganu; Sept 6-9 Pahang; Sept 10-11
Kuala Lumpur.
(END)

No hurry to name squad

07/07/1998

THE Malaysian AAU are taking their time in deciding on the squad for the
Asian Track and Field championships in Fukuoka, Japan, on July 19-22.
MAAU have had enough time to select the athletes at the Negri Sembilan
Open, Perak Open and the Johor Open.
But they would rather wait until the pre-Games meet at Bukit Jalil on
July 12-15 before finalising the squad, who will depart for Fukuoka the
following day (July 16).
MAAU president Datuk Khalid Yunus said they are in no hurry. "We will
finalise the squad after the pre-Games. At the moment, we have 19 athletes
who have qualified."
MAAU and the National Sports Council, who have the final say, had agreed
to send 11 men and three women.
The 11 men are sprinters Watson, Hamberi Mahat, R. Ganeshwaran, middle
distance runners R. Nandakumar and S. Vasu, long distance expert M.
Ramachandran, high jumper Loo Kum Zee, walkers Narinder Singh and Teoh
Boon Lim, decathlete Malik Tobias and pole vaulter Teh Weng Chang. The
three women are walkers Yuan Yu Fang and Annastasia Karen Raj and sprinter
G. Shanti.
(END)

Ready to roll

11/07/1998

THE Bukit Jalil Main Stadium occupies the central and most prominent
position in the National Sports Complex and is designed to harmonise the
best of national and international architecture. The complex occupies 80
hectares and is located 8km from the city.
The significant feature of the 100,000-capacity stadium is its advanced
cable-tensioned membrane roof.
With its steel compression rings, cables, arches and membranes held
together in a unique manner, the roof covers an area approximately 38,000
square metres - making it the biggest of its kind in the world.
The membrane roof comes with a 20-year guarantee and is free from any
need of additional support in the middle.
The principal technical characteristic of the Stadium is the overlapping
of the three spectator tiers. All functional and secondary areas are
accommodated on two levels below the main concourse. The design
incorporates a roof over the entire spectator seating areas.
The concourse level is the only distribution level, thus allowing easier
orientation. VIP areas are located adjacent to the main lobby.
The seating arrangements in the main stadium include 850 seats for
members of the Press and 200 wheelchair spaces.
The Stadium's design has been wind-tunnel tested at a maximum speed of
32kmh and has also been tested for a 12-minute evacuation time from the
farthest point inside the stadium.
COMPETING ARENA:
* PLAYING field - 68m x 105m with natural grass.
* NINE lane, 400m tartan track with pit for steeplechase.
* A 10-lane 100m track.
* SCOREBOARD (full-colour video matrix type).
* LIGHTING system for good television broadcast.
* MARATHON and service gates.
* WATER jump hurdle.
WARM-UP CENTRES:
Adjacent to the Main Stadium are two warm-up centres:
* NATIONAL Sports Council track and jump centre (eight-lane synthetic
track).
* NATIONAL Sports Council throwing centre.
* THESE centres are located to the southeast of the Main Stadium where
entry to the hold-up area is via a tunnel.
TRAINING CENTRES:
* NATIONAL Sports Council track and jump centre (eight-lane synthetic
track)
* NATIONAL Sports Council throwing centre.
* MAYBANK sports complex.
(END)

All set for the grand opening

11/07/1998

IT was chaotic outside the Bukit Jalil Sports Complex amid the strong
smell of wet paint with workers frantically trying to get the main stadium
ready for the official opening tonight.
But that was only on the surface.
The launch of the RM1.2 billion complex by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr
Mahathir Mohamad tonight has been meticulously planned and rehearsed.
"The 100,000 free tickets have been distributed and the owners of the
Light Rail Transit have agreed to offer free rides to all who want to
catch the historic moment," said event promoter Dr Kay Mohamed in Kuala
Lumpur yesterday.
"Right now our fear is an overwhelming response and those without
tickets turning up at the Stadium."
At the moment, there are no big screens outside the main stadium, so
those who make the trip without tickets will be left with nothing to
watch.
However, the Pre-Games carnival begins as early as 10am with various
activities lined up within the vicinity of the Bukit Jalil Sports Complex.
The events will be on throughout the day until the main event begins at
5.0pm.
No tickets are needed for the carnival.
During the Opening Ceremony, Dr Mahathir will officially name the main
stadium and the rest of the facilities around the complex.
Before the opening, Dr Mahathir will inaugurate the LRT service from the
Bukit Jalil Station to downtown Kuala Lumpur, and launch 400 Petronas
taxis which will be used during the Games proper on Sept 11-21.
Bowler Shalin Zulkifli will have the honour of handing over the torch to
the Prime Minister who will then light the cauldron to mark the opening of
the complex.
Some of the top local entertainers such as M. Nasir, Ziana Zain and Erra
Fazira will be performing.
Also on stage will be Indian singer Sudesh Boshle.
* PERUSAHAAN Otomobil Elektrik Malaysia (POEM), Malaysia's electric car
manufacturer, will hand over 50 cars called the Elektriksuria to Games
organisers Sukom at the opening today.
(END)

Weather bests the Aquatic Stadium

13/07/1998


THE Pre-Commonwealth Games at the National Sports Complex in Bukit Jalil
is a litmus test for organisers Sukom Ninety Eight Berhad, the Sports
Ministry, athletes, facilities, officials and volunteers.
Yesterday, during a one-hour downpour, the facilities took a beating
with the National Aquatic Stadium the worst hit.
First, a shower of dust blew in from the construction site facing the
pools.
Then, drops of rain fell on those sitting at the grandstand due to leaks
in the membrane roof.
The membrane roof, covering the entire diving and swimming area as well
as other parts of the complex, comes with a 20-year warranty. It is in
dire need of a thorough check-up to spare Sukom embarrassment during the
Games proper.
The officials responsible for parking also need to brush up on their
duties. The parking lots around the complex were almost empty because the
public chose to drive right up to the entrance of the stadia.
The volunteers are another story.
"We don't have a clue of what is happening. First, we were told meals
will be provided, then we were were told that an allowance to cover our
meals will be handed daily," said a volunteer.
"But after being kept waiting for three hours on Saturday, we were told
to use our own resources while compensation will be sent by post later."
The volunteers, who were more dazed than first-time visitors to the
complex, have also been told to make do with one T-shirt for the entire
Pre-Games.
(END)

Ai Lian, Thubashini confirmed

17/07/1998

MALAYSIAN women's golf champion Lim Ai Lian and runnerup Sri Lanka's
Thubashini Selvaratnam have confirmed participation for the 7th Epson
Saujana Women's Amateur Open at the Saujana Golf Club (SGCC) on Aug 8-10.
The duo will lead an international field of golfers from the
Philippines, Singapore, China, India and Thailand for the premier women's
trophy.
Epson Trading, who will be sponsoring the event into its 7th year,
presented a cheque for RM35,000 to SGCC.
"I am confident that this year's Open will attract as much interest as
the past years. Last year we had about 100 golfers and right now the
entries stand at 50. But with two weeks to go, I am confident we will
reach a similar number of golfers," said Epson managing director Miho
Tanaka.
Epson will also give away one unit of their EMP-3500 Multimedia
Projector worth RM23,000 for the hole-in-one during the Open.
"The standard of play has been on an upward trend, in fact it is amazing
to watch some of the distances achieved by the women which is a testament
of their fitness and commitment to the sport," said Tanaka.
Last year, Ai Lian won by the skin of her teeth when she carded a final
round of nine-over 81 on a three-day total of 230.
Thuhashini returned a final round of 78 but finished second at one
stroke behind.
Jaruwan Gulyanamitta from Thailand on a total of 234 and Australian
Heather Cummingson on 241 finished third and fourth respectively but they
have yet to confirm their entries.
(END)

Milo Cup now on zonal format

18/07/1998

THE Under-18 Milo Cup will be held from July 24-Oct 10 at various venues
around the country on a zonal basis, unlike the previous carnival format.
"We decided on the Zonal format because the earlier carnival approach
was too hectic. Right now the teams will have more time to play soccer,"
said Syed Ahmad Kuning, FA of Malaysia's (FAM) Director of Youth and
Development.
The Milo Cup will be entering its 12th year of competition, and
according to Ahmad, it has produced numerous national players.
"This is a good base for selecting backup players for the national team
and it has proven its worth in the past. We will have selection officials
at all venues," said Syed Ahmad.
Fifteen teams will take part in the tournament with the Bukit Jalil
Sports School (BJSS) making its debut.
Last year the tournament was held at the Police Depot grounds and Kuala
Lumpur emerged champions when they beat Selangor 2-1.
Kelantan and Terenggana will kick off the tournament on July 24 at the
Ketereh Municipal Council field and the tournament will be played on a
home-and-away basis right up till the final.
The champions will receive RM20,000 and runners-up RM10,000.
There will be no third place playoff.
Zone A: Kedah, Perak, Penang, Perlis; Zone B: Selangor, Kuala Lumpur,
Sarawak, Sabah;
Zone C: Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang; Zone D: Negri Sembilan, Malacca,
Johor, Bukit Jalil Sports School.
(END)

Lifters polish their skills in Moscow

20/07/1998

THE national weightlifters received a much needed lift when they were
given the green light by the National Sports Council (NSC) to under go a
one-month training stint in Moscow.
The team left last week with a "new hope" who is capable of winning a
medal in the 56kg category at the September Games.
Abdul Rahman Ahmad, always in the shadows of 1994 Victoria Games silver
medallist Matin Guntali, hit the headlines when he rewrote the national
record twice at the Malaysian Open last month.
Rahman first set a national mark of 107.5kg in snatch. The old mark of
102.5kg was set by Terengganu's Roswadi Rashid.
That new mark also equalled India's Thandava Muthu's Commonwealth
Championship record.
Matin then lifted 237.5kg to smash the old national record of 227.5kg
set by Roswadi.
And in the clean and jerk event, he lifted 130.0kg to equal Roswadi's
national record.
Matin has not been impressive the past year while 24-year-old Rahman,
from Pahang, also equalled the Commonwealth Championships record in the
56kg category.
His achievements were all the more remarkable considering he had to
battle a shoulder injury for the past nine months that forced him out of
March's Commonwealth Championship in Nauru.
"We took into consideration that the weightlifters are medal prospects
for the Comonwealth Games and also because they were geting a little
restless training at the same venue every day of the year," said NSC
director general Datuk Mazlan Ahmad.
Team manager Abu Hanapiah Ismail and coaches Slava Lelikov and Willian
Yeo accompanied the lifters.
"Initially the plan was to send the weightlifters to train in Turkey with
a club run by Naim Suleymanoglu. Since we did not receive any response
from them, we decided on Russia."
The choice of Russia was also because the weightlifters have been
following a Russian programme the past three years.
Twenty-seven countries have confirmed participation in the Commonwealth
Games.
In Victoria in 1994, only 19 countries and 91 weightlifters took part.
Squad: Abdul Rahman Ahmad, Matin Guntali (56kg); Kamaruzaman Jusan
(62kg); Hidayat Hamidon, Rosdi Ngah (69kg); Rosliman Haron (77kg); Edmund
Yeo (85kg); Che Mohamed Azrol (105kg).
(END)

Only minor glitches remain

22/07/1998

SPORTS Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday declared that all is
well after chairing the Commonwealth Games council meeting.
He added that only minor glitches need to be ironed out.
"Traffic control during the opening of the National Sports Complex on
July 11 was discussed at length because we discovered that this area needs
immediate attention," said Muhyiddin.
Traffic management, under Senior Assistant Commissioner (II) Dell Akbar
Khan, received plenty of flak from the public. Initial feedback showed
that many ticket holders were given the runaround during the opening of
the complex by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Most got tired of being pushed around by strict traffic management and
went home instead. The National Stadium, with a capacity of 100,000,
admitted about 70,000 people on July 11.
Dell had said that only vehicles with special stickers were allowed to
park at the complex's parking bay, but the rule was broken and many VIPs
with special stickers had to fight their way in and arrived late.
"We also discussed other shortcomings during the pre-Games and I am
happy that most of the problems have been rectified. We received good
feedback from the public and their main grouse was that there were not
enough signboards around the complex.
Guest passes for the opening and closing ceremonies have been increased
from 4,000 to 5,000.
"We have sent invitations to the guests of the government and hope they
will come early and take their places as scheduled so that the ceremonies
will not be delayed."
Muhyiddin, who presented a progress report to Dr Mahathir in the
morning, said: "The Prime Minister was briefed on the feedback received
from the pre-Games and has urged the Games Council to rectify some of the
glitches.
"Towards this, the council will now meet once a week and present their
problems, if any, so that they can be solved," said Muhyiddin.
On the bickering for places in the national teams, Muhyiddin said he
will leave it to the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) and the various
associations to select athletes based on the criteria that had been
decided.
"OCM and associations have the final say," said Muhyiddin.
(END)