Malaysia satisfied with Australia's explanation

Malaysia satisfied with Australia's explanation

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia's Commonwealth Games chief said
yesterday he was satisfied with comments from a top Australian
sports official, who denied he had earlier cast doubt on
Malaysia's capability to organize next month's games.

"Crosswhite has given an explanation which says that he was
misunderstood by the press while giving advice to athletes from
his country," Hashim Mohamad Ali was quoted as saying by Bernama
news agency.

"I agree with the explanation and accept it with an open
heart."

Perry Crosswhite is the Australian Commonwealth Games
Association general manager. Remarks he made Wednesday riled the
host country.

Crosswhite said Malaysia may have difficulty coping with
specific sport issues because some games logistical staffers are
former military officers.

"Statistically the army is probably quite capable of doing
it," said Crosswhite, general manager of the Commonwealth Games
Association.

"But when it comes down to the specific sport issues, such as
the technical officials and how a cycling points race is won and
who gives the scores ... that is where it comes down to
specialized areas which probably the military don't have any
experience in," he said last week.

Also Saturday Health Minister Chua Jui Meng said his ministry
would ensure the Kuala Lumpur Hospital Blood Bank had more than
1,500 bags of blood daily during the games.

He said 500 bags would be reserved for any emergencies
involving athletes, officials and those directly involved with
the games while the rest would be for public use.

"We hope there will be no untoward incidents during the games,
but if there are emergencies we will be ready," he said after
launching a blood donation campaign.