Official Newsletter of the Olympic Council of Asia
Edition 55 - December 2021
EVER ONWARD GENERAL ASSEMBLY APPROVES TWO HOST CITIES
DUBAI 2021 NEWS AND PHOTO GALLERY OCA GAMES UPDATE INSIDE THE OCA
Contents
Inside Sporting Asia Edition 55 – December 2021
22
3 4–9
26 28 33
Acting President’s Message NOC News in Pictures
10 – 15
19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022
16 – 18
Inside the OCA
19 – 22
OCA General Assembly Dubai 2021
23 – 25
Games Update
26 – 29
Women in Sport
30 – 31
ANOC General Assembly/Awards
32 – 35
Obituary
36 – 37
News in Brief
38 – 39
OCA Sports Diary
37
40
Hangzhou Asian Games
OCA Sponsors’ Club
*
Page 02
Acting President’s Message
Sporting Asia is the official newsletter of the Olympic Council of Asia, published quarterly. Executive Editor / Director General Husain Al-Musallam husain@ocasia.org Director, Int’l & NOC Relations Vinod Tiwari vinod@ocasia.org Director, Asian Games Department Haider A. Farman haider@ocasia.org Editor Jeremy Walker jeremy@ocasia.org Executive Secretary Nayaf Sraj nayaf@ocasia.org Media Manager Jeans Zhou Jian jeans@ocasia.org Olympic Council of Asia PO Box 6706, Hawalli Zip Code 32042 Kuwait Telephone: +965 22274277 - 88 Fax: +965 22274280 - 90 Email: info@ocasia.org Website: www.ocasia.org
Front Cover: OCA Acting President Raja Randhir Singh chaired the 40th General Assembly in Dubai. Two host cities were approved – Phnom Penh, Cambodia for the 2029 Asian Youth Games and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games.
ALL ROADS LEAD TO HANGZHOU ASIAN GAMES 2022
A
s Acting President of the OCA, it gives me great pleasure to offer this welcome address to the 55th edition of our official newsletter, Sporting Asia. We have come to the end of another difficult year – the second successive year in which the sports calendar has been decimated by the global pandemic. However, there are positive signs that the sports world is returning to some kind of normality with many events set for next year. The highlight for the OCA, of course, is our 19th Asian Games in the beautiful city of Hangzhou next September. The organising committee HAGOC has done a remarkable job in keeping all the preparations on track in such difficult circumstances. We, the OCA, have not been able to visit Hangzhou for two years, but we have been in constant communication with HAGOC and working together to address and resolve all issues in order to prepare the best environment for our athletes. I would like to thank our NOCs for their dedication and support in making sure that the build-up to the 19th Asian Games is as smooth as possible. It is a huge task to organise an international multi-sport event of this magnitude, and we must all play our part in contributing to a successful Asian Games and presenting to the Olympic
world a vibrant and unified sporting continent. We also have the Asian Youth Games in Shantou, China next December, so our work will continue throughout the year. This has been a tough time for all of us, and I would like to pay tribute to all our NOCs and Games Organising Committees for your patience and understanding as we have been forced to postpone and rearrange our various games. I firmly believe that the end is in sight in terms of the pandemic, and that a sports celebration will be held next September. See you in Hangzhou 2022!
Raja Randhir Singh Acting President, Olympic Council of Asia
Photos: Kim Min Jae, OCA
Page 03
NOC News in Pictures
TEAM Japan and the Japanese Paralympic Committee unveiled the official uniforms for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics at a ceremony on October 27. Athletes took part in the function in-person and on-line to share their enthusiasm for the uniforms and for competing in Beijing. (Photo: Japan Olympic Team)
UNITED Arab Emirates NOC held a forum at the Grand Hyatt Dubai for candidates nominated by national sports federations for qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The federations were: rugby, shooting, weightlifting, boxing, fencing, equestrian, cycling, swimming, sailing and kayaking. (Photo: https://en.uaenoc.ae)
TAJIKISTAN NOC, in collaboration with Olympic Solidarity, conducted a technical course for 15 handball coaches in Dushanbe from October 25-31. On the last day, NOC Secretary General Abdullozoda Muhammadsho made a report on anti-doping. Participants received a certificate from the IOC, NOC and the International Handball Federation. (www.olympic.tj)
YEMEN Olympic Committee supported a three-day training course for advanced taekwondo trainers held in cooperation with the Yemen Taekwondo Federation at the Olympic Centre from September 26-28. A total of 20 taekwondo trainers attended the course. (Photo: @yemnoc)
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NOC News in Pictures
BHUTAN Olympic Committee conducted the General Fitness Test (Administrators Course) at the Bebena Sports Complex on October 25-29 with support from Olympic Solidarity. This was the first sports science initiative held by the BOC and it was attended by national coaches of the National Sports Federations and Sports Associations.
IRAQ NOC President Raad Hammoudi (right) welcomed the President of Mustansiriyah University, Professor Hameed Fadhil Al-Temimi, to the NOC offices in Baghdad on November 1 to discuss ways of strengthening the relationship between the two institutions and to develop sports and education in Iraq.
(Bhutan Olympic Committee Facebook)
(Photo:@nociraq)
HANGZHOU 2022 sent official invitations and souvenir gift packages to the OCA’s 45 NOCs to attend the 19th Asian Games. The Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Macau, China was the first to acknowledge receipt of the invitation through the Vice President, Pun Weng Kun, who is a member of the OCA Sport for All Committee.
BAHRAIN Olympic Committee President His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa (left) signed a mutual cooperation agreement for sports exchange and development with the President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee, His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal Al Saud, on the sidelines of the ANOC General Assembly in Crete, Greece on October 25. (Photo: @bahrainolympic) Page 05
NOC News in Pictures
QATAR Olympic Committee signed a Memorandum of Understanding for sports development with Qatar Armed Forces. The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, H.E. Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah, and the QOC President, H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani. The MoU was signed by the QOC Secretary General, H.E. Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, and the President of the Military Sports Association, Brigadier-General Yousef Desmal Al-Kuwari. (https://www.olympic.qa)
PHILIPPINES NOC reports that work is in full swing on the 558-million Peso (11.2 million USD) Phase 1 of the National Academy of Sports at New Clark City in Tarlac province. Phase 1 will be completed in February 2022. The academy offers training and study for talented young athletes on a residential scholarship and is a joint undertaking between the Bases Conversion Development Authority, Department of Education and the government’s Philippine Sports Commission. (Photo: Manila Standard).
OMAN Olympic Committee organised a clean-up campaign on October 15 for communities affected by Cyclone Shaheen. Over 350 people volunteered their services including OOC and government officials, directors and members of sports federations, youth and sports clubs and athletes. (Photo: www.ooc.om) Page 06
IRAN NOC has selected Peyman Fakhri, Director of the NOC National Teams’ Monitoring Centre, as Chef de Mission for the Iranian delegation at the Hangzhou Asian Games 2022. He is pictured (right) with the President of the NOC, Dr. Seyed Reza Salehi Amiri. (www.olympic.ir)
NOC News in Pictures
TIMOR Leste NOC inaugurated its first Athletes’ Commission for the term 2021-2025 at a General Assembly in Dili on October 23: Chair, Francelina “Anche” Marques Cabral (cycling); Vice Chair, Martinho F. de Araujo (weightlifting); Secretary, Mariana Dias Ximenes (athletics). Members (10): Imelda Felicyta Xemenes Belo, Jose Joao da Silva Viegas, Aguida Fatima Amaral, Juventina Napoleao, Augusto Ramos Soares, Felisberto de Deus, Victor Ramos, Calisto da Costa, Nelia Martins and Gil Trindade da Conceicao. (Photo: Laurentino Guterres)
SRI Lanka NOC President Suresh Subramaniam met with his counterparts in Kosovo and France on a visit to both countries to discuss the strengthening of ties and bilateral cooperation. He is pictured here with the President of Kosovo NOC, Ismet Krasniqi, at the KOC headquarters in Pristina. (Photo: NOC Sri Lanka)
CAMBODIA NOC President Dr Thong Khon believes the 10-minute cultural performance planned for the closing ceremony of the 31st South East Asian (SEA) Games in Hanoi next May will perfectly exhibit the beauty and rich history of the “Kingdom of Wonder” ahead of Phnom Penh’s hosting of the 32nd SEA Games in May 2023. (Photo: @2023seagames)
MALDIVES Olympic Committee has appointed Hussain Jawaz (right) as Chef de Mission for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022. He is General Secretary of the Football Association of Maldives and his commitment to Maldives NOC and the sports industry goes back a long way. (Photo: @OlympicMDV)
PALESTINE Olympic Committee President Maj. Gen. Jibril Rajoub (right) welcomed the Consul General of Greece in Jerusalem, Evangelos Vlioras, to the NOC HQ on October 18 to discuss bilateral sports cooperation and the development of sports associations, organisations and clubs. (Photo: @PalOlympic)
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NOC News in Pictures
OLYMPIC Council of Malaysia Vice President Dato’ Shahrul Zaman Yahya (right), who is also President of the Malaysia Rugby Union, has been appointed Chef de Mission of the Malaysian contingent for the XXII Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England from July 28 to August 8, 2022. (Photo: @Olympic.Council.Malaysia) PAKISTAN Olympic Association President Lt. Gen (R) Syed Arif Hasan called on H.E. Mr. Nong Rong, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Pakistan, at the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad on October 8 to discuss preparations for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing next February. (Photo: www. nocpakistan.org)
OLYMPIC Voice of Hong Kong Issue 19 – the official newsletter of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China – was published on October 29. The e-version can be downloaded from the website https://www.hkolympic.org. Page 08
ON National Sports Day, August 29, the Indian Olympic Association greeted everyone in the Olympic sports movement with the following message: “We salute the undying spirit of each athlete driven by their ambition to represent India, officials and volunteers who have dedicated their lifetime in service of sports, our proud partners and every Indian that cheers for #TeamIndiaIN.” (Photo: Team India Facebook)
NOC News in Pictures
IOC President Thomas Bach, accompanied by IOC Member Princess Reema Bandar Al Saud, welcomed a delegation from the Saudi Arabian NOC led by its President, Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki Al-Faisal Al Saud, at Olympic House. Together, they discussed various topics of mutual interest, in particular the great progress of sport for girls and women in Saudi Arabia. (www.ioc.org)
SINGAPORE National Olympic Council, whose President is Mr. Tan Chuan-Jin (pictured), elected Dr Hing Siong Chen, Dr Koh Koon Teck and Dr Patrick Liew as national sports association (NSA) representatives at its Annual General Meeting on September 29. They will serve from 2021 to 2023. Mr Lee Wung Yew was elected to serve a one-year term as Treasurer. The online AGM was attended by 197 delegates. (https://www.singaporeolympics.com)
NEPAL Olympic Committee President the Hon. Jeevan Ram Shrestha (third from left) - along with Vice Presidents Chaturananda Rajvaidya, Sunil Shrestha and Ashok Bajracharya and Secretary General Nilendra Raj Shrestha - visited the Youth and Sports Ministry to congratulate the newly appointed Minister, the Hon. Athak Maheshwor Gahatraj (third from right). (Photo: Bagmati Online Khabar)
JORDAN Olympic Committee’s efforts to create a safer environment for athletes continued with the second CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) course of the year attended by technical and administrative members from wrestling, muay thai, basketball and kickboxing. The lifesaving course was part of the Quasi Initiative under the Crown Prince Foundation and managed by the JOC. (www.joc.jo) Page 09
Hangzhou Asian Games 2022 OCA DIRECTOR GENERAL PREDICTS ‘BEST ASIAN GAMES EVER’
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he organising committee of the 19th Asian Games marked a major milestone on the road to Hangzhou 2022 with the hosting of the Chefs de Mission Seminar on September 8-9.
The CDM Seminar covered 15 major topics during two three-hour sessions and provided a platform for all NOCs to ask questions or seek clarification on certain points.
Due to the pandemic, the two-day seminar had to be conducted online, with the National Olympic Committees of Asia and Oceania tuning in to the Hangzhou HQ along with organising committees of future OCA games and other stakeholders.
In summing up the proceedings, Mr Al Musallam said: “I would like to say that the Olympic Council of Asia have full confidence in the city, the Hangzhou organising committee and the citizens of Hangzhou to conduct and stage one of the best Asian Games ever in history.
The Director General of the OCA, Husain Al Musallam, was full of praise for the preparations of the 19th Asian Games, which will run from September 10-25, 2022 in Hangzhou and five co-host cities within Zhejiang province in eastern China. “I am sure that the organising committee have done a great job in the preparation for these important games in terms of sport venues, the operation and planning for the best environment for the athletes coming from Asia and Oceania,” he said in his opening address. “In this regard I would like to thank all the members of the organising committee, the volunteers especially, for their hard work and commitment during the past difficult two years where now we see Hangzhou city ready to host the best Asian Games ever.”
“I look forward to meeting you all in exactly one year’s time to celebrate the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022. Thank you for your support for the Asian Games.”
Hangzhou 2022 leaders welcome the NOCs to the CDM Seminar.
19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 Prestige Partner
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Hangzhou Asian Games 2022
CDM Topics
NOC Sport Entry
The CDM Seminar covered 15 major topics: *sports/sports entry and doping control, *competition and training venues, *accreditation, *NOC services, *arrival and departure, *transport, freight and logistics, *protocol, *Athletes’ Village and five sub-villages, *ceremonies, *media, *ticketing, *technology, *finance/rate card, *medical, *security.
Dates for NOCs - Entry by Number: October 31 to December 31, 2021. Entry by Name: March 1 to May 31, 2022.
Co-host cities Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province, will be supported by five co-host cities staging the following sports: Tonglu (equestrian), Chun'an (triathlon, cycling, marathon swimming), Ningbo (sailing, beach volleyball), Jinhua (football, sepaktakraw) and Wenzhou (football, dragon boat).
5 million tickets The CDM Seminar heard that 5 million tickets will be available for the 600 sessions in 40 sports, 61 disciplines and 482 events in 55 competition venues and the opening and closing ceremonies. NOCs can submit ticket requests from February to May on the Client Ticket Portal (CTP) and purchase tickets via offline sales channels from June. Actual phase of ticket sales may change depending on the Covid-19 countermeasures and the progress of sales.
NOC Online Accreditation Opens, December 10, 2021; closes May 10, 2022. Pre-Delegation Registration Meetings for NOCs: May 10-30, 2022.
Asian Games Village The main Athletes’ Village will comprise 37 residential buildings ranging from 10 to 42 floors and with a capacity of 11,000 athletes and team officials. The dining hall will be open from September 3-28 and can accommodate 4,200 people at one sitting.
The AGV will include the Technical Officials Village and Media Village. It will pre-open on August 27, open officially on September 3 and close on September 28. There will be a TV and washing machine in each room. Team welcome ceremonies will be held in Flag Plaza of the International Zone of the AGV from September 3-9.
19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 Prestige Partner
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Hangzhou Asian Games 2022 HANGZHOU 2022 ATTRACTS 220,000 VOLUNTEER APPLICATIONS
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he recruitment drive for volunteers for the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 drew to a close on October 31 and attracted over 220,000 applications. According to HAGOC, college students accounted for 67 percent of the total applicants. The number of applicants who are fluent in speaking minority languages also reached over 15,000. From November 2021 to April 2022, the volunteers will be selected via online tests, onsite or remote interviews, psychological tests and English proficiency tests.
Once chosen, the volunteers will be deployed to perform 13 kinds of services to ensure the smooth running of the Games and its sideline activities. The volunteers will mainly be responsible for tasks related to welcoming and seeing-off guests, language support, concierge, personnel registration, transportation, accommodation, logistical support, media operations and spectator services. A total of 52,000 volunteers will be deployed to the main Asian Games Village in Hangzhou as well as the five co-host cities of Ningbo, Wenzhou, Huzhou, Shaoxing and Jinhua.
A volunteer shows off the distinctive uniform for Hangzhou 2022
19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 Prestige Partner
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Hangzhou Asian Games 2022
SILK ‘QIPAO’ HIGHLIGHTS HANGZHOU GLAMOUR
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n the occasion of the one-year countdown to the Asian Games on September 10, HAGOC displayed the glamorous attire for the medal bearers at the victory ceremony. The organising committee also revealed the uniforms for the flag-raising staff as well as the sports support staff. The uniforms for the medal bearers and flag raisers were designed by Wu Haiyan, a professor at the China Academy of Art, and highlight Hangzhou elements and Chinese culture. For example, the medal bearer uniform is made from silk, one of Hangzhou's specialties, and features elements of the qipao (or cheongsam), a traditional one-piece, body-hugging Chinese dress, and a skirt with a long slit at the side.
Models parade the silk qipao to be worn by the medal bearers. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]
Views of the West Lake scenic area and its landmarks such as the Leifeng Pagoda are also seen on the uniform. The wave-shaped patterns represent the city's traffic network, racing tracks and the Qiantang River, the mother river of Zhejiang.
The sports uniforms will be worn by torch bearers, escort runners, volunteers, technical officials, security personnel and venue operation team members. They also include the official uniform for technical officials and venue operation staff.
19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 Prestige Partner
Enjoy E-mobility @ the Asian Games with Geely Zhejiang Geely Holding Group was founded in 1986 and entered the automotive industry in 1997. Since then, it has grown with a dedication towards technological innovation, talent cultivation, tempering of core strengths, sustainability. Geely has developed into a global enterprise engaged in the design, R&D, production, sales, and service of vehicles, powertrains, and key components. The Group is in the midst of transforming into a global mobility technology enterprise engaged in the fields of mobility services, digital technology, financial services, education, sports, and other business. In 2019, Geely Holding Group was listed on the Fortune Global 500 for eight consecutive years with annual sales of over 2.17 million vehicles, assets totaling over 330 billion RMB, and employing more than 120,000 people. Headquartered in Hangzhou, the group owns several brands including Geely Auto, Lynk & Co, Geometry, Volvo Cars, Polestar, PROTON, Lotus, London Electric Vehicle Company, Farizon Auto, Terrafugia, CAOCAO, Qianjiang Motorcycle, Joma, Saxo Bank, Mitime Group, etc. The group and its subsidiaries have set up a global development network with R&D and design centres located around the world. The Group operates world-class manufacturing facilities in China, US, UK, Sweden, Belgium, Belarus, and Malaysia. Geely is also the largest shareholder in Volvo AB and Daimler AG. In April 2019, Geely Holding Group became the official prestige partner of the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou. Under the slogan “Enjoy E-mobility @ the Asian Games with Geely,” the Group will empower the games with green, intelligent, and humanistic technologies. Geely will develop a series of full autonomous 11 mobility solutions by 2022 to service the 19th AsianPage Games.
Hangzhou Asian Games 2022 GONGSHU CANAL SPORTS PARK PASSES ASIAN GAMES TEST
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he organising committee reported that the Gongshu Canal Asian Games Sports Park passed the acceptance criteria of HAGOC on October 31.
This marks the official completion of the new venue, which comprises the field hockey stadium and a gymnasium to host table tennis and breaking (break dancing).
The park, which opened to the public in November, is one of 55 competition venues to host the 40 sports, 61 disciplines and 482 events of the 19th Asian Games. Breaking will be making its first appearance at the Asian Games ahead of its Olympic Games debut in Paris 2024, following a successful showing at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires.
Gongshu Canal Asian Games Sports Park is located 26km from the Asian Games Village and has a land area of 467,800 sq metres and a gross floor area of 162,000 sq metres. The hockey stadium has a floor area of 8,697 sq metres and a seating capacity of 5,000, while the gymnasium has a floor area of 21,500 sq metres and a capacity of 6,500 seats.
The new sports park will host field hockey, table tennis and breaking. 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 Prestige Partner
ICBC | Integrity Leads to Prosperity Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (hereinafter referred to as ICBC) was established on 1 January 1984, through its continuous endeavor and stable development, the Bank has developed into the leading bank in the world, possessing an excellent customer base, a diversified business structure, strong innovation capabilities and market competitiveness. The Bank regards service as the very foundation to seek further development and adheres to creating value through services while providing a comprehensive range of financial products and services to 7,033 thousand corporate customers and 607 million personal customers. The Bank has been consciously integrating the social responsibilities with its development strategy and operation and management activities, and gaining wide recognition in the aspects of promoting inclusive finance, supporting targeted poverty relief, protecting environment and resources and participating in public welfare undertakings. The Bank was ranked the 1st place among the Top 1000 World Banks by The Banker, ranked 1st place in the Global 2000 listed by Forbes and topped the sub-list of commercial banks of the Global 500 in Fortune for the sixth consecutive year, and took the 1st place among the Top 500 Banking Brands of Brand Finance for the third consecutive year. 12th September 2019, ICBC has become official prestige banking service partner of the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022.
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Hangzhou Asian Games 2022
WORLD PRESS BRIEFING ATTRACTS 400 DELEGATES
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he Vice Mayor of Hangzhou, Mr Chen Weiqiang, said the two-day World Press Briefing on October 18-19 laid the foundations for robust media services and operations at Hangzhou 2022, in conjunction with the OCA. Vice Mayor Chen, who is also Deputy Secretary General of HAGOC, said: “The first World Press Briefing is a milestone event in the preparations of the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022. It is an important platform for Hangzhou to strengthen exchanges with the media and to enhance the media services ability of Hangzhou 2022. “The Press Briefing has showcased Hangzhou’s city image and will promote Hangzhou’s international profile.” The briefing was held in hybrid format with Chinese media attending in person and international media and other interested parties joining online. The briefing included site visits to the Main Media Centre, Asian Games Village and stadiums. The briefing attracted 110 media outlets and over 400 delegates online and offline, while HAGOC made presentations in 13 functional areas, including media operations, the sports programme and venue construction.
Hangzhou Vice Mayor Chen Weiqiang at the World Press Briefing.
HAGOC also received 48 questions on various topics during the two days and reached consensus with all parties on 18 points of concern. After the official press conference, HAGOC and OCA held a three-hour meeting with the exchange of information and expertise. The second World Press Briefing is scheduled for May/June 2022.
19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 Prestige Partner
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Inside the OCA ACTING PRESIDENT RAJA RANDHIR CHAIRS OCA EB MEETING
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he Acting President of the Olympic Council of Asia, Raja Randhir Singh, told a meeting of the OCA Executive Board on Monday, September 13 that he was “honoured” to take on the role in the absence of the President, HE Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah. Raja Randhir, who is an Honorary Life Vice President of the OCA and former Secretary General, chaired the EB meeting and paid a glowing tribute to Sheikh Ahmad for his work in building up the Olympic movement in Asia for 30 years.
Raja Randhir Singh is the OCA Acting President.
“I am honoured to be the Acting President of an organisation which we have all so lovingly built and nurtured, but I would like to assure you that this is an interim set-up until Sheikh Ahmad clears his name,” said Raja Randhir. “I would like to place on record my appreciation and admiration for Sheikh Ahmad in successfully leading this organisation for 30 years. Sheikh Ahmad has been responsible for the growth of the OCA and the Asian Games as one of the biggest multi-sports events in the world.” The meeting covered many topics: The OCA Director General, Husain Al Musallam, urged the 45 NOCs to select as many female athletes as possible for the 19th Asian Games in 2022 to promote women
in sport and move towards gender equity, as there was no qualification process and participation was more important than medals. The OCA Director General asked NOCs to assist in the evacuation of Afghan athletes and other members of the sports community by contacting their government agencies and issuing humanitarian visas so that Afghan people can enter their country and continue their sports career. The Director General said the OCA was in continuous dialogue with the NOC of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea following their IOC suspension so that Pyongyang could still send athletes to international events such as the Olympic Games, Asian Games, World Championships and Asian Championships.
FINA HONOUR: The OCA Executive Board warmly congratulated the Director General, Husain Al Musallam, on his election as FINA President on June 5, 2021 – the first president from Asia in the swimming governing body’s history going back to 1908. Captain Husain was first elected to the FINA Bureau in 1996 and was First Vice President under Dr Julio C. Maglione, FINA President since 2009. (Photo: FINA)
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Inside the OCA
OCA, IOC CONDUCT JOINT WEBINAR ON PMC
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he OCA stepped up its efforts to tackle the threat of competition manipulation by holding a joint webinar with the IOC on Wednesday, September 29. The webinar included presentations from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), INTERPOL and the Council of Europe. The OCA was represented by the Head of the Athletes Development Department and Special Projects, Tony Tarraf, and the IOC by the Olympic Movement Unit on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions (OM Unit PMC). The 150 participants included delegates from Asia’s 45 NOCs, national sports federations, government representatives and IOC members in Asia. OCA Director General Husain Al Musallam said the OCA had been working closely with the IOC for several months and had activated the process and adopted the rules of the IOC code on May 7, 2021. “The OCA is always at your disposal, with the IOC, working together to help you, as NOCs, to start the activation process and to fight together against the manipulation of competition,” he said.
IOC Vice President Ng Ser Miang says no sport is immune from the threat of competition manipulation. (Photo: Facebook) IOC Vice President Ng Ser Miang of Singapore added: “The phenomenon of competition manipulation is a very significant threat for the integrity and credibility of sports competitions. No country and no sport can be immune from this threat. We are very happy to note that the Olympic Council of Asia has adopted this code since May this year.”
OCA SIGNS MOU FOR ASIAN OLYMPIC ACADEMY
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he OCA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with two partners for the establishment of an Asian Olympic Academy in Korea.
The grand opening of the academy at Kookmin University is set for March 2023 and there are plans for the academy to have its own building on campus in 2025.
The signing ceremony was held at the OCA HQ in Kuwait on Saturday, October 9 and also involved the Seoul-based International Sport Strategy Foundation (ISF) and the prestigious Kookmin University, which is also based in Seoul. The Asian Olympic Academy will promote education within the Asian Olympic movement and benefit the continent through this academic initiative. The details of the courses as well as the selection process of the candidates are being worked out and will be announced by the end of the year. IOC Member Ryu Seung-min (pictured left), who is Chair of the OCA Entourage Committee and an OCA Executive Board member, is President of the ISF.
The signing ceremony in Kuwait. Page 17
Inside the OCA OCA CULTURE COMMITTEE DISCUSSES DIGITAL DIVERSIFICATION
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he OCA Culture Committee met online on Wednesday, September 29, under the leadership of Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, IOC Member from Thailand.
Other agenda items included a proposal, from the Chair, to establish an Asian Games Virtual Museum to pass on the culture, heritage and history of the Games.
The meeting heard updates from OCA HQ on the various multi-sport games in 2022 and 2023 and also received the news that the Asian Games Festival planned for Hangzhou 2022 had been cancelled due to the pandemic and ensuing social restrictions.
Mrs Khunying Patama, who is also Chair of the IOC Culture and Olympic Heritage Commission, thanked the members for their input and said there were several ideas to propose to the OCA.
The Culture Committee was hoping to launch an ambitious new initiative involving a cultural festival with traditional song and dance, food and fashion, and a sports expo to run alongside the Asian Games next September and highlight the rich culture and history within the five zones of the continent. The plans have been put on hold until the situation improves. The main agenda item concerned the development of digital platforms and strategies to promote cultural activities during and post-pandemic, and the growth and opportunities of e-sports.
OCA Culture Committee Chair Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul (Photo: Facebook)
RYU HIGHLIGHTS GROWTH OF ATHLETE ENTOURAGE TEAM
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he Chair of the OCA Entourage Committee, IOC Member Ryu Seung-min of Korea, thanked the Asian sports community for protecting the Olympic dreams of its athletes at Tokyo 2020. Addressing an online meeting of the OCA Entourage Committee on Thursday, September 30, Ryu said the concerted efforts of all parties had led to a successful event in Tokyo amidst such challenging times.
“Despite this long-lasting covid-19 pandemic, athletes and entourage members fully supported, in their best capacity, to deliver a safe and secure Olympic Games Tokyo 2020,” he said. “So, I would like to appreciate all the hard work and full support for Asian athletes and entourages to protect the athletes’ dream and passion to have a chance to be an Olympian.” Ryu, a four-time Olympian, won table tennis gold at Athens 2004, silver at London 2012 and bronze at Beijing 2008. Times have changed quickly since then, however, regarding an athlete’s support team, he said. “When I was an athlete, they had some coaches and officials only this - but, this time, parents are actively engaged, managers and doctors, lawyers even, and sports agencies, so the rights and responsibilities are getting bigger. Some brainstorming will be needed,” he said, and proposed that an OCA-driven education programme, webinar or seminar be held to increase the awareness of these issues. Page 18
OCA Entourage Committee Chair Ryu Seung-min. (Photo: Facebook)
OCA ISSUES MANUALS The OCA has published three manuals to NOCs and organising committees in recent months to address major topics of concern in the modern-day Olympic Movement. The subject matter was: Guidelines for the Organisation and Management of OCA Events during the Covid-19 Pandemic (issued in April 2021) For Safeguarding against sexual harassment, abuse and exploitation (April 2021) The Code for the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions (May 2021)
40th OCA General Assembly Dubai 2021
OCA Acting President Raja Randhir Singh is pictured with delegates from Cambodia.
CAMBODIA’S ‘KINGDOM OF WONDER’ TO HOST AYG 2029
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ambodia took centre stage at the OCA’s 40th General Assembly in Dubai on Sunday, November 21.
appreciation to the OCA for granting us this marvellous opportunity,” said Dr. Thong, who is also Cambodia’s Minister of Tourism.
The “Kingdom of Wonder” signed a host city contract with the OCA to stage the 5th Asian Youth Games in the capital Phnom Penh in 2029.
The focal point of the 32nd SEA Games in 2023 and the 5th AYG in 2029 will be the Morodok Techo National Sports Complex on the outskirts of Phnom Penh.
This will be the first OCA games to be hosted by Cambodia and will come six years after they organise the 11-nation Southeast Asian (SEA) Games for the first time in history in May 2023. The OCA’s Acting President, Raja Randhir Singh, said: “We are delighted to welcome Cambodia – the Kingdom of Wonder – to the OCA hosting family. “We know the Royal Government of Cambodia has been focusing a lot on sport and the Olympic movement in recent years and we are sure that, with their enthusiasm and commitment, Cambodia will organise a very successful and, indeed, a unique Asian Youth Games in 2029.” The President of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia, Dr. Thong Khon, said Cambodia was “honoured and excited” to be hosting an OCA games for the first time in history and that the eight-year countdown to 2029 would promote sport and tourism hand in hand. “We would like to express our profound gratitude and much
The China-funded project includes a 60,000-capacity main stadium, a swimming and diving centre, a gymnasium for indoor sports and a training hall, as well as an athletes’ village. “We are confident that the 5th Asian Youth Games Cambodia 2029 will add to the rich legacy of the OCA and provide a window into the culture and history of this beautiful country,” Raja Randhir concluded. SEE: Pages 20-21, OCA General Assembly Photo Gallery; Page 22, OCA General Assembly News Round-up.
AYG HISTORY 1st AYG: Singapore 2009 2nd AYG: Nanjing 2013 3rd AYG: Shantou, China - December 20-28, 2022 4th AYG: Tashkent, Uzbekistan 2025 5th AYG: Phnom Penh, Cambodia 2029 Page 19
40th OCA General Assembly Dubai 2021
PHOTO GALLERY FROM THE
OCA Director General Husain Al Musallam was warmly congratulated on being elected FINA President in June.
OCA Vice Presidents from Qatar: Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain (Doha Asian Games 2030 - left) and Dr. Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari (West Asia).
Welcome Indonesia to the General Assembly.
Shaikha Hayat bint Abdulaziz Al-Khalifa of Bahrain is now Chair of the OCA Gender Equity Committee, formerly Women and Sports Committee.
OCA Executive Board Honorary Member Natalya Sipovich (left) with ANOC Secretary General Gunilla Lindberg and OCA Honorary Vice President Rita Subowo.
The OCA Executive Board held their 76th meeting on November 20. Page 20
40th OCA General Assembly Dubai 2021
HILTON DUBAI AL HABTOOR CITY
HRH Prince Fahad bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz Al Saud thanks the OCA for awarding Riyadh the 7th AIMAG in 2025.
OCA Vice President for the 2025 AYG in Tashkent, Otabek Umarov, presents a souvenir to the OCA Director General.
An exchange of souvenirs between OCA and Cambodia.
The top table discusses the agenda.
OCA Acting President Raja Randhir Singh sits alongside the Chief Guest, United Arab Emirates Sports Minister HE Dr. Ahmad Abdulla Humaid Abdulla Belhoul. Page 21
40th OCA General Assembly Dubai 2021
DUBAI 2021 ‘A GREAT SUCCESS’, SAYS RAJA RANDHIR
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or the second successive year, the OCA had to adopt a hybrid format for their General Assembly due to the travel restrictions and health protocols still in place around the continent.
“I would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to all our NOCs who were able to travel to Dubai for our 40th General Assembly,” said Acting OCA President Raja Randhir Singh.
As a result, 30 of the 44 eligible National Olympic Committees – with DPR Korea under an IOC suspension – attended the November 21 meeting in-person, while the other 14 joined online through the Zoom video conference.
“For those NOCs who could not be with us, we completely understand the situation and we hope that we will all be together at next year’s General Assembly. Overall, it was a great success.”
The three OCA Merit Award winners.
OCA Merit Award
Committee name change
The OCA presented the Merit Award to three distinguished members of the Olympic movement:
The Chair of the OCA Women and Sport Committee, Sheikha Hayat bint Abdulaziz Al-Khalifa of Bahrain, proposed to the OCA Executive Board on November 20 a change of name to the OCA Gender Equity Committee to more reflect the mission of the committee. This change was approved at the General Assembly.
OCA Executive Board honorary member Gen. Souhail Khoury (Lebanon), Nepal Olympic Committee President Jeevan Ram Shrestha and the Secretary General of the NOC of the Republic of Tajikistan, Muhammadsho Abdullozoda.
Riyadh awarded 2025 AIMAG
Next OCA General Assembly
During the update on the 2034 Asian Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia NOC asked the General Assembly for permission to host the 7th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in 2025. The proposal was put to the floor and passed unanimously.
The 41st OCA General Assembly will take place on the sidelines of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China in September 2022 and the 42nd edition will be held in Kuwait – home of the OCA – in 2023 after a request from the Kuwait Olympic Committee.
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Games Update
6th AIMAG
AIMAG IN THAILAND PUSHED BACK TO 2023
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he Olympic sports movement in Asia will have to wait a little longer to be reunited in Thailand – a loyal host of OCA events dating back to the 5th Asian Games in 1966.
“Please be assured of our support and cooperation in organising a very successful 6th AIMAG in Bangkok and Chonburi in November 2023.”
The OCA announced on October 20 that the sixth edition of the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) would not go ahead, as planned, from March 10-19, 2022 due to the pandemic.
The decision to postpone the 6th AIMAG came just over a month after the OCA and Thai organisers held the first Chefs de Mission meeting via video conference on Wednesday, September 15.
Instead, the Games were pushed back to November 17-26, 2023, giving the hosts in Bangkok and Chonburi province plenty of time to prepare for the event and to manage over 5,000 athletes and officials.
The original dates of the 6th AIMAG were May 21-30, 2021, following the cycle of Ashgabat (2017) and Incheon (2013).
The decision was made by the OCA after receiving a request for postponement from the National Olympic Committee of Thailand the previous day, October 19. In a letter to the NOC Thailand President, Gen. Prawit Wongsuwon, dated October 20, OCA Acting President Raja Randhir Singh said: “The OCA fully understands and respects the decision of the NOC of Thailand, the Thailand Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games Organising Committee and the Royal Thai Government to postpone the 6th Asian Indoor and Martial Art Games due to the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic. “The OCA is also very happy to confirm the new dates for the 6th AIMAG which will now be held from November 17-26, 2023.
Floorball will be one of 29 medal sports at the 6th AIMAG. (Photo: Vladimír Hodac/International Floorball Federation)
SPORTS PROGRAMME
6TH AIMAG
The 29 sports, with the number of events, are:
Demonstration sports (2)
- Aquatics (32) – water polo men and women, short course swimming - Basketball 3x3 (2) - Badminton (5) - Billiard Sports (15) - Bowling (8) - Cheerleading (4) - Chess (6) - Climbing (6) - Dance Sport (14) - Esports (4) - Floorball (2) - Futsal (2) - men and women - Indoor Athletics (27) - Indoor Hockey (2)
- Airsport FVP Racing - Teqball
- Indoor Rowing (10) - Ju-jitsu (20) - Karate (13) - Kickboxing (7) - Kurash (10) - Muaythai (20) - Netball (1) - Pencak Silat (11) - Sambo (8) - Sepaktakraw (11) - Shooting (5) - Skate (12) - Taekwondo (20) - Volleyball (2) - men and women - Wrestling (18)
Total: 8 events
New Dates: November 17-26, 2023 Sports: 29 Events: 297 Demonstration Sports: 2 Events: 8 Total Events: 305 Bangkok Venues: 11 Chonburi Venues: 8 AIMAG Emblem: Garland of Unity AIMAG Mascot: Fighting Parrot
Total: 297 events Page 23
Games Update
Shantou Asian Youth Games
SHANTOU AYG POSTPONED TO DECEMBER 2022
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he OCA announced on September 8 that the third Asian Youth Games, due to take place in Shantou, China in November 2021, had been postponed one year to December 2022.
The third edition of the AYG was scheduled for November 20-28, 2021 in the port city of Shantou in Guangdong province but, due to the pandemic, it was decided to put the Games back to December 20-28, 2022. The Games will keep their original name "Shantou 2021 Asian Youth Games" and all the accompanying logos and icons will remain unchanged. “The decision was made after in-depth discussions between the OCA, Chinese Olympic Committee and Shantou 2021 Asian
Youth Games Organising Committee (SAYGOC) to serve the common interests of all related National Olympic Committees and to ensure the safety and health of athletes and other Games participants,” a SAYGOC statement said. “We will continue to advance the Games preparation efforts with a view to presenting a successful sporting gala of youth.” In other news from SAYGOC: The core graphics contain elements from Shantou’s urban landmarks, historical architecture and the AYG main stadium and resembles a blossoming Jinfeng flower. They suggest that the Shantou 2021 AYG will generate considerable passion and enthusiasm in the city, particularly among the youth. The design is an embodiment of the finest Chinese culture, a symbol of beautiful friendships with people from other Asian countries and regions as well as an invitation from the host city of Shantou. Shantou diving champion given a guided substation – the October 27.
Olympic diving champion Xie Siyi (centre) visits the Tagangwei power substation.
AYG Ambassador Xie Siyi, a double Olympic on the 3m springboard at Tokyo 2020, was tour of the newly built Tagangwei power primary electricity source for the AYG – on
SAYGOC and China Southern Airlines met on October 20 to discuss cooperation in areas such as event and brand promotion, flight schedules, flight arrival and departure receptions and ticket services. SAYGOC was represented by Lin Ruiwu, Deputy Secretary General of Shantou Municipal Government, and China Southern Airlines by Bai Yanmiao, General Manager of the Shantou branch.
SHANTOU AYG New Dates: December 20-28, 2022 Sports: 18 Disciplines: 21 Events: 161 AYG history: 1st AYG, Singapore 2009 2nd AYG, Nanjing 2013 Official website: https://www.2021shantou.cn SAYGOC and China Southern discuss the AYG in December 2022. Page 24
Games Update
OCA’S NOCS INVITED TO 7TH CHILDREN OF ASIA GAMES
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he Children of Asia International Sports Games have been held every four years since the inaugural event in 1996 and the organisers have announced that the seventh edition will take place in Vladivostok, in the Russian Far East, next summer. The dates are July 27 to August 8, 2022, and once again Asia’s 45 NOCs are invited to participate alongside regions of Russia. The news follows a contract-signing ceremony between Mr. Vladimir Maksimov, President of the Children of Asia Games International Committee, and Mr. Oleg Kozhemyako, Governor of Primorsky Krai (region) and Chair of the Local Organising Committee.
The 19 sports are: badminton, 3x3 basketball, kurash, khapsagai wrestling, boxing, beach volleyball, judo, athletics, mas-wrestling, table tennis, swimming (including open water swimming), shooting, sambo, wrestling (freestyle, Greco-Roman), archery, dance sports (breaking), taekwondo, mini-football (futsal) and rhythmic gymnastics. The Children of Asia International Sports Games are the only sports competitions in Russia held under the patronage of the IOC and supported by the OCA and Russian Olympic Committee.
ACTING ANOC President Robin Mitchell (fourth from left) meets the South Asian NOCs on the sidelines of the ANOC General Assembly in Crete, Greece. The 14th South Asian Games are due to be held in Lahore and other cities of Pakistan in March 2023. The 13th edition took place in Nepal in 2019. (Photo: Pakistan Olympic Association)
SOUTHEAST ASIA REGION FACES HECTIC GAMES SCHEDULE
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ne of the biggest multi-sport games in the continent, the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, will be held twice in 12 months if everything goes to plan. The 31st SEA Games were due to take place in Vietnam from November 21-December 2, 2021 but have been put back to May 12-23, 2022 due to the pandemic. There will be 40 sports and 525 events in Hanoi and 11 northern provinces and cities. Less than one year after the 31st SEA Games will close in Hanoi, the 32nd edition is due to start in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on May 5, 2023 and run until May 16. It will be the first time for Cambodia to host the SEA Games since the regional sports fest began as the Southeast Asian Peninsula (SEAP) Games in 1959. The SEA Games are keenly contested by the 11 National Olympic Committees in the southeast Asia region and some
The 31st SEA Games in Vietnam have been put back to May 2022 (Photo: Facebook) 7,000 athletes are expected to take part in Vietnam next May. Page 25
Women in Sport
PAKISTAN PRIDE IN WOMEN’S CRICKET APPOINTMENT
T Tania Mallick, the new head of women’s cricket at the PCB. (Photo: @NOCPak)
he Pakistan Olympic Association announced on September 29 the appointment of Mrs. Tania Mallick, Deputy Chair of the POA Women’s Commission and member of the POA Education Commission, as Head of Women’s Cricket of the Pakistan Cricket Board. “The President and Secretary General of POA congratulate her and wish her the very best for the esteemed assignment and future endeavours,” the POA said in a statement, adding they were “delighted” with the appointment.
NADIN DAWANI ELECTED TO WORLD TAEKWONDO COUNCIL
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ordan’s three-time Olympian, Nadin Farid Dawani, has been elected as a Council member of World Taekwondo. Nadin, 33, represented Jordan in the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games and is International Relations Manager at the Jordan Olympic Committee. She announced her appointment in a Facebook post dated October 12. “It is such an honour for me that I have been elected as a Council member at the World Taekwondo,” she said. “I extend my gratitude to all of those who have placed their trust in me and I promise to save no effort to help grow this sport which has been such an important part of my life. “Taekwondo has given me so many incredible opportunities, where I represented my country at three Olympic Games, so I am looking forward to giving so much back to increase the opportunities locally, regionally and internationally for a whole new generation of athletes.”
World Taekwondo Council member Nadin Dawani. (Photo: Facebook)
ARCHERS from Yemen take part in a five-day training camp organised by the Yemen Olympic Committee and national archery federation. The camp included practical and theoretical sessions as well as psychological training and attracted 25 participants. (Photo: @yemnoc)
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Women in Sport
ASIAN DUO APPOINTED TO IOC’S BRISBANE COMMISSION
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wo of the most prominent female sports leaders in Asia have been appointed to the International Olympic Committee’s Coordination Commission for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, the IOC announced on October 7. They are HRH Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Mikee Cojuangco Jaworski of the Philippines. HRH Princess Reema became an IOC member in 2020 and has been a member of the IOC Women in Sport Commission since 2018.
HRH Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud.
Mikee Cojuangco, Asian Games equestrian champion at Busan 2002, joined the IOC in 2013 and became a member of the IOC Executive Board in 2020. At the 138th IOC Session in Tokyo in July, Mikee was re-elected IOC member for another eight years.
The latest honour for Mikee follows other high-profile roles in IOC commissions: Coordination for Tokyo 2020 (2014-2021), Women and Sport (2014-2015), Olympic Channel (2015-),
Communications (2015-), Olympic Education (2015-), Evaluation for the 2024 Olympic Games (2016-2017) and Coordination for Paris 2024. Other points of interest: The Coordination Commission for Brisbane 2032 will be led by five-time Olympian and two-time Olympic swimming champion Kirsty Coventry, from Zimbabwe. 66 per cent of the Brisbane 2032 Coordination Commission members are women, with the number of female chairs of IOC Commissions now 12 out of 30. With an average age of 48, and with the addition of more recently-elected IOC members, the Commission members will also bring a fresh perspective to the preparations.
IOC Executive Board member Mikee Cojuangco Jaworski. (Photo: Getty Images)
BAHRAIN’S OLYMPIC SILVER MEDALLIST BREAKS WORLD RECORD
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ahrain’s Olympic 10,000m silver medallist Kalkidan Gezahegne won The Giants Geneva 10km on Sunday, October 3 in 29 minutes 38 seconds, breaking the world record by five seconds. The 30-year-old distance runner, contesting just the fourth road race of her career, went out fast. She reached the half-way point in 14:46, five seconds ahead of the pack, and covered the second half in 14:51. Kalkidan Gezahegne breaks the women's 10,000 metres world record (Facebook)
Her time of 29:38 took five seconds off Joyciline Jepkosgei’s world record set in Prague in 2017. Page 27
Women in Sport
QATAR’S SHEIKHA ASMA SCALES NEW HEIGHTS
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very sports person tries to reach the summit in their career – and Qatari mountaineer Sheikha Asma Al-Thani can safely say she has done so during a triumphant year.
metres, Sheikha Asma shared pictures of the climb on her official Instagram page as a celebration of her feat. “We made it! We summitted the beautiful Ama Dablam ‘Mother's Necklace’ at 10am yesterday, 8th of November,” she wrote. “It was a tough mountain to climb, highly technical in extreme altitude, but nevertheless we ascended higher. “This mountain is all about teamwork, helping each other, motivating each other and standing by each other when things get tough!”
Her latest expedition took her to the top of Mount Ama Dablam in Nepal on Monday, November 8 – her fourth momentous climb of the year. At an elevation of 6,812
Sheikha Asma reports her achievement on Instagram.
In less than five months, the Qatar Olympic Committee Director of Marketing and Communications has summited four mountains around the world: Mount Elbrus in Russia as well as Mount Dhaulagiri (8,167m – seventh highest in the world), Mount Manaslu (8,163m – eighth highest in the world) and now Mount Ama Dablam, all in Nepal.
BHUTAN NOC CELEBRATES UNIVERSITY PRIZE FOR FEMALE BOXER
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“She is also the first female boxer in the country and opened her boxing studio in Thimphu this year. She is currently studying at Royal Thimphu College. The federation wishes her all the best for her future endeavours.”
hutan Olympic Committee reports that college student Tandin Lhamo has won a major prize for her boxing studio initiative that encourages girls and women to take up the sport. Tandin received 10,000 Singapore dollars (7,437 USD) in the Border Mission-sponsored University Business Idea Competition 2021. “She has been a member of the boxing federation for the past six years and represented the country in various international tournaments,” the Bhutan Boxing Federation said.
Tandin Lhamo with her prize.
Border Mission is a charitable organisation from Singapore with the aim to serve and empower individuals, families and communities with resources to improve the quality of their lives. (Photo: @Bhutanboxingfederation)
TRIO OF HONG KONG CRICKETERS EARN T20 CONTRACTS
H
ong Kong cricketers Kary Chan, Mariko Hill and Ruchitha Venkatesh have been announced as the first three players from the SAR to be awarded contracts to play in the ICC-sanctioned FairBreak Invitational Women’s Cricket T20 tournament in Hong Kong from May 1-15, 2022. The trio will have the opportunity to play alongside some of the best cricketers in the world, including Harmanpreet Kaur from India and Sana Mir from Pakistan, who have been named as captains for the six-team tournament. Gencor, a leading healthcare group, are the lead sponsors. Page 28
Women in Sport PV SINDHU RECEIVES THIRD HIGHEST CIVILIAN AWARD IN INDIA
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ndia’s two-time Olympic badminton medallist PV Sindhu has received the country’s third highest civilian award – the Padma Bhushan – for her sporting achievements. The 26-year-old Rio 2016 silver medallist and Tokyo 2020 bronze medal-winner was presented with the award by President Ram Nath Kovind in a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on November 8. “It is a proud moment. I am thankful to the Government of India. These awards give us a lot of encouragement, support and motivation. I have some upcoming tournaments, I will give my best in them,” Sindhu, the 2019 world champion, was quoted by ANI.
President Ram Nath Kovind presents Padma Bhushan to PV Sindhu (Photo: PTI)
Meanwhile, India’s women’s hockey captain Rani Rampal received the Padma Shri award along with women’s football star Oinam Bembem Devi. Six-time world boxing champion Mary Kom was conferred with the Padma Vibhushan award.
The Padma awards are given in three categories — Padma Vibhushan (exceptional and distinguished service), Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of high order) and Padma Shri (distinguished service in any field) — and announced annually on the eve of Republic Day. Source: Indian Express
SAMIRA Imani Fouladi has become the first Iranian woman to work as a volleyball coach in Europe after being appointed assistant coach of Portuguese women’s league champions AJM FC Porto. Imani, 37, won eight championships in the Iranian Volleyball Super League as a middle blocker and was a member of the national team for 12 years before moving into coaching. She always wanted to play or coach in Europe and now that dream has come true. (Photo: Linkedin)
SYRIAN SWIMMER INANA BAGS GOLDEN HAT TRICK
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yria’s Inana Suleiman won three gold medals at the Arab Swimming Championships (25 metres) at the Sports Centre in Mohammed bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi from October 24-27. Inana began her golden run by winning the women’s 1500m freestyle in 17.53 minutes and followed up with victory in the 800m freestyle in 9:14.70 and finally the 400m free in 4:30. The event was hosted by the UAE Swimming Federation in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and attracted 174 swimmers from 17 Arab states.
The Arab Championships was a dress rehearsal for the 15th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) 2021 to be held in Abu Dhabi from December 16-21. (Photo: Syrian Arab News Agency)
Inana Suleiman won three gold medals in Abu Dhabi. Page 29
ANOC General Assembly Awards
INDONESIA, KOREA TO PLAY KEY ROLES FOR ANOC
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he world’s 205 National Olympic Committees gathered in Crete, Greece on October 24-25, 2021 for the XXV ANOC General Assembly. For the first time in ANOC history, the General Assembly was held in a hybrid format, with 148 NOCs attending in person and 57 NOCs connecting virtually. The two-day General Assembly united the Olympic Movement as NOC delegates were joined by representatives from the IOC, International Federations and Games Organising Committees at the Creta Maris Beach Resort. In addition to the General Assembly, Crete hosted the ANOC Awards 2021, which celebrated outstanding achievements of athletes from the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. (See Page 31)
Indonesia won a bronze medal in men’s beach volleyball at the ANOC WBG in 2019. The country looks set to host the second event in 2023. (Photo: Tim Indonesia)
Indonesia set to stage next AWBG
Seoul prepares for ANOC General Assembly 2022
Indonesia knows all about organising an international beach games – and they look set to be doing so again in 2023, pending WADA clearance.
Two years after Seoul was due to host the ANOC General Assembly in 2020, the Korean capital will finally get the chance next year.
The OCA’s Asian Beach Games success story began at Bali in 2008 and, since then, the event has gone from strength to strength.
The ANOC General Assembly approved the decision of the ANOC Executive Council to organise the XXVI ANOC General Assembly in Seoul from October 17-21, 2022. This will include the meetings of the Working Groups and Executive Council as well as the ANOC Awards.
Now it’s Indonesia’s turn to join the ANOC World Beach Games party by organising the second edition in 2023, with the island of Sulawesi set to play host. A final decision will be made by ANOC before the end of the year. Doha staged a memorable inaugural ANOC WBG in October 2019.
Seoul was pencilled in to organise the ANOC GA in October 2020 as part of the centenary celebrations of the Olympic movement in Korea with the establishment of the Chosun Sports Council on July 13, 1920.
The President of the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee, Lee Kee Heung, is pictured (right) in Crete. (Photo: ANOC) Page 30
ANOC General Assembly Awards
FOUR ASIAN NOCS RECEIVE ANOC AWARDS AND DIPLOMAS
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apan was the big winner from Asia in the seventh edition of the ANOC Awards 2021 at the Creta Maris Beach Resort on Sunday, October 24. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games hosts won two awards – the men’s baseball team in the men’s team award and the Japanese Olympic Committee in the Outstanding National Olympic Committee of Tokyo 2020.
The ANOC Awards winners for 2021 were: Best Female Multiple Athlete Event of Tokyo 2020: Estonia Fencing Épée Team Best Male Multiple Athlete Event of Tokyo 2020: Italy Cycling-Track Team Pursuit Best Female Team of Tokyo 2020: New Zealand Rugby Sevens Best Male Team of Tokyo 2020: Japan Baseball Best Female Athlete of Tokyo 2020: Maggie MacNeil (Canada, swimming) Best Male Athlete of Tokyo 2020: Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya, athletics) Outstanding Athlete Performance: Mijaín López (Cuba, Greco-Roman wrestling) Outstanding NOC of Tokyo 2020: Japanese Olympic Committee Contribution to the Olympic Movement: John Coates
Qatar Olympic Committee President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani receives the Breakthrough Award.
Three more Asian NOCs were recognised in the Breakthrough Award – Philippines and Qatar for winning their first gold medal in Olympic Games history and Turkmenistan for winning their first medal at an Olympics. (www.anocolympic.org)
The six ANOC Diploma for Breakthrough NOCs recipients included: Philippine Olympic Committee Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz made history by winning the women’s 55 kg category to become the first Olympic gold medallist from the Philippines in 97 years. Qatar Olympic Committee Weightlifter Fares Elbakh won his country’s first ever Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020 and, shortly after, high jump star Mutaz Essa Barshim added a second gold of Tokyo 2020. NOC Turkmenistan Tokyo 2020 saw Turkmenistan win its first Olympic medal when Polina Guryeva won silver in the women’s weightlifting 59 kg category.
Japan's 2-0 win over the United States earned them their first Olympic baseball gold – and men’s team of the year award from ANOC. (Getty Images) Page 31
Obituary
OLYMPIC MOVEMENT PAYS TRIBUTE TO JACQUES ROGGE
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he global Olympic movement was saddened by the passing of one of the IOC’s great leaders, Count Jacques Rogge, on August 29, 2021, at the age of 79. President Jacques, an orthopedic surgeon, was elected eighth President of the IOC in 2001 and was re-elected for a further four years in 2009. When his term ended in 2013, the Belgian sports leader was awarded the Olympic Order and made Honorary President of the IOC. President Jacques served sport and the Olympic movement with dignity, pride and passion over many decades and his contribution will never be forgotten. He was also a big supporter of Asia and the OCA, attending various multi-sport games, General Assembly meetings and other events and witnessing first-hand the growth of the Olympic sports movement throughout the continent. IOC Vice President Ng Ser Miang of Singapore was particularly affected by the passing of his great friend, especially as the former IOC President had played a pioneering role in the promotion of youth sport and the establishment of the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010. In a special edition of the Olympic Review, Mr Ng describes how he took to the ocean waves to say a prayer and bid farewell to his fellow sailor, and recalls how closely they had worked together to bring the YOG Singapore 2010 to fruition.
The IOC produced a special Olympic Review edition to celebrate the life and achievements of the eighth IOC President. (www.ioc.org)
“In his quiet and unassuming ways, he presided over successful Summer and Winter Olympic Games from 2002 to 2012,” Mr Ng wrote.
under his watch. His foresight and prudence left the IOC as an organisation with a foundation strong enough to weather any storm.
“The finances and institution of the IOC strengthened further
“Bon voyage, my dear friend. Rest in peace.”
JACQUES ROGGE Born: Ghent, Belgium 1942 Olympic Games: 1968, 1972, 1976 (sailing) Other sports: Rugby (10 caps for Belgium) 1991: IOC Member 1998: IOC Executive Board 2001: Elected eighth IOC President 2009: Re-elected 2010: Inaugural Youth Olympic Games, Singapore IOC Vice President Ng Ser Miang of Singapore was a great friend of Jacques Rogge. (Photo: Facebook) Page 32
2013: Honorary IOC President
Obituary
RUKMA SJB RANA: The Honorary President of Nepal Olympic Committee passed away on September 10, aged 85. He was NOC President from 1998 to 2007 and also led the National Sports Council and the national sports associations of football, taekwondo, athletics and skiing. He was a former member of the OCA Executive Board and former Chair of the OCA Media Committee.
TEMIRKHAN DOSMUKHAMBETOV: The famous statesman and public figure, and Kazakhstan NOC President from 2006-2015, passed away on November 1 at age 73. During his career he held the positions of Minister of Tourism and Sport, Head of President's Affairs of Kazakhstan and City Mayor of Astana. “He will remain in our memory as a true head of the Olympic family…a man who devoted all his soul to the sports movement,” the NOC said. (Photo: Olympic.kz)
PROF. HOANG VINH GIANG: The OCA Executive Board member and Vietnam Olympic Committee Vice President passed away on September 11. He was 74. A well-respected and influential sports leader in Vietnam, southeast Asia and throughout the continent, Prof. Hoang played a leading role in the success of OCA events in Vietnam such as the Asian Indoor Games in 2009 and Asian Beach Games in 2016.
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Obituary
DR. TEH KONG CHUAN: One of the pioneers of anti-doping in Singapore and the southeast Asia region, the sports medicine doctor passed away on November 17. The Southeast Asia Regional Anti-Doping Organisation (SEARADO) said Dr. Teh played a key role in the Singapore National Olympic Council’s Medical Committee. “A great contribution to Singapore and the region. Dr. Teh’s calm demeanour and friendly approach to all will always be remembered,” SEARADO said.
DATO SERI ZOLKPLES EMBONG: The former Director General of the National Sports Council in Malaysia passed away on October 3 at the age of 62.
(Photo: @SouthEastAsiaRADO)
(Photo: The Star)
KAMOLIDDIN RASULOV: The International Judo Federation paid tribute to the 29-year-old Uzbekistan national team judoka and World Tour regular after he was found stabbed to death in an apartment in Tashkent on September 13. “The last time we saw him was at the Doha Masters, earlier this year. During his years as a professional, Rasulov won a silver medal at the Tashkent Grand Prix in September 2019,” the IJF said.
HIROMI TOKUDA: The softball leader in Japan and for the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) passed away on October 9 aged 72. He was President of the Japan Softball Association from 2012 to 2020, JSA Honorary President since 2012 and WBSC Softball Continental Vice President for Asia since 2017.
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His career in the sports ministry began in 1982. He also served as Secretary of the Badminton Association of Malaysia from 2000-2002 and Chief Executive Officer of the 2017 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games Organising Committee.
(Photo: https://www.wbsc.org)
Obituary
TUN AHMAD SARJI ABDUL HAMID: Malaysia’s Chef de Mission at the London 2012 Olympic Games passed away on August 28. He was 82. The Olympic Council of Malaysia said Tun Ahmad Sarji was a long-serving and respected civil servant, rising to the position of Chief Secretary of State (1990-1996). He received the National Sports Leadership Award in 2006 and was inducted into the OCM Hall of Fame in 2014.
SS NARAYAN: The All-India Football Federation announced the demise of former Indian national team goalkeeper SS “Babu” Narayan in Thane, Maharashtra, on August 5. He played in the 1956 and 1960 Olympic Games as well as in the AFC Asian Cup and Asian Games. AIFF President Praful Patel said: “It is devastating to hear that Mr. Narayan is no more. His contribution to Indian football can never be forgotten.”
(Photo: Golf Business News)
(Photo: News8Plus)
SIEH SHEN-NERN: The sports community was saddened by the passing of Shen-Nern, beloved daughter of the former Olympic Council of Malaysia Secretary General Dato’ Sieh Kok Chi, on October 26. She was 47 years old. “People in the sporting fraternity locally and abroad will surely remember Shen-Nern as a lovely and happy child. She will be missed by many friends in the sporting fraternity for her cheerful character,” the OCM said.
ALI BAGHBANBASHI: The first Iranian gold medal-winner in Asian Games history died on October 28 aged 96. The two-time Olympian won 5,000m gold and silver in the 3,000m steeplechase at the first Asian Games in New Delhi in 1951 and two bronze medals in the 5,000m and 10,000m at Tokyo 1958. He had the honour of lighting the cauldron at the opening ceremony of the 1974 Asian Games in Tehran. (Photo: NOC Iran) Page 35
News In Brief
New Olympic gold for Iran
Olympic Solidarity update
Events in athletics, canoeing and wrestling from the Olympic Games London 2012 will see medals, diplomas and medallist pins reallocated, the IOC Executive Board confirmed on November 12. The new medals allocation includes:
The Olympic Solidarity Commission noted the outstanding results of the 827 athletes – 465 men and 362 women – who were supported on their journey to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games by OS athlete scholarships.
Athletics – Men’s High Jump: Disqualified - Ivan Ukhov (RUS – 1st place, gold medal). World Athletics has modified the results accordingly: 1, Erik Kynard (USA); 2=, Mutaz Essa Barshim (QAT), Derek Drouin (CAN) and Robert Grabarz (GBR).
In total, 1,836 athletes from 186 NOCs were supported to the tune of USD 47 million, contributing to a record 93 NOCs winning medals.
Wrestling – Men’s Freestyle 120kg: Disqualified - Artur Taymazov (UZB – 1st place, gold medal) and Davit Modzmanashvili (GEO – 2nd place, silver medal). United World Wrestling has modified the results accordingly: 1. Komeil Ghasemi (IRI), 1. Bilyal Makhov (RUS)*, 3. Daulet Shabanbay (KAZ), Tervel Ivaylov Dlagnev (USA). *Makhov is suspended until January 27, 2004 so cannot receive the gold medal at this time.
Watanabe re-elected FIG President IOC Member Morinari Watanabe was re-elected President of the International Gymnastics Federation for a three-year term (2022-24) during the 83rd FIG Congress in Antalya, Turkey from November 5-7. The Japanese sports leader, who has been FIG President since January 1, 2017, obtained 81 votes against 47 for Farid Gayibov (AZE). The three Vice Presidents include Ali Al-Hitmi (QAT), 1st Vice President, and the seven Executive Committee members include Miao Zhongyi (CHN) and Youssef Al-Tabbaa (SYR/re-elected).
Triathlon honour for Nener Japan’s elite-level triathlete Kenji Nener has been elected to the World Triathlon Athletes Committee, which is made up of 10 athletes from 10 different countries with five female and five male representatives.
Yangzhou world half marathon postponed
Nener, 28, has been representing Japan since December 2018 having previously competed for Australia until September 3, 2017. He finished 14th in the men’s triathlon at Tokyo 2020 and 13th in the mixed relay. (https://www.triathlon.org)
The World Athletics Half Marathon Championships, which were due to be held in Yangzhou, China on March 27, 2022 have been postponed to Sunday, November 13, 2022, World Athletics announced on November 3.
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News In Brief
Qatar, China to host Diamond League 2022
Choue re-elected World Taekwondo President
World Athletics announced on November 25 that the Wanda Diamond League 2022 will open in Doha on May 13 and include two legs in China – at Shanghai on July 30 and an as yet unnamed city on August 6. The circuit will conclude with the two-day finale in Zurich on September 7-8.
Chungwon Choue was re-elected World Taekwondo President for the term 2021-2025 by electronic vote during the virtual World Taekwondo General Assembly 2021 on October 11. The Korean sports leader, who has been President since 2004, was the sole candidate and received 129 of the 131 votes.
FINA to award 140 scholarships
The four Council members elected for Asia were: Ahmed Hamdan Al Zeyoudi (UAE), Yang Jin-bang (Korea), Jung Kook-hyun (Korea) and Nadin Dawani (Jordan). (http://www.worldtaekwondo.org)
FINA launched the FINA Scholarships Programme 2021-2022 in September to prepare and qualify a limited number of athletes for the 15th FINA World Swimming Championships 2021 in Abu Dhabi and the 19th FINA World Championships in Fukuoka. With a total of 140 scholarships available for three of FINA’s aquatics disciplines - swimming, diving and open water- this edition will record the highest number of scholarships since its creation in 2015. At Tokyo 2020, 57 swimmers and five divers had received a FINA scholarship.
Asian duo bid for IOC AC Two Asian athletes are among a record 17 winter sports athletes from around the world bidding to win one of only two places available on the IOC Athletes Commission at elections in Beijing next February. They are both from luge - India’s six-time Winter Olympian Shiva Keshavan, aged 40, and Chinese Taipei’s Lien Te-An, 27, who has competed at Sochi 2014 and PyeongChang 2018. (www.ioc.org)
IOC suspends DPRK The IOC Executive Board on September 8 suspended the Olympic Committee of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (PRK NOC) until the end of 2022 as a result of the NOC’s unilateral decision not to participate in Tokyo 2020. The NOC suspension has the following consequences: The accrued financial support from the IOC that was due to be allocated to the PRK NOC but had been withheld due to international sanctions will be forfeited. The PRK NOC will not be entitled to benefit from any assistance or programme from the IOC during the period of suspension. Should any athlete(s) from the PRK NOC qualify for Beijing 2022, the IOC EB will take an appropriate decision in due course for the athlete(s) concerned. (www.ioc.org)
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OCA Sports Diary
2021 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, December 16 – 21 15th FINA Swimming World Championships (25m) 2022 Beijing, China: February 4 – 20 Olympic Winter Games
Vladivostok, Russia, July 27 – August 8 7th Children of Asia International Sport Games Birmingham, UK: July 28 – August 8 Commonwealth Games Hangzhou, China: September 10 – 25 OCA 19th Asian Games
Beijing, China: March 4 – 13 Winter Paralympic Games Hong Kong, China: May 1 – 15 ICC/Cricket Hong Kong FairBreak Invitational 2022 women’s T20 tournament Hanoi, Vietnam: May 12 – 23 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games Hanoi 2021 Fukuoka, Japan: May 13 – 29 19th FINA World Championships Chengdu, China: June 26 – July 7 FISU World University Games Chengdu 2021
Seoul, Korea: October 17 – 21 XXVI ANOC General Assembly Yangzhou, China: November 13 World Athletics Half Marathon Championships Doha, Qatar: November 21 – December 18 FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Shantou, China: December 20 – 28 OCA 3rd Asian Youth Games
Oregon, United States: July 15 – 24 World Athletics Championships Oregon 2022
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杭州2022年第19届亚运会官方合作伙伴
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OCA Sports Diary
2023 Sanya, China: (Dates to be decided) OCA 6th Asian Beach Games Sanya 2020
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: (Dates to be determined) 7th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games
Lahore, Pakistan: March 2023 (Dates to be confirmed) 14th South Asian Games 2023 .T M
MILANO CORTINA 2026
Nanjing, China: March 17 – 19 World Athletics Indoor Championships 2023 20th Asian Games
Aichi-Nagoya 2026
Phnom Penh, Cambodia: May 5 – 16 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games Bangkok/Chonburi province, Thailand: Nov 17 – 26 OCA 6th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games 2024 Gangwon, Korea: (Dates to be determined) IOC 4th Winter Youth Olympic Games Paris, France: July 26 – August 11 Olympic Games 2025 Tashkent, Uzbekistan: (Dates to be determined) OCA 4th Asian Youth Games
2026 Milano Cortina, Italy: (Dates to be determined) Olympic Winter Games Aichi-Nagoya, Japan: September 19 – October 4 OCA 20th Asian Games Dakar, Senegal: (Dates to be determined) IOC 4th Youth Olympic Games 2029 Phnom Penh, Cambodia: (Dates to be determined) 5th Asian Youth Games 2030 Doha, Qatar: (Dates to be determined) 21st Asian Games 2034 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: (Dates to be determined) 22nd Asian Games
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