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Hotel puts up display of footb

KUALA LUMPUR: Olympic Sports Hotel is a treasure trove for all World Cup fans.

The sports-themed hotel at Wisma OCM, here is displaying authentic sporting memorabilia and some replica World Cup items.

Among the items on display are the autographed jerseys from Argentina's Osvaldo Ardiles, Brazil's Ronaldo, Germany's Jurgen Klinsmann.

Hotel director Ow Soon Kooi said the items had been on display for the past three weeks.

"A friend of mine brought up the idea about three months ago and we decided to decorating the hotel with World Cup memorabilia in conjunction with the World Cup," said Ow, a former national hockey captain.

"We have on display some of the most valuable World Cup collector's items dating back from the 1960s."

Patrons will be greeted by pictures of Diego Maradona, including one on the player's infamous "Hand of God" goal in the 1986 World Cup, upon entering the hotel lobby.

"We managed to get these exhibits from their owners. It will be on display even after the World Cup.

"The most valuable item here is a framed autographed photo of Pele. The Brazilian is my favourite football player."

Also on display are memorabilia of two German football greats: the boots of Franz Beckenbauer, who won the World Cup both as a player (1974) and coach (1990) and the gloves of Oliver Kahn, which he used in the 1994 World Cup.

Football fans can watch the World Cup matches live at its cafe, which will be operating extended hours throughout the tournament.

"The hotel caters not only to athletes but the public and tourists.

"Among our recent guests were the officials from the Asian Youth Volleyball tournament as well as foreign media representatives covering the Thomas/Uber Cup Finals," said Ow.

Another unique feature of the Olympic Sports Hotel are the conference rooms dedicated to former local sports personalities such as the late Ho Koh Chye, a former national hockey goalkeeper, and football legend, Mokhtar Dahari.