ASIAN GAMES DISPUTE

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29909, 24 August 1962, Page 17

ASIAN GAMES DISPUTE

Discussions Proceeding

(N.Z.P. A.-Reuter—Copyright) DJAKARTA, Aug. 23.

The fate of the fourth Asian Games was in the balance today after the Indonesian representatives on the Games’ executive council failed to turn up for a meeting. Other councillors adjourned the meeting and said it was now uncertain what would happen. They said that no reply had been received to the request from the Games executive committee that facilities be granted for the participation of Formosa and Israel. The Indonesian representatives are the Sultan of Jugdjakarta (president) and Mr Maldi. secretary-treasurer of the executive committee. Mr Sondhi, of India, a vicepresident of the executive committee, announced that he had been asked to Inform the Council that there would be some delay in the president’s arrival and "taking the chair at the meeting. Mr de Sales, of Hong Kong, said that in matters of such imnortance a decision must be taken before the opening ceremony tomorrow. He appealed to delegates to be sporting.

Mr Sondhi said delicate discussions were going on and he also appealed to delegates not to embarrass either side.

On the conference table placards were set out for Formosa and Israel, although no delegati from either country was present. Report Incorrect

The chancellor of the International Olympic Committee (Mr Otto Mayer) said in "Lausanne (Switzerland) today that reports that the 1.0. C. had withdrawn recognition of the Asian Games were incorrect. Mr Mayer said I O.C. patronage for the Games had not been requested and recognition was thus not involved.

But the 1.0 C. had prohibited the hoisting of the Olympic flag at the Games because visas had been denied to certain delegations which would normally have taken part.