Asian Games 2023 Will Inspire Asia

JAKARTA - The 19th edition of the Asian Games will be held in Hangzhou from September 23 to October 8, 2023. This event will hold 40 sports, 61 disciplines, and 483 matches in the event.

Director of the Asian Olympic Council of the Asian Games department, Haider Farman, believes the upcoming Asian Games will have a special role in sports and society across the Asian continent.

"As the first Asian Games after the COVID-19 health crisis, the Hangzhou Asian Games played a unique, inspiring and significant role for people in Asia," said Farman.

"OCA as usual will support the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee in preparation for its Asian Games, maintain close ties with HAGOC, and provide assistance to host the event."

"Together, we will make all the necessary efforts to provide a successful, unique and unforgettable sporting and cultural event, and leave a lasting memory of the Hangzhou Asian Games for the Olympic Movement in Asia," Farman added, quoted from the official Hangzhou Asian Games website via Antara, Saturday, July 29.

The HAGOC organizing committee has presented their plans and procedures in various aspects, including accreditation, transportation, arrival and departure protocols, Technical Officials Village within the Asian Games Village, health services, and information technology.

"In the future, HAGOC will further optimize the services of technical officials which will be the basis for the success of the Hangzhou Asian Games. We believe that the Hangzhou Asian Games will be in the spotlight of Asian sporting events in 2023 and will be the best Asian Games in history," said Harman.

OCA's Vice President of Honorary Life Wei Jizhong said it was important for the Technical Delegation to remember that the Asian Games belonged to the OCA and not to a series of continental championships held at the same time.

"This is different, and we need a good understanding of all the Technical Delegations," Wei said.

Wei stressed the importance of athletes' feasibility rules, the role of the ad-hoc committee of the Sports Arbitration Court (CAS) in any disputes that may arise in Hangzhou and the establishment of OCA/HAGOC working groups to decide on rescheduling sporting events in the event of bad weather.

"This time we have bigger Asian Games than ever, maybe bigger than the Olympics. So I'm sure, with a good understanding of the Technical Delegation, we will work together and create a new history of the Asian Games," Wei said.