Hangzhou, China, March 16, 2023: The Director General of the Olympic Council of Asia, Husain Al Musallam, thanked the Hangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee (HAGOC) for all their hard work during the challenging years of the pandemic to keep the 19th Asian Games “on the right track”.
In his opening address at the 5th OCA Coordination Committee meeting in Hangzhou on Thursday, Mr Al Musallam praised the team work of HAGOC and the Chinese Olympic Committee.
“On behalf of the Olympic movement in Asia and the Coordination Committee members, I would like to put our deep appreciation on the record for the hard work of the team that I see here during the difficult two and a half years of the pandemic,” he said.
“Our last coordination meeting was held about three years ago but yesterday, on our visit to the Athletes’ Village, Media Village and Technical Officials’ Village, it makes us confident that the 19th Asian Games are going on the right track.
“In all the history of the Asian Games and maybe even the Olympic Games, there is no Athletes’ Village combining the three sectors of athletes, media and technical officials. This is a positive step for the future and illustrates the fantastic growth of the Asian Games.”
Referring to the pandemic, Mr Al Musallam added: “I know in the past years it was not easy years for all of us, not only for Hangzhou but for all the world.
“But we are proud about what we are witnessing - a really high standard of conducting the operation sector, the technical sector and, the most important thing, the services for our athletes who will come from different sports to compete here in Hangzhou next September and October.”
Summing up the coordination between the OCA, HAGOC and the Chinese Olympic Committee over the past six years, Mr Al Musallam said: “I feel that we are one family and one team. Rest assured of our full commitment and dedication to work hand in hand to make the 19th Asian Games the best Asian Games, the ‘smart’ Games as you wish, for the Olympic movement in Asia.”
On behalf of the Chinese Olympic Committee, Vice President Yang Shu’an, said that everything was under control and Hangzhou was ready to welcome athletes and officials from Asian National Olympic Committees to enjoy the Asian Games as planned.
“We have full confidence to press ahead in a smooth and coordinated manner,” he said. “The Chinese Olympic Committee will stand step by step with our Hangzhou friends to offer all support.”