Astana, Kazakhstan, September 2, 2025: Deputy Director General of the Olympic Council of Asia, Vinod Kumar Tiwari, has emphasised that athletes are the cornerstone of all OCA initiatives as he revealed an increase of funding for Athletes Committees across the region.
Welcoming athlete representatives from 42 National Olympic Committees across Asia at the opening ceremony of the 6th OCA/OS Athletes Forum in Astana, the OCA Deputy Director General underlined the important role they have to play in shaping the future of sport in the continent.
“This Forum is for you! And more importantly, it is shaped by you. Our theme this year, ‘Empowering Voices, Uniting Asia’, reflects what we believe – that athletes should not just be part of the conversation, but leading it,” Tiwari noted.
“At the OCA, athletes are at the heart of everything we do, and we mean it. A good example of that came earlier this year, when many of you shared during our consultative calls that the Athlete Centred Project Fund just wasn’t enough to support the kind of impact you are aiming for. So we listened and acted.
“I’m pleased to announce that the project grant has been increased from US$3,000 to US$5,000. It’s a small but meaningful change, and a direct result of your feedback.
“Whether you are working on clean sport, mental health, youth programmes, or any other important initiative, we want you to have the support you need to lead and make a difference,” Tiwari told the audience.
Tiwari thanked the Government of Kazakhstan, led by the Minister of Tourism and Sports, HE Yerbol Myrzabossynov, and the Kazakhstan NOC led by its President Gennadiy Golovkin, for the warm hospitality and support for the Forum.
The OCA Deputy Director General also paid tribute to Olympic Solidarity and the IOC for their continued partnership, and to ANOC and WADA, among others, for leading key sessions over the two days of the Forum. “Your involvement adds real value to this Forum.”
In closing, Tiwari urged athlete representatives to make the most of this Forum, saying: “Over the next two days, I hope you will use this time to share openly, learn from each other, and build stronger connections across our region. Your voice matters and it is shaping the future of sport in Asia.”
