Kuwait City, Kuwait, May 11, 2025: Delegates from 45 Asian National Olympic Committees were greeted to the “heartbeat” of the Olympic Council of Asia as the 45th General Assembly got underway on Sunday evening, May 11.
In his welcome address, Timothy Fok, First Vice President of the Olympic Council of Asia, told his audience, including International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and IOC President-elect Kirsty Coventry, that it was a special moment to be gathered in Kuwait – the heartbeat of Asia.
Fok warmly received the heads of 45 Asian NOCs as well as world sporting leaders, saying: “The Opening Ceremony and General Assembly will display not only the unity of Asia but also the diversity of Asia, the spirit of Asia and pride of Asia – from east to west, north to south.
“It is a special moment to be gathered here in Kuwait – The Home of the OCA! The Headquarters of the OCA! The Heartbeat of the OCA!
Fok, reminding delegates of the extraordinary journey of the OCA, said: “What we have achieved, decade after decade, is truly remarkable, and we have done this Together.
“Our General Assembly will build on this history and legacy and set the course for an even brighter future,” Fok told the audience at the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre in the Kuwaiti capital.
“Welcome to the 45th General Assembly. Welcome to the OCA – the Olympic Council of Asia. Welcome to the OCA – the Olympic Capital of Asia,” Fok added.
IOC President Bach, the President of the Kuwaiti Olympic Committee Sheikh Fahad Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and two legendary Asian Olympians Yao Ming and Mutaz Essa Barshim also addressed the assembly.
The opening ceremony began with a video presentation of the history of the Asian Games and concluded with a vibrant and colourful 45-minute ‘One Asia’ Cultural Performance from musicians and artists from China, India, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Lebanon and hosts Kuwait.
