GUANGZHOU RESIDENTS TO ENJOY VARIOUS INCENTIVES FOR ASIAN GAMES

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- Local sports event organizers in Malaysia
must emulate the 16th Asian Games host city, Guangzhou's initiative to alert
city folks of the Asiad, by sending letters to their residence and providing
free transportation and access to the Games.

According to the Asian Games official website, besides free transportation
and access to the stadium, the local government of Guangzhou also plans to
announce a three-day public holiday for the opening and closing ceremonies, as
well as free bus and subway transportation for 30 working days.

Deputy Director of the General Administrative Office of Guangzhou
Government, Ouyang Yongsheng said these initiatives were aimed at increasing
awareness and enthusiasm for the Asian Games.

"In addition, more than two million residents will win free tickets for the
event through a lucky draw," Ouyang said.

The city's residents will also be entitled to a 50 percent to 80 percent
discounts at tourist spots between Nov 12 to 14 and Dec 12 and 13.

From Nov 11 to Dec 20, 13 stadiums will be open to the residents, free
of
charge and more than one million tickets - including tickets to see movies and
cultural exhibitions - as well as tickets for the Asian Games, will be given out
free to the public through lucky draws.

Commenting on the generosity of the host, Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM)
honorary secretary Sieh Kok Chi said the move would ensure there was no
empty seat in the stadiums.

"Compared to the situation of the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, where the
organizer just want to make money by not giving away free tickets. That is the
reason why it was reported that there were so many empty seats for the games.

"The Guangzhou move will ensure a full-house stadium and make the games
merrier," he said.

-- BERNAMA