Hangzhou, China, July 26, 2023: The Director of the Olympic Council of Asia’s Asian Games Department, Mr. Haider Farman, believes the upcoming Asian Games will have a special role to play in sport and society throughout the continent.
Speaking at the Technical Delegates Conference in Hangzhou, China on Wednesday, July 26, Mr. Farman said: “As the first Asian Games after the Covid-19 health crisis, the Hangzhou Asian Games plays a unique, inspiring and significant role for people in Asia.
“The OCA will, as always, support the Hangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee in its Games preparations, maintain close ties with HAGOC and provide assistance with hosting the event.
“Together, we will make all the necessary efforts to deliver a successful, unique and unforgettable sports and cultural event, and leave a lasting memory of the Hangzhou Asian Games for the Olympic Movement in Asia.”
The 19th Asian Games will be held in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province in eastern China, from September 23 to October 8.
There will be 40 sports, 61 disciplines and 483 events, and the Technical Delegates Conference at the Grand Parkray Hotel on Wednesday brought together the technical experts from the Asian and International Sports Federations who will be in charge of running the competitions.
During the conference, HAGOC presented their plans and procedures on a variety of aspects, including accreditation, transportation, arrival and departure protocol, the Technical Officials Village within the Asian Games Village, medical services and information technology.
“I believe that, through this Technical Delegates Conference, the Technical Delegates and technical officials are able to have a more in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the preparations for Games-related services and Games-time support,” added Mr. Farman.
“Going forward, HAGOC will further optimise services for technical officials which will lay a foundation for the success of the upcoming Hangzhou Asian Games.
“We believe that the Hangzhou Asian Games will be the sports event highlight of Asia in 2023 and will be the best ever Asian Games in history.”
OCA Honorary Life Vice President Mr. Wei Jizhong said it was important for the Technical Delegates to remember that the Asian Games is the property of the OCA and not a series of continental championships being held at the same time. “It is different, and we need the good understanding of all Technical Delegates,” he said.
Mr Wei stressed the importance of the rules of eligibility of athletes, the role of the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) ad-hoc committee in any disputes that may arise in Hangzhou and the formation of an OCA/HAGOC working group to decide the rescheduling of sports events in case of bad weather.
“This time we have a bigger than ever Asian Games, perhaps bigger than the Olympic Games, so I am sure that, with the good understanding of the Technical Delegates, we will work together and make Asian Games new history,” added Mr Wei.
The conference kicked off two days of meetings, competition venue visits and the draw for team sports on Thursday afternoon.