MALAYSIA AIMS TO BECOME BEST IODA WSC HOST

LANGKAWI (Malaysia), Dec 22 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is confident of becoming
one of the best host for IODA World Sailing Championship (WSC) at National
Yachting Training Complex here from Dec 28-Jan 8 2011.

Malaysian Yachting Association (MYA) general manager Mohd Afendy Abdullah
said about RM3 million (US$1=RM3.13) was spent on preparation including turning
a hotel into a sports village.

"We are ready to host the world's biggest sailing event which is just one
week away," he told Bernama here Wednesday.

He said 57 countries have confirmed participation including Brazil, Peru,
Italy, Turkey, United Kingdom, Germany, Finland, Norway, Australia, New
Zealand, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia.

Some 252 sailors would be competing in the championship with each country
represented by five sailors.

-- BERNAMA