Sensational outing: The national jubilation and pride evident during the Games.

       THE 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games was a roaring success on and off the battleground.

       Malaysia performed above expectations when they hauled 10-14-12 medals to finish fourth after Australia, England and Canada.

       It was Malaysia’s best performance in the Games’ history.

       The 10 golds won by Malaysia were “awesome”, said sports editor Rajes Paul.

       She covered a number of matches but what stood out in her memory was the gymnastics.

       “It was held at the Axiata Arena, then known as Putra Stadium. We fired blanks in the artistic events and the hope rested on the rhythmic girls – Thye Chee Kiat, Carolyn Au Yong, El-Regina Tajuddin and Sarina Sundara Rajah. They did the unthinkable in beating Canada for the gold. The stadium erupted in joy, the cheering of thousands of spectators was so loud, we could not hear each other.”

       “We sang the national anthem during the medal ceremony, and never felt so proud. It was an electrifying atmosphere,” she recalled.

       The media, she said, scrambled to interview the golden girls.

       Looking back, Rajes said she had just joined The Star a year earlier so it was her first big Games.

       STAR60 color“We had the biggest sports team under my former boss Ng Weng Tuck to cover the event. We were based at the Mint Hotel. As a rookie, everything was new to me. It was exciting to see the top athletes gather in KL. I enjoyed the carnival atmosphere and the great sports action. The working hours were crazy and running around was tiring but it was a great experience.”

       As for the mascot Wira, she said: “Choosing the orang utan as a mascot was genius. They were very popular, especially with children. Wira was everywhere! The souvenir mascots sold like hot cakes.”

       One of Rajes’ assignments was to interview the people behind the mascot.

       “It’s not easy to be one. They sweat buckets inside the costume, especially in Malaysian weather but most of the volunteers were sporting. They would be up on their feet all day, greeting and entertaining people, and having their photographs taken. Their presence truly enhanced the spirit of the Games.”

       Kuala Lumpur had edged out Adelaide to win the host job in 1992 and the Jaya 98 project was started in 1994.

       The Bukit Jalil Sports Complex was built for the Games, which included the National Sports Council and National Sports Institute.

       Malaysia set a new milestone when they housed 3,638 athletes from 69 countries – making it the second biggest sporting event in the world then.

       Team sports were introduced for the first time at the Games with rugby, cricket, field hockey and netball making their debut.

       Malaysia was the first Asian country to host the Games.

       Medal winners were bowlers Kenny Ang and Ben Heng who struck the first gold in the men’s doubles.

       Ang went on to add a second in the men’s singles two days later.

       Others who triumphed were Hidayat Hamidon (weightlifting); Nurul Huda Baharin (shooting); Sapok Biki (boxing); for badminton, Wong Choong Hann (men’s singles); Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah (men’s doubles); and, in athletics, G. Saravanan. There was also a first with the men’s hockey team earning a silver.

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