‘What can I do, shoot him?’ – the late A de O Sales was a bureaucrat with a sharp wit and respected by his subordinates
- As Commonwealth Games Federation president, Sales had international media in fits of laughter with his straight-faced banter
- Sales exuded an air of authority with those working for him ensuring they would never fall out of line
The journalists at the 1994 Commonwealth Games were chuckling as they left a press conference chaired by Hong Kong’s A de O Sales.
The veteran sports leader, who died aged 100 in Hong Kong on Friday, was acting in his capacity as president of the Commonwealth Games Federation and he was in the firing line. The Victoria, Canada edition of the Games included Paralympic athletes vying for medals for the first time, with their events running side-by-side with able-bodied athletes.
However, one of Sales’ vice-presidents, senior Australian official Arthur Tunstall, had criticised their presence, saying they were an “embarrassment” and should have their own Games. It prompted a media and public backlash and Sales was under fire for refusing to take action.
Sales was bombarded by questions from the world’s media and finally said in his usual stoic manner: “What would you like me to do? Shoot him?” before going on to criticise Tunstall’s comments.
His quip snapped the tension as laughter filled the press conference room. The journalists were still raving on about Sales even after returning to the Main Press Centre.