Malaysian may host the 2006 Asiad

Malaysian may host the 2006 Asiad

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia - the runner up to Qatar in the bid to
host the 2006 Asian Games - may get another chance at it because
of current international security jitters, a news report said
Monday.

An official from Malaysia's bidding team, requesting
anonymity, told the Sun daily newspaper because of current
security worries in the Gulf region it may be deemed unsafe to
host the games in the kingdom of Qatar.

"Although Malaysia and Qatar were finalists (after India
pulled out), the decision will be taken by the member countries
of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA)," the official was quoted as
saying.

If security problems are prolonged, it could also affect the
economies of the region, and Qatar may not be a safe haven to
host the games, the official said. --DPA