Iran backs Malaysia's bid for Asian Games

Iran backs Malaysia's bid for Asian Games

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia has won Iran's support for its high-profile campaign to stage the 2006 Asian Games, Bernama news agency said Wednesday.

The official Malaysian agency, in a report from Tehran, quoted comments by Hashemi Taba, the Iranian National Olympic Council president, in a meeting with Malaysia's visiting bidding committee.

"The successful staging of the 16th Commonwealth Games in 1998 is an added advantage to Malaysia," Taba was quoted as saying.

Kuala Lumpur is competing with Hong Kong, the Qatari capital Doha and New Delhi to host the lucrative and prestigious event.