Hangzhou, China, September 22, 2023: The Acting President of the Olympic Council of Asia, Raja Randhir Singh, highlighted the capabilities of Asia as a prime partner in the global Olympic movement.
Addressing the media in the Main Press Centre in Hangzhou on Friday, Raja Randhir said Asia was the only continent “ready to host any games any time and back-to-back”, referring to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in 2021 and the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022.
“In 2029 we will have our Asian Winter Games in Saudi Arabia, and who would have imagined that, and we had one of the finest World Cups in Qatar last year,” he added.
“Qatar was able to host the ANOC World Beach Games in 2019 just six months after the original host withdrew.
“As for China – it is unbelievable. The Olympic Games and then the Winter Olympic Games in the same city.
“Where does this happen? It happens in Asia.”
Raja Randhir said the message from Asia was one of strength and unity, and he congratulated the Chinese Olympic Committee for the strong hosting concept instilled in the sports authorities.
Looking ahead to the 19th Asian Games, which open on Saturday, September 23 after eight years of preparations and a one-year postponement, Raja Randhir said: “The whole opening ceremony is, for us, going to be exciting.
“My daughter is competing so, for me, it will be very interesting to see her in the march past and competing.”
The Acting OCA President said history was repeating itself, as his father, Bhalindra Singh, headed the Asian Olympic movement in 1982 when Randhir competed in shooting at New Delhi.
His daughter, Rajeshwari Ria Kumari, will represent India in the trap shooting event at the 19th Asian Games.
“History has repeated itself to see your own child compete in the Games – but all athletes are family to us,” he said.
Raja Randhir spoke highly of the Asian Games motto, “Heart to Heart, @Future”, which perfectly captured the appeal of the Games through sport and the youth to the world in terms of peace and harmony.
