Kuwait City, Kuwait, September 23, 2022: Top official of the Olympic Council of Asia. Mr. Husain Al Musallam has lauded newly-elected Chinese Olympic Committee President Mr. Gao Zhidan saying "your rich working experience" will serve the interests of OCA and Chinese sports.
Mr. Musallam met the COC President at OCA Headquarters in Salmiya via a online meeting on Friday and both leaders had a fruitful discussion centred around the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou next year.
Mr. Musallam said : "You are a well-known sport figure in China and within the Asian Olympic Movement. Your rich working experience and expertise in sporting management and development will serve the good interests of Chinese sports and the OCA."
"OCA will continuously support and coordinate closely with COC in the best interests of sports and Olympic movement in China," Mr. Musallam added.
In reply, Mr. Gao Zhidan paying tribute to Mr. Musallam, said : "After being elected COC president I received your congratulation letter and you are the first international sports leader I'm meeting.
"In the past decade, i have been involved with many multi-sports games and World Championships. In this time I have experienced the fast development of Asian sports under your leadership, " Mr. Gao said.
Mr. Gao added: "After you became FINA president, the new development plan which focus on athletes’ benefits truly reflect your new vision."
Since being elected as COC President, Mr. Gao's first domestic official visit was to Hangzhou. He has inspected the Hangzhou Asian Games venues and confirmed that all facilities are ready for the Games.
Mr. Gao Zhidan is the current Minister of the General Administration of Sports of China, and has been in office since July. 2022.
