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General:
Bomb scare, Pakistanis arrested and riots averted by Police.
Thai police said yesterday that they had arrested four Pakistanis suspected to plan a bomb attack during the Asian Games. The Police said the persons held were not terrorists but businessmen who had overstayed.
This came in response to protests from the Pakistan Embassy in Bangkok.
Pakistani ambassador Sher Afgan Khan alleged one of the men, detained since yesterday, was badly beaten when he refused to sign a confession. "We are against terrorism, but innocent people should not be arrested just to put feathers or achievement in your cap," he said. He said the other three men signed under duress.
Assistant Natinal Chief Lt Col Tjavatchai Pailee confirmed that the bomb-making equipment seized earlier did not belong to the Pakistanis, and that the fuses and electrical components were of the type used by mining companies to fire demolition charges.
However, the arrest sent fears of terror attack, adding to the mounting nerves ahead of the troubled Asian Games. A huge security blanket has been thrown over the Thai capital to protect athletes and dignitaries ahead of Sunday's official opening by King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai moved to sooth terrorism fears saying police and the military had the situation under control. "It is our duty to take care of security as best as we can. There is nothing to be concerned about, but we do not want to be careless," Chuan told reporters. Major-General Banchorn Chavansil, responsible for anti-terrorism measures at the Thai military supreme command, added: "The military is confident that it can control the situation regarding action targeted against the Games or foreign embassies, or anything."
The police also narrowly averted a riot at the a dress rehearsal for the opening ceremony the Rajamangala National Stadium on Tuesday night. The rehersal, which was announced to be for public viewing, was shut out to the public, for security reasons. Angry spectators threatened to burn cars if they were not let in. Officials ordered the gates to the Stadium opened when police said they could not cope. In an earlier opening ceremony rehersal, a tuk-tuk (local trishaw) ran over some schoolchildren, leaving three injured.
General:
Chinese delegation arrives minus coach Ma.
The strong contending Chinese team arrived yesterday at the Games Village amidst waves, smiles and predictions of success but without the presence of renowned super coach Ma Junren. One European coach attached to the Games said that it was "like a hamburger without the meat". Ma was dropped from the squad after failing to enter enough domestic events this season.
Despite Ma, the Chinese team commands a high level of respect in the Asiad village. There Chinese were the top of the medals table at the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima, taking 22 of the 43 golds on offer, giving them a huge buffer zone ahead of Japan's five and Qatar's four.
The Chinese, particularly their women, will dominate track and field in Bangkok, even without the mesmeric, mercurial Ma and his outlawed "army" of distance runners.
Ma's small band of runners runners grabbed six golds, three silvers and three bronzes, in the last Asian Games beating even Japan's aggregate medals tally. Ma's talents include Wang Junxia, the 10,000m world champion and a multiple world record holder and an Olympic champion. The Asiad will miss Ma's new star, Jiang Bo, who smashed the 5,000m world record at the Chinese national Games last October in Shanghai.
General:
Korean Asiad delegation arrives in Games Village.
The Korean Asian Games delegation, comprising 38 officials and 293 athletes from 14 sports, left yesterday for Bankok aboard Korean Air Lines. The delegation is led by Kim Jeong Hang, who is the president of Yongin University.
Korea is aiming for second place at Bangkok hoping to buoy the nation which is coping with an economic recession. Korea is expecting gold medals in taekwondo, archery, boxing, soccer, handball, field hockey, volleyball, basketball, baseball and wrestling. Their main rivals for these events are China, Japan, North Korea and central Asian countries.
The Bangkok Asiad is also an event for the Koreans to observe carefully, since the next Asiad will be held at Pusan, South Korea in 2002.
General:
Asiad Games forgers warned, the second time.
Police Maj Gen Jongrak Juthanonda warned yesterday that both buyers and sellers of forged tickets for the Asian Games event will be charged and could be jailed for three years and fined Bhat 6,000. "Once we find those people, we'll imprison them until they are found innocent. And while they are waiting to prove their innocence, they can watch the ceremonies in jail," he added.
In a separate news, PM's Office Minister Jurin Laksanaisith says tough legal action will be taken against anyone found pirating Asian Games merchandise. "There'll be no compromise. That's why we have a sub-committee for the protection of rights and benefits," he said, making reference to Fake goods bearing the Games logos and mascots, such as the Chang chai-yo, which are already on the streets. Thai police have been asked to clamp down on the imitators.
General:
No lighting at stadium, no media rights fee.
TV broadcast rights holders have demanded Thai TV Pool to adjust the unclear video signal caused by insufficient lighting in some venues. Some foreign media even said they would not pay their fees if the signal is not as clear as stated in the contract.
The Thai TV Pool says it has now solved the problem at all main venues.
Lighting systems in Muang Thong Thani Sport Complex's halls 3 and 4, which is the venue for the Gymnastics venues, have been tested and the TV pool confirmed yesterday that the lighting was sufficient for the competition. The Federation of International Gymnastics has given its approval.
General:
Games facilities receive praises, complaints, and thumps down.
Olympic Council of Asia president Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah said the games village was the best-ever. He said this after making a last-minute official inspection of the facilitie together with OCA secretary-general Raja Randhir Singh.
At a press conference at the Athletes Service Centre, the Sheikh said, "I think Thailand have successful prepared for the hosting of the 13th Asian Games. It was a challenging task, but they have done well. As for the Athletes Village here, I think it's the best village I have ever seen. Accommodation and facilities meet different demands. Everything is okay."
Meanwhile, Karugi Kogake, head of the Japanese Asian Games delegation, declared that the 12th Asian Games at Hiroshima was better organised.
Kogake who has been in town the last two days added that Thailand's preparations cannot compare with the 12th Asian Games preparations in terms of competition organising, the welcome and the condition of the residential accommodation.
The Taiwanese equestrian team complained to organizers that the riding fields at the army cavalry base where the events will be held are too soft and have holes that could cause accidents and injury to horses and riders. Show jumping, Jiuh-chao Lin, is worried that his German-bred horse which is the best prospects for gold medal for Taiwan, is worried of a tendon injury due to the poor conditions of the grounds.
In a separate incident, arguments broke out between officials and athletes on Wednesday over whether the Asian Games swimming pool at the newly completed Aquatic Center will be ready for the start of races. Athletes have complained about the pool which is infected with insects and with the water temperature set incorrectly. The Thailand Amateur Swimming Association (Tasa) has been battling to clear away swarms of dead insects which have infested the pool in recent weeks. Swimming officials stress that all problems will be solved in time before the event opens.
Thai head swimming coach Samrerng Thosakul rejected the Tasa official's comments, saying the problems will continue during competition. Samreng also said that under Fina temperature control rules, the water temperature must be 26 degrees celcius (plus or minus one degree) but the sports authorities have refused to adjust the water temperature for training purposes. Swimmers from Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates have already begun training at the Aquatic Center, despite the cold water.
Another blow to the Bangkok Asian Games Organising Committee (Bagoc) was the recent postponement of the opening of the main media center. The main media center, already a week behind schedule for its inauguration, saw the official opening postponed again Tuesday to Dec 3 (today) when Jurin Laksanavisit, a government minister, didn't show because the facilities weren't ready. Nearly 5,000 journalists are accredited to cover the games
Bowling:
Bowling alleys may suit right-handed bowlers.
National coach Sid Allen said on Tuesday that the lane conditions at the PS Bowl in Bangkok, the venue of the Asiad bowling tournament, may be made "very unfriendly" to most of the Malaysian competitors if the made to favor right-handed bowlers.
He said chances are high that it will happen because Thailand has only one southpaw (left-handed) among their 12 bowlers. South Korea and Taiwan also stands to benefit from the move. The Malaysian squad has 4 bowlers who are southpaws: Kenny Ang, Ben Heng, Alex Liew and Lai Kin Ngoh. The right-handers in the Malaysian team are Daniel Lim, Vincent Low, Lai Chuen Lian, Shalin Zulkifli, Sarah Yap, Sharon Low, Karen Lian and Low Poh Lian.
National assistant coach Jim Porter said that the PS Bowl lanes have synthetic material and not wooden surface. To enable the southpaws to adjust to the lane conditions, the Malaysian squad has moved its training to Genting Bowl which also has synthetic material. They leave for Bangkok this Saturday.
The coach added that record showed that women keglers adjusted better to synthetic lanes. "In September, Shalin Zulkifli won two gold medals in the World Youth Championships in South Korea while Lai Kin Ngoh won the Genting Open title (June) and the squad for the Jakarta SEA Games last year won five gold medals. All were done on synthetic lanes," said Porter.
Football:
Lowly-ranked India takes on formidable Japan.
Once a respected team against European opponents, twice champion India enters the football competition as a virtual pushover as it takes on Japan today. India was the gold medallist in the 1951 Asian Games at New Delhi and the 1962 Jakarta Games, and took the bronze in Bangkok in 1970.
In 1970, when India won the last of its three medals, current coach Syed Nayeemuddin was the skipper but this time around his task has been rendered unenviable despite a sprinkling of talent in the side with the likes of captain I.M. Vijayan and his fellow striker Baichung Bhutia.
Football:
Turkmenistan stun South Korea
Two goals by Ioor Kislov led Turkmenistan to a stunning last-gasp 3-2 win over South Korea yesterday. The Koreans, who lost the game in the final minutes, found themselves a man down when 25-year old Lee Byoung-Keun suffered the humiliation of becoming the first player to be sent off since the competition. Kuwaiti referee Manei Kameel gave Lee his marching orders in the 71st minute for a dangerous late tackle.
South Korea lead after only two minutes when Choi Yong-Soo's left half-hit shot deflected off a defender for Korea's first goal. Choi made it 2-0 in the 45th minute with another deflection, this time his shot glancing off Yoo Sang-Chul. But a determined Turkmenistan put themselves firmly back in the match in the 60th minute when Kislov bundled a Muslim Agaev cross over the line. With four minutes left Agaev levelled the scores with the goal of the tournament. In the final minute, Kislov took a cross from Kurbangeldy Durdyev to slip it past an out-of-position Korean keeper Kim Byung-Ji.
With the win, Turkmenistan is secured for the Second Round, while South Korea must win against Vietnam to remain in the tournament.
See Football Results
Football:
UAE prevails against North Korea on penalty shoot-out.
The UAE, who made the final of the Asian Cup two years ago and just missed out on a trip to this year's World Cup, seemed to have the match wrapped up in the Group E pool, leading 3-0 with less than half-an-hour to go. North Korea however levelled the match ith two goals in the last eight minutes, forcing a penalty shoot-out. UAE won the shoot-out 4-1. In the past, North Korea had lost the 1990 Asiad to Iran also on a shoot-out.
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Football:
China wins over Cambodia 4-1, Cambodians have moral victory.
A first half hat-trick within the first 38 minutes by Eintracht Frankfurt striker Yang Chen allowed China to switch off in the second half against Cambodia and move comfortably into the second round of the tournament. This was Yang's first-ever hat-trick for the national side.
But the 4-1 defeat was a moral victory for the Cambodians, who were the rated as one of the worst sides in South East Asia, regularly suffering double digit defeats. After striker Hok Sochetra scored his side's consolation goal in the 81st minute, he celebrated with an impromptu somersault followed by a clenched fist salute.
Goals: Yang (17th), Wang Peng (26th), Yang (32nd), Yang (38th), Hok (81st).
See Football Results
Football:
Hosts Thailand make easy 5-0 win against Hong Kong.
Thailand made it to the Second Round with a convincing 5-0 win against Hong Kong. Hong Kong, the whipping boy in the Asiad, lost 6-0 to Oman earlier in the same Group F pool.
In one of the quickest goals of the tournament so far, Kritsda Piandit deftly skipped around the Hong Kong defenders, and fired a mighty left footer inside the far post for Thailand's first goal. Thailand's second goal came from a free-kick taken by Worawut Srimakha, following the tripping of Kiartisak Senamuang in the last 22 yards. In the 23rd minute, the rejuvenated Kiartisak scored his first superb double from a rebound off the Hong Kong keeper Fan Chun Yip. In the second half, Tawan added Thailand's fourth goal after 53 minutes with a 50-yarder. The Thai team, which slowed down thereafter and received a chorus of boos from its fans, went on to put their fifth and last goal four minutes before time, from Kiartisak.
English adviser Peter Withe said the rain made controlling the ball difficult, but this would not have altered the result and conceded that the Thai team to improve its offensive game for the next match to ensure the win against Oman.
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Football:
Europe spies seeking out Asian superstars.
The representative of some of the world top European clubs are expected in Bangkok for the start of the second round of the tournament with an eye for asia talents. Some of the players who had make an impact in Europe include reigning Asian player of the year, Japan Hidetoshi Nakata who's is playing for Italian side Perugia and Ali Dei, an Iranian striker who plays for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. The up and coming Shinji Ono from Japan is also following Nakata footstep to Europe. He is linked to Juventus and Ajax by the Japanese Media prior to the World Cup in France this year.
Hockey:
Malaysian coach believe that his veterans player.
Malaysian Asiad squad coach, Stephen Van Huizen, whose coaching career in Malaysia is at stake from the disappointing peformance of the Malaysian squad in friendlies in Egypt, believes that his veterans player will have to hold the team together in Asiad. 12 new player were selected for Bangkok with the remaining 12 players from its Commonwealth Games squad. The youngsters he said still have to improve a lot in their game. The reliance will still be on the some key players who are mostly seniors.
Sepak Takraw:
Thailand's veteran Kriengkrai makes comeback for Asiad.
Kriengkrai Mutalai, who represented Thailand eight times in international competitions, beginning with the 12th SEA Games in Singapore, and winning 11 SEA Games gold medals in the process, has come out of retirement to take part in this Asiad.
Kriengkrai had quit competitions after 18 years (his last being the 1994 Hiroshima Asian Games) because of a chronic knee injury which has affected him for many years. The 34 years old is the eldest takraw smasher in the Thai team. He is brimming with confidence that he will net one last gold medal before calling it quits.
Thailand is the hot favorite this Asiad. Thailand lost to the Malaysians in the last Asian Games, but "I think our team can beat them this time," Kriengkrai said. Malaysia has however warned that it will prevent Thailand from making a clean sweep in this event. The Malaysian team is mastering the new striking smash the Thais introduced several years ago, and expect to give Thailand a tough fight for the golds.
Shooting:
Practice Shoots, Thais ready to spring surprises.
Clay target shooting team manager Panomporn Bholganist expressed confidence that Thai skeet shooters are approaching international standards and could be a surprise hit, and with a medal offing. The favorites for the event are China, Korea and Uzbekistan who are expected to dominate the competition.
Sheikh Ahmed Mohammed, a prince of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the country's only marksman, also arrived on Wednesday morning. The Japanese team arrived on Nov 30, and hot favourites China have already been at the range at Hua Mark for two days. Chinese team official Sung Shengnei, complained, "The buildings behind the targets make the shooters uneasy. They cannot concentrate very well with those buildings in front of them."
Squash:
Watch out for young Nicol, Malaysia's gold prospect.
Malaysia's Nicol Ann David, who became the youngest Asian champion this year, will make her first debut at the Asian Games. She is also Malaysia's best hopes for a gold in the event.
The 15-year old has had a hectic schedule in the last few months on and off court. After the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games in September, she had to burn the midnight oil to prepare for the Malaysian Schools PMR examinations. Immediately after sitting for the examinations, she was back on court to prepare for the Asiad.
"My fitness is not up to the mark compared to when I competed in the Asian Championships. But I'm working my way up," said Nicol. However, She took part in the Asian Junior Squash Grand Prix Finals in India last week and won the Under-19 title.
She is likely to play against Singapore's Mah Li Lian in the semi-finals. Li Lian is a veteran, having won the Asian title four times, East Asian crown five times and the SEA Games gold medal twice. If Nicol makes the final, she could be up against either Kuan Choy Lin or Rebecca Chiu of Hong Kong, the Asian junior champ. In the Asian Championships' team final, Nicol beat Li Lian in four sets and beat Rebecca in the semi-final and also in the team event.
Squash World Open:
Little-known Swede stuns champ Rodney Eyles.
World champion Australia's Rodney Eyles was bundled out of the World Open Squash Championship in the second round in 61 minutes by Belgium's Stefan Casteleyn. With the win, Stefan, who has never got through the qualifying competition before, is ranked 21 in the world since Monday. He moves on to play Chris Walker of England, now ranked 12th.
Swimming:
TASA see Torlap as hope for swimming gold medals.
The Thailand Amateur Swimming Association (Tasa) sees possibilities with Torlarp Setthasothorn who has shown brilliant performance during training. Torlarp is the quadruple gold winner at last year's Jakarta SEA Games.
Swimming association chief Kamol Saenissara is making a modest prediction of one gold in the 1,500 m freestyle from Torlap. However if Torlarp maintains his form there is hope for the 400 m freestyle event as well.
Thailand's other strong conteders are Ratthapong Sirisanont and youthful Praphalsai (Wean) Minpraphal. The latter, who won five golds at the Chiang Mai SEA Games and none at last year's Jakarta SEA Games, has been slotted in five events. Praphalsai and another, Pailin Techakritteenant, are the most highly regarded female swimmers in Thailand. Thailand is also hoping for a medal in the women 4x200m freestyle.
Swimming:
Thompson sets world record in the 100m butterfly.
Jenny Thompson, not stopping at the five Olympic gold medals she already owns, set a world record in the 100m butterfly and an American record in the 50m freestyle at the FINA World Cup swimming meet yesterday.
Thompson shattered her own short course world record in the 100m butterfly with a stunning time of 56.90 seconds. The previous best of 57.79 was set at the 1997short course world championships in Gothenburg, Sweden. Her teammate Ashley Tappin finishing a very distant second in 59.11.
Six events later, she set an American record in the 50m freestyle, clocking 24.56 seconds. That broke another mark that had already belonged to her -- 24.78 set at that same meet in Sweden.
Lawn Tennis:
Thailand hoping for one gold.
Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand secretary-general, Wichar Siritham said that said top local juniors Danai and Orawan, who have had an outstanding year on the Asian tennis circuit, are very likely to back up Thailand's top players Paradorn Srichaphan and Tamarine Tanasugarn, thus depriving veteran Narathorn Srichaphan and Suvimol Duangchan.
Thailand's greatest hope for a tennis gold medal is Tamarine. The Thai ace, originally scheduled to compete in the team event, singles, and doubles, might skip the doubles in order to play in the mixed-doubles with veteran Vittaya Samrej. Regarding Tamarine's singles chances after her Volvo Open quarter-final loss to Chinese ace Fang Li, Wichar said he still believed she is the singles favourite. He said her coach
Panomkorn Pladchuanil is correcting her game and planning a way to beat the Chinese player.
Of the Men team, Paradorn is another Asiad medla favorite. "If he can lift the percentage of his first serves, and stop making easy errors, he could seriously trouble his rivals," Wichar said.
Tennis:
Indian Tennis Federation Flash Sports Update.
Nirupama Vaidyanthan registered her best-ever result in the professional circuit, getting past brittle minded France’s Carolina Jagienak in three sets. However, Sai Jayalakshmy botched several chances and lost to Loma Woodroffe, while Manisha Malhotra was no match for Amanda Hopmans.
Results (Singles PQF): Jolene Watanabe b Fruzsina Siklosi 4-6, 6-3, 6-4; Tina Krizan b Abigail Tordoff 6-1, 6-1; Tithiana Garbin b Tomoe Hotta 6-1, 6-2; Miriam Schnitzer b Hira Rosen 6-3, 6-2; Nirupama Vaidyanathan b Carolina Jagienak 0-6, 6-1, 6-3; Rika Hiraki b Lenka Cenkova 6-4, 6-4; Loma Woodroffe b Sai Jayalakshmy 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (7-2); Amanda Hopmans b Manisha Malhotra 6-2, 6-2.
Doubles: Hisamatsu and Kuki b Manisha Malhotra and Nirupama 7-6 (7-5), 6-4;; Hiraki and Louise Fleming b Schnitzer and Watanabe 6-2, 3-6, 6-3; Krizan and Kschwendt b Hotta and Otakeyama 6-2, 7-6 (7-4).
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