While Malaysia enjoys thumbing its nose at its former colonial master, Britain, everyone knows that national face is on the line in this sporting gathering of the remnants of empire. Malaysia may not have great athletes, but it does know how to organize great events. Even so, getting flat-footed bureaucracies to act nimbly and in synch is no easy matter. So it helps to put the right person in charge. Sukom Ninety Eight, the state-owned company set up to organize the Games, is headed by Hashim Ali, a retired general with a reputation for getting things done.
Money seems to be no object.
Sukom s staff of 140 full-time workers, some of whom can already be seen flashing around the capital in cars bearing customized plates, will swell to 300 by the time the Games kick off. Some 18,000 to 20,000 volunteers are also being recruited. Some are already undergoing training on everything from the history of the Commonwealth Games to the importance of body language. With any luck, this should be enough manpower to keep the gremlins at bay. All Rights Reserved.