By Patwant Singh, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 28 June 2009 2149 hrs
Malaysia not sending rest of athletes to AYGSINGAPORE: Malaysia is not sending the rest of its athletes to the Asian Youth Games (AYG) in Singapore.
The Olympic Council of Malaysia broke the news on Saturday evening, said Singapore organisers.
A statement by the Olympic Council of Malaysia, however, added that two members of the Malaysian sailing team who are already in Singapore will continue to participate in the AYG.
The Malaysian football team has returned to Malaysia after losing in the preliminary rounds.
That means 59 athletes from Malaysia will miss the competition.
Recent reports said Malaysia has banned athletes from travelling to regional meetings due to the H1N1 flu outbreak.
Singapore organisers added that no other National Olympic Committees have stopped their athletes from attending the Games and that the Games will continue as almost all the teams have arrived over the last two days.
When asked about Malaysia's decision, Singapore's Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sport, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, said: "I wouldn't use the word 'disappointed'. I understand, you know, all of us are wrestling with this (H1N1) problem and there is no perfect answer.
"There is no right or wrong, only time will tell. And it is important that every government minister makes a decision in the best interest of his or her country."
- CNA/ir
From ChannelNewsAsia.com; see the source article here.
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