Hangzhou, China, March 15, 2023: The Olympic Council of Asia’s Asian Games Director, Haider Farman, believes the athletes are in for a treat at this year’s 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
Speaking after a visit to the Asian Games Village on Wednesday, Mr Farman said the apartments and related infrastructure and services were better than anything he had seen before at an Asian Games or even Olympic Games.
“The impression we have received from our visit is that we are tremendously satisfied,” he said.
“What we have seen during our visit is, we believe, the best ever Athletes’ Village, not only in Asian Games history but also in the Olympic Games.
“It complies with all the requirements – and beyond. We hope that this Village can be an example for all future Asian Games and Olympic Games.”
Mr Farman was particularly impressed with the size of the apartments, the lay-out of the rooms, the number of beds per room, the spacious living room area and also the apartments reserved for the Chef de Mission (CDM) of each delegation.
“They have more than what is required for an Athletes’ Village – and the furniture was very comfortable, so that the athletes can look forward to a comfortable stay during the Asian Games,” he said. “We are 100 per cent sure that all athletes will enjoy their time in the Village.”
Each of the National Olympic Committees will have their own CDM apartment and office space. “They were a great size and can really serve the needs of the NOCs big and small,” he added.
The main Asian Games Village will accommodate around 20,000 participants in three main sections: the Athletes’ Village, with a capacity of more than 10,000 athletes and team officials; Media Village (5,000); and Technical Officials’ Village (4,000).
The main Athletes’ Village in Hangzhou will be supplemented by five sub-villages throughout Zhejiang province to support some of the 61 disciplines in 40 sports on the Asian Games programme.
The Asian Games Village tour kicked off the two-day OCA Coordination Committee meeting for the 19th Asian Games, which will be held from September 23 to October 8. This is the fifth Coordination Committee meeting for Hangzhou but the first visit since 2019 due to the pandemic.
The tour started at Flag Plaza, where the team welcome ceremonies will take place, and was followed by the NOC Services Centre, the Athletes’ Village apartments and finally the main dining hall, which has an area of 8,400 square metres and can seat 4,200 diners at one time.
Mr Farman added: “The dining hall will cater for everyone, with Chinese food, South East Asian, South Asian, European, Middle Eastern and Islamic Halal food. The fact that it can accommodate over 4,000 people at one sitting and provide all these different kind of cuisines will satisfy all athletes.”
The Coordination Committee visit will continue with the meeting between the OCA and Hangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee (HAGOC) on Thursday, March 16.
The venue tour was preceded by a display of the advanced Geely cars that will be provided by Asian Games prestige partner Geely Auto.
