KUALA LUMPUR Malaysia is willing to host the 2002 Asian Games if the South Korean city of Pusan is not able to do so, youth and Sports Minister Hishammuddin Hussein was quoted as saying.
"We will consider it if the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is prepared to meet our conditions," Bernama quoted him as saying late on Friday.
The main condition, Hishammuddin said, was that South Korea should give up their rights of hosting the event on their own free will and not forced to do so by others.
"What is important is that we don't want any misunderstanding with South Korea in this matter," he said.
Kuala Lumpur, along with Doha city in Qatar, Hong Kong and New Delhi, are bidding for the 2006 Asian Games.
Pusan appeared to be facing problems fulfilling its pledges in organizing the event, including offering free stay and air tickets to all athletes and delegates during the games.
Hishammuddin said the OCA would meet next month to decide on Pusan's position and only then would Kuala Lumpur know whether it should offer itself as hosts or not.
New Delhi, which hosted the 1982 Asian Games, is also said to be keen to take over the 2002 games if offered.
(Reuter)