OCA chief still hopeful about Asiad

OCA chief still hopeful about Asiad

BANGKOK (AFP): Asia's visiting Olympic chief has expressed concern over delays in the construction of the main sport complex for next year's Asian Games here, radio reports said yesterday.

But Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) president Sheikh Ahmad Al- Sabah said he remained confident that Bangkok would host the Games, which are exactly one year away.

Sheikh Ahmad met Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai, Deputy Prime Minister Pichai Rattakul and top sports officials to discuss progress in the preparations for the 1998 Asian Games.

The OCA president advised Thailand to prepare an emergency plan in case the construction of the main sport complex at Muang Thong Thani, north of the capital Bangkok, is not finished on time, national radio said.

Pichai told reporters the government had already prepared such a contingency plan.

In September the sheikh helped broker a last-minute deal between the OCA and the Bangkok organizers to allow Thailand to keep the prestigious event despite delays in preparations. He said he was satisfied the games would go ahead here.

"Experienced officials who are capable of preparing for the Asiad with knowledge and ability are in charge now and they are backed by political clout," he said, according to the Bangkok Post.

The sheikh said the "OCA's confidence has soared" since new appointments were made to the Bangkok Asian Games Organizing Committee (BAGOC), ending months of political bickering which had further delayed preparations.

"This is what we wanted to see to ensure the safe delivery of the games," he told the paper.

"Good cooperation, proper understanding and excellent leadership are paramount to ensure not only the Asian Games, but any international sports event is properly staged.

"That's what we have been clamoring for all these years," he said.

The committee had threatened to shift the Dec. 6 to Dec. 20 event to another Asian city after Bangkok failed to make adequate plans despite seven years of warning.