Astana, Kazakhstan, September 2, 2025: The 6th Olympic Council of Asia/Olympic Solidarity athletes Forum got underway on Tuesday, September 2, bringing together more than 120 representatives from Athletes Committees across Asia, officials from the IOC, and other sporting organisations.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry kick-started the two-day meeting, September 2-3, at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Astana, with a video message during which she urged delegates from 42 National Olympic Committees is Asia to make “your voices heard … to shape a stronger future for sport.”
The theme for the 2025 Athletes Forum – it is held every two years – is ‘Empowering Voices, Uniting Asia’, reflecting the OCA’s commitment to placing athletes at the heart of the Olympic Movement in Asia.
Ding Ning, Chair of the OCA Athletes Committee, in her opening address, said: “This Forum is a chance for us to learn from each other, reflect on the challenges and successes in our regions, and help shape the future of sports in Asia with athletes at the centre.
“Your presence here shows the strength of our community and the power of athlete leadership. We look forward to hearing your voices and working together to make a lasting impact,” added Ding, a three-time Olympic gold medallist in table tennis.
Athlete representatives got an early boost when OCA Deputy Director General Vinod Kumar Tiwari revealed that from this year, the annual grant for the Athlete Centred Project Fund had been increased from US$3,000 to US$5,000 per NOC.
“It’s a small but meaningful change, and a direct result of your feedback,” Tiwari told his audience during the opening ceremony.
The objectives of the two-day meeting are:
· Provide a platform for athletes to share their experiences, ideas, and concerns in a supportive environment.
· Strengthen the role and capacity of Athletes Committees across Asia.
· Raise awareness and understanding of key topics such as safeguarding, anti-doping, competition manipulation, and athlete welfare.
· To encourage open dialogue between athletes, administrators, and stakeholders.
· Inspire athlete-led initiatives and empower athlete representatives to take on leadership roles.
· To promote unity and collaboration among Asian athletes across cultures and regions, and
· To ensure that athlete voices help shape the future direction of sport in Asia.
The Chair of the IOC’s Athletes Commission, Emma Terho pressed athlete representatives to make the most of this Forum.
“Your work is very crucial and our job is to make your voices heard. As the IOC President said in her speech ‘This Forum is really your space’, and I encourage you to make the most of this opportunity,” Terho said.
