Asiad: Media Not Allowed to Enter Games Village in Palembang

From R. Vikneswaran  PALEMBANG, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- The press corps covering the Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games 2018 are barred from entering the Games Village. This has never happened before during other major meets hosted in Palembang. Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Media Operations representative for Palembang, Tony Mariadass said the decision was taken as a security measure due to the Village at the Jakabaring Sports Complex not having an international zone. However, he explained that members of the media could still get in if they received permission from their respective National Olympic Committee. "Normally the Games Village will have a small press room and  the international zone cordoned off from the accommodation facilities to facilitate family visits and allow media access to athletes. "The international zone was planned for but we do not kow why it was not done...if it is to be done now, there is not enough space. So we had to take this decision. "With their own NOC clearance, they (media) can meet up but with only their respective contingents,” he told a press conference after opening the Main Press Centre for Palembang at the Sriwijaya Promotion Center here Friday. It is the norm for the media to access the Games Village before and after the Games for their stories whereas when the competition proper starts, this is done at the venues. It is understood it is the same situation in Jakarta. Tony said the organisers were providing various facilities to the facilitate the media here but there were some minor shortcomings which could be improved upon like providing a Mixed Zone for interviews, transport an Internet speed. More that 500 media staff are expected to converge in Palembang. Meanwhile, Ihsan Zuyadi, the Media Operations Head (Palembang) for the organisers INASGOC, said many facilities were being provided so that it would be easier for the media to cover the second biggest multi-event sporting meet in the world after the Olympics. “We hope the media will be comfortable in carrying our their tasks. We will address any shortcomings to help them do their job well,” he said. (photoBERNAMA) -- BERNAMA