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