OCM to Thailand: Don’t act like a novice host

KUALA LUMPUR: The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) have taken SEA Games hosts Thailand to task, saying they should not act like a “novice host”.

OCM honorary-secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi said yesterday that Thailand, the hosts of five previous SEA Games and four editions of the Asian Games, should be more professional and not act like novices.

Kok Chi had been asked to comment on a Bernama report from Bangkok yesterday in which the secretary of the Korat SEA Games Committee, Charoen Wattanasin, had slammed OCM president Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja’afar for not getting the correct information from OCM vice-president, Datuk W.Y. Chin, who attended the SEA Games Federation (SGF) meeting two weeks ago.

Tunku Imran had taken to task the Korat organising committee for not updating members on Thailand’s preparations and delaying the issuing of media accreditation.

“Chin and all the SGF members were updated on Thailand’s preparations for the 24th edition of the biennial Games during the meeting. Chin was happy with the progress made by us,” Wattanasin was reported as saying.

However, Kok Chi said during the OCM board members’ meeting two days ago, Chin gave the impression that there would be some delays on Thailand’s part in handling certain issues including media accreditation.

“Although Charoen said that the media can get the accreditation forms from their respective national Olympic committees, what do you expect OCM to give when we don’t have the official forms issued by them?

“And the media keep on asking for the accreditation forms as they need to budget their stay in Thailand during the Games, but we don’t have any,” Kok Chi said.

To resolve the matter, Kok Chi said OCM had faxed a letter to the organising committee yesterday morning, asking for the official accreditation forms. – Bernama 15 Sept 2007