AHMAD SHABERY EXPRESSES SATISFACTION WITH CG PREPARATIONS FROM FRANK JULIAN MARTIN

NEW DELHI, Oct 2 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's Youth and Sports Minister Ahmad Shabery
Cheek Saturday expressed his satisfaction with the preparations made by India
for this year's Commonwealth Games (CG).

According to him, negative reports by the media and criticisms hurled at the
country about the preparations were exaggerated to put the hosts in a bad light.

After making a visit to the Games' village here and having lunch with Malaysian
athletes there, he said so far there had been no complaints from the national
athletes.

"However, they (Malaysian athletes) will have to make sure they do not gain
weight because the meals served are very tasty," he joked to Malaysian
journalists accompanying him on the visit.

He said he was also impressed with the tight security provided for the Games,
which had not only reassured the Malaysian contingent but also the others.

Asked if he thought security was too tight with media personnel, athletes and
even VIPs being closely vetted with bag and body searches, Ahmad Shabery said
India had its reasons to do so.

"There are several internal security issues that the country is dealing with
which have been taken into consideration by the organisers and everyone
including VIPs must conform to the security requirements," he said.

The national contingent is also being accompanied by several Malaysian security
personnel who are working closely with their counterparts from the organisers to
advise the national athletes on the "do's and dont's" concerning security and
safety.

"This is the first time security personnel are accompanying the Malaysian
contingent (at an international sports meet) and it is hoped this will be a
regular feature in future," said Ahamad Shabery.

On the medal target, Ahmad Shabery said conservatively Malaysia aimed to capture
10 gold from lawn bowls, badminton, squash, weightlifting, track cycling and
diving.
-- BERNAMA