MALAYSIAN SPORTS MINISTRY TO GO AHEAD WITH ASEAN PARA GAMES DESPITE H1N1 THREAT

KEMAMAN (Malaysia), Aug 8 (Bernama)-- The Malaysian Youth and Sports Ministry has no
intention of postponing the Asean Para Games (KL 09) next week despite the threat
posed by the influenza A (H1N1) virus.


Its minister, Ahmad Shabery Cheek, said the five-day paralympic games

beginning on Aug 15 would proceed as scheduled, and at the same time, preventive

measures as outlined by the Health Ministry would be taken to protect the

athletes and officials involved in the meet.


"No need to postpone...if we look abroad, many championships are going on

despite the threat of the H1N1 outbreak.


"The athletes have stronger immunity against diseases compared to the

ordinary people, and if they are infected, they will recover faster.


"For example, five students from the Bukit Jalil Sports School who had

symptoms of the illness last week had quickly recovered. Furthermore, there's no

need for us to prevent the foreign athletes from coming here merely because we

are scared of the imported cases, whereas there are already many local cases

which are more dangerous," he told Bernama in Kemaman, a town in the eastern coast
of Trengganu State.


The KL 09 is expected to be participated by 1,200 athletes and officials

from 10 Asean member countries and Timor Leste.


-- BERNAMA