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.