Bangkok, Thailand, March 14, 2023: Asia’s growing influence at the high table of world sport was hailed by Olympic Council of Asia Director General Husain Al Musallam on Monday, March 13.
Speaking at a ceremony where OCA Vice President Dato Seri Chaiyapak Siriwat was presented the International Hockey Federation (FIH) President’s Award, Mr. Al Musallam lauded the progress being made by Asians inside the boardrooms of world sports.
Mr. Al Musallam, who is President of World Aquatics, counted out the number of Presidents of International Federations who were present at the reception to mark the end of the second Coordination Committee for the sixth AIMAG which will take place from November 17-26.
“I’m very happy to see four Presidents of International Federations present today. They are Tayyab, Vinod, Haider and Chris and I’m proud of all of you. Thirty years ago it would have been impossible to access these positions, but today we see more leaders from Asia,” Mr. Al Musallam pointed out.
Along with the World Aquatics President, the other leading positions are held by Tayyab Ikram, FIH President, Vinod Tiwari, President of International Kabaddi Federation, Haider Farman, President of International Kurash Association, and Chris Chan, President of Global Esports Federation. All of them are members of the Coordination Committee for AIMAG.
Mr. Al Musallam noted that Asia’s economic might was one of the reasons for the growing presence of Asian sporting leaders. “Why Asians - it is because of life. Life always changes and Asia has changed and we have good economies. Today we have leaders from Asia who are leading to contribute to the good of sport,” Mr. Al Musallam said.
Meanwhile, the recipient of the FIH President’s Award, Dato Seri Chaiyapak Siriwat, who is also Vice President of Thailand NOC and Vice President of the Asian Hockey Federation, said: “I have been involved in the hockey world for just over 16 years and in that time I have seen others receiving this award. I’m very happy and proud to get this award.”
The FIH President’s Award is given to individuals who are not members of FIH for long and valuable services to hockey.
