DAGOC's media services come in for global praise

The news agencies were part of the over 1,700 journalists and photographers from all over the world covering the 15th Asian Games along with 4,450 broadcasters. The 15th Asian Games Information Services supplied the media journalists with quotes from players, background information and real time results on a 24 hour basis.

"I usually wouldn't pass comment, but in this case I have to say the content is certainly superior to what we experienced at the last Asian Games and at the Athens Olympics," said John Pye, AP Games Desk Editor. "The information has been reliable and timely, which is of primary importance given our time and staff constraints."

"The Facts and Figures section was particularly useful and the athlete biographies were a lot more comprehensive than in previous events. The flash quotes also were an improvement," continued Pye. "It's quite obvious that it is running along the operational lines of an organized news agency and seems to have an appropriate chain of decision makers. That gives me confidence when using the information where sometimes I've been reluctant in the past."

Martin Parry, the Asia-Pacific Sports Editor for AFP, also took a moment to extend "a word of praise for the Games Information Service, which has been far superior to similar operations at major sporting events in the past."

"The AFP has found the flash quotes, particularly, to be much more tailored to what journalists actually need. So often in the past, quotes have been dull and unusable, which defeats the purpose of having an Information Service," said Parry. "I think it reflects the fact that for a change there are experienced journalists in charge of the operation instead of those who have little idea of how the media works and what the media requires. A similar service, or better, to one we received in Doha should be the benchmark [for future sporting events]."