Kuwait City, Kuwait, November 25, 2022: The Olympic Council of Asia opened its Asian Games Youth Reporter Project (YRP) at the headquarters of the Kuwait Olympic Committee on Thursday, November 24.
The YRP is one of three elements of the OCA’s “Asian Games for All” promotional campaign for the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China in September 2023, along with the Asian Games Fun Run and Asian Games Children’s Art Competition.
The OCA will use the YRP to assemble a team of young reporters to attend the 19th Asian Games and contribute articles to the OCA website (www.ocasia.org) and official magazine, Sporting Asia.
Following a two-hour workshop, the students had to write a news article from comments made by Kuwait’s Olympic swimmer, Abbas Qali, at a press conference to simulate working conditions at a major international sports event.
The writer of the best article will be invited to join the OCA media team at Hangzhou, where the 19th Asian Games will be held from September 23 to October 8, 2023.
The students were welcomed to the KOC HQ at Jaber Al Ahmad City by the OCA’s Head of Athletes Development Department and Special Projects, Tony Tarraf.
“This workshop is the first in our series for the 19th Asian Games,” he said.
“It will give you the opportunity to learn about the daily work of the media at a big sports event like the Asian Games and also the chance to join the OCA team and come to Hangzhou next year.
“We would also like to thank our special guest, Mr Abbas Qali, for giving up his time to come to the workshop and share his experiences with the students.”
The first half of the workshop introduced the International Olympic Committee, the Olympic Council of Asia and the history of the Asian Games.
The second half featured a press conference with the Olympic swimmer Abbas Qali, who retired from competitive swimming after winning five gold medals at the 3rd Gulf Cooperation Council Games in Kuwait in May. Abbas, 30, is now focusing on coaching and setting up a foundation to encourage more boys and girls to take up swimming.
“The students asked very interesting questions and I was very happy to share my experiences with them,” said the butterfly specialist.
“The media plays an important part in sports events at all levels and, if the students here decide to follow that path, I wish them all success in their career.”
The workshop was conducted by the Editor of the OCA magazine Sporting Asia, Jeremy Walker, who has 40 years’ experience in sports media in Britain, Hong Kong, Japan and around the Asian continent.
