Msiana

Kuala Lumpur 98

XVI Commonwealth Games

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Once every four years, between the Summer Olympics, sportsmen and sportswomen from six regions of the Commonwealth Games Federation, Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Europe and Oceania, come together for ten days to compete in the Commonwealth Games.

Second only to the Olympic Games for international stature and recognition, the Games was first held as the British Empire Games in Hamilton, Canada in 1930. The name was then changed to the

`British Empire and Commonwealth Games' and subsequently to the `British Commonwealth Games' before it was finally called the`Commonwealth Games' in 1978.

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.The very first mission statement reads "It (The Games) will be designed on the Olympic model, both in general construction and its stern definition of the amateur. But the Games will be very different, free from both the excessive stimulus and the babble of the international stadium. They should be merrier and less stern, and will substitute the stimulus of novel adventure for the presence of international rivalry".

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The Commonwealth Games is unique because it exists by virtue of its historical background and shared colonial experience. Other international Games such as the Asian Games, Winter Olympics and the Pan- American Games are instituted on the premise of their geographical locations or meteorological characteristics.

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The XVI Commonwealth Games will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 11 to 21 September 1998. This will be the first time that the competition is held in Asia. It will also be the first time that team sports such as rugby, cricket, women's field hockey and women's netball, are included.

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Some 6,000 athletes and officials from approximately 70 countries are expected to converge in Kuala Lumpur for the Games, a far cry from the first Games which had 450 participants from 11 countries.

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There will be a total of 15 types of sports comprising 11 individual sports and four team sports, including athletics, badminton, boxing, cricket, cycling, gymnastics, hockey, lawn bowls, netball, rugby, shooting, squash, swimming, ten pin bowling and weightlifting.

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On 21st December 1995, Royal Selangor International was appointed Official Supplier of Medals and Official Licensee for Pewter for the Kuala Lumpur 98 Games. To date, over 70 different pewter commemoratives ranging from badges, trinket boxes to tankards, photoframes and desk accessories are now available for those looking for memorabilia of the Games.

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Incorporated into the designs are the Games signature, a stylized bunga raya (hibiscus) which is the national flower of Malaysia and the Games mascot, Wira, an endearing portrayal of the orang utan. Highly intelligent and agile, the orang utan characterizes the charm and spirit of the Games.

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Come September 1998, the Games will launch KL city into an international rendevouz of athletes, sports enthusiasts and fans. It promises to be a most memorable and successful event. And Royal Selangor has a role to play to support the nation's ambition to make this the most magnificent one ever.

	Kuala Lumpur 98
	XVI Commonwealth Games . Once every four years, between the Summer Olympics, sportsmen and sportswomen from six regions of the Commonwealth Games Federation, Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Europe and Oceania, come together for ten days to compete in the Commonwealth Games. Second only to the Olympic Games for international stature and recognition, the Games was first held as the British Empire Games in Hamilton, Canada in 1930. The name was then changed to the `British Empire and Commonwealth Games' and subsequently to the `British Commonwealth Games' before it was finally called the`Commonwealth Games' in 1978. .
	.The very first mission statement reads "It (The Games) will be designed on the Olympic model, both in general construction and its stern definition of the amateur. But the Games will be very different, free from both the excessive stimulus and the babble of the international stadium. They should be merrier and less stern, and will substitute the stimulus of novel adventure for the presence of international rivalry". . The Commonwealth Games is unique because it exists by virtue of its historical background and shared colonial experience. Other international Games such as the Asian Games, Winter Olympics and the Pan- American Games are instituted on the premise of their geographical locations or meteorological characteristics. .
	The XVI Commonwealth Games will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 11 to 21 September 1998. This will be the first time that the competition is held in Asia. It will also be the first time that team sports such as rugby, cricket, women's field hockey and women's netball, are included. .
	Some 6,000 athletes and officials from approximately 70 countries are expected to converge in Kuala Lumpur for the Games, a far cry from the first Games which had 450 participants from 11 countries. . There will be a total of 15 types of sports comprising 11 individual sports and four team sports, including athletics, badminton, boxing, cricket, cycling, gymnastics, hockey, lawn bowls, netball, rugby, shooting, squash, swimming, ten pin bowling and weightlifting. .
	On 21st December 1995, Royal Selangor International was appointed Official Supplier of Medals and Official Licensee for Pewter for the Kuala Lumpur 98 Games. To date, over 70 different pewter commemoratives ranging from badges, trinket boxes to tankards, photoframes and desk accessories are now available for those looking for memorabilia of the Games. .
	Incorporated into the designs are the Games signature, a stylized bunga raya (hibiscus) which is the national flower of Malaysia and the Games mascot, Wira, an endearing portrayal of the orang utan. Highly intelligent and agile, the orang utan characterizes the charm and spirit of the Games. . Come September 1998, the Games will launch KL city into an international rendevouz of athletes, sports enthusiasts and fans. It promises to be a most memorable and successful event. And Royal Selangor has a role to play to support the nation's ambition to make this the most magnificent one ever.