Nine associations told to pay their own way to Bali

KUALA LUMPUR: (Bernama 25 June 2008) Nine national sports associations intending to participate in the inaugural Asian Beach Games in Bali from Oct 18 to 26 have been told the bear the costs of expenses themselves.

The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) secretary, Datuk Sieh Kok Chi, said that the Games were not in the same status as the SEA Games, Asiad or the Olympics for them to foot the bill.

“We welcome the move by associations to compete in such a prestigious international meet but regret to say they have to bear all the expenses themselves,” he said yesterday.

Kok Chi said that the associations who planned to participate in the Games were from sailing, kabadi, beach volleyball, beach sepak takraw, beach football, bodybuilding, triathlon, woodball and parasailing.

He added that the organisers had set participation fee for each athlete at US$50 (RM160) a day and that any other association interested to feature in the Games could contact the OCM before the closing date on June 30. – Bernama 25 June 2008