Politics At Asian Games

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29912, 28 August 1962, Page 15

Politics At Asian Games

(N.Z.P^A.-Reuter—Copyright) DJAKARTA. August 27 Political controversy rather than the recordbreaking achievements of athletes continued to be the major subject of conversation today as spectators were still not absolutely sure whether what they were watching was the Asian Games or not. Two Internationa] controlling bodies have already withdrawn recognition from their events and more are understood to be considering the same move. Five members of the executive committee of the Asian Games Federation have announced in a press statement thht they do not consider the present competitions to be “the Fourth Asian Games” because of the exclusion of Taiwan and Israel. But the fact remains that President Soekarno last Friday formally proclaimed: "I declare open the Asian Games of Djakarta celebrating the fourth Gaines of Asia" and until the Federation Council decrees otherwise

that :s what they are. Those members of the executive committee who issued the statement were: Mr Sondhi, of India, a vicepresident; Mr ' Fumio Takashima, of Japan; Mr A. O. de Sales, of Hong Kong; Mr Antonio de les Alas, of the Philippines. Mr Sondhi who handed out the statement said that a further member of the committee, Mr Farouq Siraji, of Afghanistan, who could not attend the meeting said he agreed with its dec&ion. The majority of members of the council are understood to be in favour of calling it an international meeting but not one o( them knows when the Indonesian president, the Sultan of Jogjakarta, will reconveen the meeting which was adjourned at 5 a.m. local time las Friday—lo hour* before the opening ceremony —without reaUy resolving the question of the exclusion of Taiwan and Israel by Indonesia.

The statement Issued by Mr Sondhi and signed by the others, said: “It is agreed in the face of the exclusion of Tai-wan and Israel that the

present games would not be called the- Fourth Asian Games and that the present competitions may be carried on, if so desired, under a different name."