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mid flaws surrounding the 26th Southeast Asian Games in Palembang, South Sumatra, many delegates are praising the city’s work in presenting the biennial sporting event.

Thailand Volleyball Association vice president Sombat Kotchasit lauded the host country for organizing the Games in Palembang.

“The Games’ atmosphere was really good. The weather here is so hot, just like a sauna, but it is a common condition for beach volleyball,” Sombat said on the sidelines of beach volleyball finals at Jakabaring Sports Complex in Palembang.

Sombat said that her contingent had not had much trouble during their stay in Palembang.

“The transportation, accommodations and even the food were all okay,” Sombat said.

However, Sombat criticized noisy emcees who disturbed her players during the beach volleyball finals.

“The music was fine, but those MCs were just too loud. Our players were a bit disturbed by that,” she added.

Meanwhile, delegates from Myanmar were forgiving of Palembang’s shortcomings.

“We are now learning how they organized the matches,” said Aung Ye Tun.

Myanmar would host the Games’ next iteration, in 2013, in three cities, and feature 32 events, the delegate said. “We have decided to host the Games in Yangon and Naypyitaw, while the third city has not been determined.”

The Indonesian SEA Games Organizing Committee (INASOC) chief Rita Subowo apologized for any inconveniences experienced by delegates in Jakarta and Palembang during the Games.

“We tried our best to present the Games well … The Games are not just about the medal tally, but are also about strengthening our friendship with ASEAN countries,” Rita told a press conference on Monday.

Malaysia’s Youth and Sports Minister Dato’ Sri Ahmad Shabery supported organizers in Palembang over the complaints of several delegates.

“We never saw the delays or down sides as bad things; instead, we supported them,” the minister said during a visit to the main press center recently. Shabery said he respected Indonesia’s effort to host the 45 events and 42 sports of this year’s Games in two cities.

It was no easy thing to send a contingent to a multi-event sporting show in two cities separated by several hundred kilometers, he added.

Nevertheless, Shabery said admired Indonesia’s decision to co-host the Games in Palembang, despite the superior facilities of Jakarta.