OCA PRESIDENT PRAISES GUANGZHOU FOR EXCELLENT JOB

FROM FARHANAH AZMI

GUANGZHOU, Nov 27 (Bernama) -- The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has praised
Guangzhou for hosting a successful 16th Asian Games.

"I can now officially announce that the Guangzhou Asian Games is a success and
one of the best among all Asian Games," OCA president Sheikh Ahmed Al Fahad Al
Sabah told a press conference at the Games' Main Press Centre here Saturday.

He added that the southern Chinese city had to demonstrate that the two-week
Games would not be a poor relation to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

"To make the Games better is our job. Some of the OCA officials told me the
Guangzhou Asian Games opening ceremony may be even better than that of the
Beijing Olympics. The athletes' village and facilities are better than Beijing.

"Each Games has different aims and conditions and Guangzhou is a great success,"
said Sheikh Ahmad.

More than 10,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions participated in 42
sports offered at the Games with 36 countries making it to the medal standings
and 28 winning at least one gold medal.

Thus far, only two athletes failed anti-doping tests. Both were
from Uzbekistan -- wrestler Jakhongir Muminov and judoka Shokir
Muminov, who are not believed to be related.

In these two weeks, three world records were shattered -- two in
weightlifting and one in archery while 103 new Asian records were set.

On the final day Saturday, five gold medals were up for grabs, in marathon,
volleyball and sepak takraw.
-- BERNAMA