ALL SET FOR SHANTOU MEET THE MASCOT FOR AYG 2021 - OCA Games Update OCA Commi ee News OCA Women in Sport OCA Sports Diary - Olympic Council of Asia
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Official Newsletter of the Olympic Council of Asia Edition 51 - December 2020
ALL SET FOR SHANTOU
MEET THE MASCOT FOR AYG 2021
OCA Games Update
OCA Commi�ee News
OCA Women in Sport
OCA Sports Diary
Contents
Inside Sporting Asia Edition 51 – December 2020
3 President’s Message
10 4–9 Six pages of NOC News in Pictures
10 – 12 Inside the OCA
13 – 14 OCA Games Update: Sanya 2020, Shantou 2021
15 – 26 Countdown to 19th Asian Games
13 16 – 17
18
Two years to go to Hangzhou 2022
Geely Auto chairs sponsor club
19 Sport Climbing’s rock-solid venue
20 – 21 59 Pictograms in 40 sports
27
22 A ‘smart’ Asian Games
23 Hangzhou 2022 launches official magazine
24 – 25 Photo Gallery from countdown celebrations
26 Hi, Asian Games!
27 Asia’s Olympic Era: Tokyo 2020, Beijing 2022
31 28 – 31 Women in Sport
32 – 33 Road to Tokyo 2020
34 – 37 Obituary
38 News in Brief
33 39 OCA Sports Diary
40 Hangzhou 2022 Harmony of Colours
OCA Sponsors’ Club
*
Page 02
President’s Message
OCA HAS BIG ROLE TO PLAY IN OLYMPIC
MOVEMENT’S RECOVERY IN 2021
Sporting Asia is the official
newsletter of the Olympic
Council of Asia, published
quarterly.
Executive Editor / Director General
Husain Al-Musallam
husain@ocasia.org
Director, Int’l & NOC Relations
Vinod Tiwari
vinod@ocasia.org
Director, Asian Games Department
Haider A. Farman
haider@ocasia.org
Editor
Jeremy Walker
jeremy@ocasia.org
D espite the difficult circumstances we
have found ourselves in over the past few
Through our online meetings with the
games organising committees over the past
months, the spirit and professionalism of our few weeks, the OCA can feel the pride
Executive Secretary Asian sports family has really shone behind the scenes and also appreciate the
Nayaf Sraj through. total dedication towards delivering a safe
nayaf@ocasia.org and successful event for the whole of Asia to
The OCA has managed to conduct several attend and enjoy.
Olympic Council of Asia committee meetings online and keep in
PO Box 6706, Hawalli
Zip Code 32042 touch with our partners and friends around The same can be said of the OCA Evalua-
Kuwait the continent. tion Committee’s November visit to the two
Telephone: +965 22274277 - 88
cities bidding to host our Asian Games in
Fax: +965 22274280 - 90 Not only have these meetings enabled us to 2030 – Riyadh and Doha.
Email: info@ocasia.org
Website: www.ocasia.org
discuss important issues of the day and plan
our policy for the future, they have also The detailed planning, the creativity and the
highlighted the spirit and passion of our initiatives shown, together with the genuine
stakeholders. excitement and expectation connected with
such a project, highly impressed our team,
The participation levels of the online as did the wonderful hospitality.
committee meetings have been high and
this reflects the interest and the camaraderie All these factors convince me that the OCA
that exists within our movement and the will play a very important role in the recov-
determination to keep moving forward. ery of Asia in 2021, not only from a sports
perspective but also in a humanitarian way
I would like to particularly thank the organ- by bringing everyone together in a spirit of
ising committees of our upcoming multi- unity and celebration.
sport games for continuing to work towards
Front Cover: their targets and goals and for following Thank you everyone for your hard work and
Meet Jinfengwa – the merry their detailed master plans step by step, day commitment to the cause of Olympism in
mascot of the OCA’s 3rd by day. Asia and around the world.
Asian Youth Games which
are due to be held in As you know we have three big events next
Shantou, China from year – the Asian Beach Games in April, the
November 20-28, 2021. Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in May
and the Asian Youth Games in November –
The mascot is named after and the following year we will celebrate our Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah
the Jinfeng city flower. 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022. President, Olympic Council of Asia
Page 03
NOC News in Pictures
SRI Lanka NOC Women’s Committee launched its “Harassment is No Game” campaign on October 13 via a Facebook Live
Event. The organisers are looking to address and eradicate all forms of harassment - such as mental, physical, verbal and
sexual abuse and bullying - that take place in the sports community and create a safe space for athletes to perfect their craft,
said Women’s Committee Chair Niloo Jayatilake.
NOC Cambodia Secretary General Vath Chamroeun has HONG Kong, China NOC’s 63rd Festival of Sport was
received a Certificate of Recognition from the World moved from April to October because of the pandemic.
Olympians Association allowing him to carry the letters The slogan for 2020 is "Sport for All - Together We Start
OLY after his name in recognition of his service to the OUR Fitness Journey" to encourage the public to stay
Olympic movement. Vath, 47, represented Cambodia in active post-COVID. Cyclist Vivian Ma Wing Yu is one of
freestyle wrestling at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games. four ambassadors chosen to encourage the public to join
in the festival.
Page 04
NOC News in Pictures
SINGAPORE National Olympic Council Vice President Dr
Tan Eng Liang has announced he is stepping down from
the post after 28 years. “He has been a tremendous
servant to sport in Singapore. He passionately cares about
our sports and our athletes and he is irreplaceable for
what he brings to the table,” said SNOC President Tan
Chuan-Jin.
MONGOLIA NOC President Mr. Naidan Tuvshinbayar opened a seminar for national sports associations which covered key
areas of management and operations. Representatives of 42 NSAs took part.
HIS Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, First UZBEKISTAN and China NOCs signed a Memorandum of
Deputy President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Cooperation at an online ceremony on September 14.
Sports and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, Uzbekistan NOC was represented by its President, Rustam
welcomed the President of the Spanish Olympic Commit- Shaabdurakhmanov, Secretary General Oybek Kasymov
tee, His Excellency Mr. Alejandro Blanco, to his office. and Director of International Relations Kamoliddin Erga-
They discussed the strengthening of relations between the shev. Gou Zhongwen, President of the Chinese Olympic
two countries in sport and the development of the sports Committee, and Secretary General Song Keqin repre-
movement. sented China. (Photo: Uzbekistan NOC)
Page 05
NOC News in Pictures
OMAN Olympic Committee
Chairman Sayyid Khalid bin
Hamad Al Busaidi signed a
marketing agreement with the
President of the Ibtihal Al Zadjali
Foundation for Trade and
Services, Ibtihal Bint Ghazi
Al-Zadjali, on October 21. The
company will market and promote
the activities and programmes of
the OOC and manage the activi-
ties in coordination with the
relevant sub-committees.
(https://ooc.om)
UNITED Arab Emirates NOC
Executive Director Mohammed
bin Darwish received His Excel-
lency Noboru Sekiguchi, Japa-
nese Consul General in Dubai,
and members of the Japanese
School to review the design of
formal attire and sportswear for
the UAE delegation at the Tokyo
Olympics next year.
CHINESE Taipei Olympic Com-
mittee Secretary General Frances
Lee (right) receives the Outstand-
ing Contribution Award (Sports
and Culture) from the Department
of NGO International Affairs of
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The
award was presented at the 20th
anniversary celebration of the
government department that
recognises the work in society of
non-governmental organisations
such as the CTOC.
Page 06
NOC News in Pictures
AFGHANISTAN National Olympic
Committee President Dr. Hafizullah
Wali Rahimi took part in a football
match between the NOC and the
Ministry of Public Health to mark the
return of the game after an absence
of several months due to COVID-19.
The match was supported by the
Afghanistan Football Federation and
was played under the slogan “We will
defeat the coronavirus.”
VIETNAM Olympic Committee organised an Olympic and IOC Member and Indian Olympic Association President
Sports Management Course for sports officials at Bac Dr. Narinder Dhruv Batra attended the launch of the new
Ninh from October 5-8. About 50 people attended the logo of the Sports Authority of India at the Major Dhyan
course and Vietnam NOC hopes the experience will help Chand National Hockey Stadium in Delhi on September
create a new generation of sports leaders in the country. 30. Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju led the launch ceremony.
WITH the direct support of Emomali
Rahmon, President of the Republic of Tajiki-
stan and President of the NOC, more than
350 teenage athletes from around the coun-
try will be able to live in refurbished comfort
at the newly-renovated boarding school of
sports in Dushanbe. The opening ceremony
took place on October 15, with Tajikistan
NOC Secretary General Abdullozoda
Muhammadsho and the First Deputy Chair-
man of the Committee for Youth and Sport,
Nazarzoda Rizo, among the top officials in
attendance. The school was established in
1972. (@Tajikistan NOC)
Page 07
NOC News in Pictures KAZAKHSTAN Olympic athletes will conduct online physical education classes for schoolchildren thanks to a joint project between the NOC and e-learning website Kundelik.kz. An agreement on strategic cooperation was signed by the Secretary General of Kazakhstan NOC, Andrei Kryukov, and the Director General of Kundelik, Mukhtar Ilyasov. (Kazakhstan NOC) SAUDI Arabia Olympic Committee President HRH Prince MORE than 100 athletes and coaches attended a two-day Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal and the President of United seminar on sports injuries, sports medicine and sports Through Sports, Mr. Stephan Fox, signed a Memorandum science organised by the Yemen Olympic Committee in of Understanding on Tuesday, October 6. The agreement cooperation with the Yemeni Federation of Sports Medi- with the IOC-recognised organisation will run for two cine on October 4-5 at the Olympic Centre in Sana'a'. years and will promote and develop sport and youth NOC Secretary General Mohammed Abdullah Alahjeri locally and around the world. gave the opening address. Page 08
NOC News in Pictures
PAKISTAN Olympic Asso-
ciation President Lt. Gen.
(ret) Syed Arif Hasan
welcomed HE Mir Afzal
Khan, Chief Minister of
Gilgit - Baltistan, to
Pakistan Olympic House in
Lahore on October 10.
Their discussions focused
on the promotion and
development of Olympic
sports and the Olympic
movement in Gilgit - Baltis-
tan. POA Secretary
General Muhammad
Khalid Mahmood briefed
him on the functions and
operations of the POA and
further shared the objec-
tives of both the national
and provincial Olympic
Associations - to instill in
the youth the highest ethics
through Olympism.
MALAYSIA NOC conducted the third session of the OCA Media Committee Chairman and Executive Board
Advanced Sport Management Course from September member Mr Charles Lo Keng Chio was re-elected Presi-
7-10 with the attendance of 16 participants from National dent of the Sports and Olympic Committee of Macau,
Sports Associations, State Sports Council, Armed Forces China at the General Assembly on October 9. Mr Lo, who
Sports Council and sports clubs. became President in 2008, will serve his fourth, four-year
term through to 2024.
Page 09
Inside the OCA
SHAIKHA HAYAT OUTLINES ‘WOMEN IN SPORT’ STRATEGY
T he Chair of the OCA’s Women and Sport Committee, HE
Shaikha Hayat bint Abdulaziz Al Khalifa of Bahrain, outlined the
strategy and achievements of the women and sport movement at
two high-profile webinars.
The two events were the Women's Sport Forum held by the
United Arab Emirates General Authority for Sport - in coopera-
tion with the Fatima Bint Mubarak Academy for Women’s Sport
– and the Saudi Athletes’ Forum conducted by the Saudi Arabian
Olympic Committee.
The Women’s Sport Forum 2020 webinar was held on the
occasion of Emirati Women’s Day and featured several promi-
nent female sports figures from the UAE and GCC countries.
The event aimed to shed light on the achievements of Emirati
women in various sectors, especially the sports sector, and the
importance of women’s contributions to an active and healthy Bahrain Olympic Committee Board member Shaikha Hayat
lifestyle in society. bint Abdulaziz Al Khalifa (Photo: AboutHer.com)
Shaikha Hayat, who is a member of the IOC Women and Sport sponsorship for elite athletes.
Commission, focused on the role of government and the private
sector in supporting women’s sport and highlighted 19 major The Saudi Athletes’ Forum attracted 10,000 participants over
points. These included the importance of implementing IOC two days and Shaikha Hayat spoke on the theme “Empowering
strategy, establishing sports academies and attracting corporate Women in the Sports Sector”.
RITA SUBOWO BECOMES ASIAN VOLLEYBALL PRESIDENT
O CA Honorary Vice President Rita Subowo of Indonesia was
elected the new Asian Volleyball Confederation President during
the 23rd AVC General Assembly held online out of Bangkok on
October 26.
Mrs Subowo, a former President of the Indonesian Olympic
Committee, was elected by acclamation as the sole candidate
for the AVC Presidency for the term 2020-2023.
Having served as AVC Executive Vice President since 2015, Mrs
Subowo becomes the eighth AVC President - and first female -
in the history of the continent’s volleyball governing body.
“I would like to thank you all deep from my heart,” she said.
“It’s not easy for me but your trust makes me confident. Volley-
ball is my life and I will continue to show my dedication to volley-
ball.”
Mrs Subowo was a pioneer for beach volleyball in Asia, and
New AVC President Rita Subowo (Photo: AVC)
played a large part in the success of the OCA’s inaugural Asian
Beach Games in Bali, Indonesia in 2008.
Saleh A. Bin Nasser (Saudi Arabia), who held the role from
She will pick up the reins from the outgoing AVC President, Dr 2008 to 2020.
Page 10Inside the OCA
OCA HOLDS THIRD CC MEETING WITH HANGZHOU 2022
T he OCA and the Hangzhou Asian Games Organising
Committee (HAGOC) came together online for the third Coordi-
Construction is expected to finish in March 2021 and test events
in some venues will be able to take place from June 2021 – over
nation Committee meeting for the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou one year before the 19th Asian Games which are due to be held
2022 on September 8. from September 10-25, 2022.
Summing up the CC meeting, the OCA Director
General, Husain Al-Musallam, said: "The OCA is
very happy with the excellent progress and achieve-
ments of HAGOC. Time is short, the challenge is
huge but we are confident that we will make it the
best Asian Games in history and the best model
for multi-sport events in the world."
Chen Weiqiang, Vice Mayor of Hangzhou and
Deputy Secretary General of HAGOC, thanked
the OCA for the "valuable support and sugges-
tions" during the meeting.
"We still have two years to go and we are full of
confidence that, with the guidance of the OCA, we
are going to make the 19th Asian Games Hang-
zhou 2022 a great success. Let's work together for
The HAGOC team at the video conference. the next two years even closer than before."
The organising committee, supported by the General Administra- The Chairman of the OCA Coordination Committee, OCA Life
tion of Sport in China and the Chinese Olympic Committee in Vice President Raja Randhir Singh, closed the meeting by saying:
Beijing, presented progress reports on seven major themes "There is no doubt in my mind that we will have a great Asian
including the sports programme, venue construction, marketing, Games - one of the finest we have had.
torch relay and Asian Games Festival and Expo.
“The way the organising committee is working and the way we
The meeting heard that 12 of the 53 competition venues are are cooperating together, even though we cannot visit Hang-
new, 33 are being renovated and eight will be temporary. zhou at this moment, is a very positive sign for the future."
OCA Coordination Committee meets online to assess the progress of Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games.
Page 11Inside the OCA
OCA COMMITTEES ADAPT TO ONLINE MEETINGS
W ith face-to-face meetings out of the question due to the
pandemic-enforced travel restrictions, the OCA has adapted by
conducting a series of committee meetings via the Zoom video
conference link.
Far from the committee members in their respective countries
and regions feeling isolated in these difficult times, the virtual
meetings brought everyone together in a friendly, business-like
atmosphere and enhanced the spirit of unity and cooperation.
With the help of the OCA HQ staff, and the WhatsApp group
communication tool, meetings were held for various commit- Charles Lo conducts the meeting from Macau, China.
tees, including:
Media Committee: The Chairman, Charles Lo, assembled the
members on September 15 and heard reports on the OCA
media channels such as Sporting Asia, the revamped official
website and the expanding social media footprint. Preparations
for the 19th Asian Games were also outlined, with 9,000 media
(broadcasting and press) expected to register.
HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal.
Education Committee: Chaired for the first time by the
President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee, HRH Prince Ryu Seung-min.
Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, the committee gathered on Septem-
ber 3 and discussed the crucial role the Education Committee Entourage Committee: Under the Chairman, IOC Member
can play in supporting education initiatives as Asia looks to Ryu Seung-min of Korea, the committee met on September 21.
recover from Covid-19. The main focus of the agenda was to establish the terms of
reference in line with the IOC principles and with an Asian
flavour.
Yu Kyung-sun.
Song Luzeng of China.
Sport and Environment Committee: The impact of the Covid-
Sports Committee: The meeting was held on September 7 – 19 pandemic around Asia was brought home during a meeting
one day before the third OCA Coordination Committee meeting of the Environment Committee on September 22 under the
for the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022. Chairman Song chairmanship of Yu Kyung-sun of Korea. Members outlined the
Luzeng of China provided details on the sports programmes of state of play in their own regions and the measures taken to
the three OCA games to be held in 2021. adjust to the situation.
Page 12Games Update
Sanya 2020
OCA MEETING FOCUSES ON HEALTH PROTOCOLS FOR ABG6
T he OCA conducted the third Coordination Committee
meeting with the organising committee of the 6th Asian Beach
were being taken to guarantee the health of all participants.
Games in Sanya, China by Zoom video conference on Tuesday, “We will take everything into consideration,” he said. “We feel
November 3. the Olympic spirit is becoming more important and we will keep
in close contact with the OCA and join hands to ensure a
Over 3,000 athletes and officials from the OCA’s 45 National successful Asian Beach Games.”
Olympic Committees have registered to take part in the event
but this number is expected to increase to 4,000 by the time In other news:
accreditation closes on December 31.
A newly built Games Village will accommodate 4,000
The major talking point was the health and safety of the athletes athletes and officials in three residential zones, with the OCA,
and the protocols required in their home country, on arrival in technical officials for each sport, media and doping control
China and before returning home. officers accommodated in nearby hotels.
“It is an urgent issue and a key point for the participation and the Doping control will be managed by the China
success of the Asian Beach Games,” said OCA Director Anti-Doping Association (CHINADA) and the samples will be
General Husain Al Musallam. tested at the WADA-approved lab in Beijing.
The Deputy Secretary General of SABGOC, Sanya Vice Mayor The accreditation system opened on October 1 and will
Zhou Jun, said the prevention and control of the coronavirus was run until December 31. See: https://acr.sanya2020.cn or
a “big challenge” for the organising committee and that all steps http://www.sanya2020.cn.
Dates:
April 2-10, 2021
The opening ceremony will be held in a newly constructed Asian Beach Games Park at Sports:
the tourist hotspot of Tianya-Haijiao on April 2. (Photo: Feng Shuo). 16
Disciplines:
18
YAYA the mascot deer
Events:
joined 2,000 “vloggers” at
82
a social media carnival
Prelim rounds (team sports):
from October 19-21 and
From March 31
checked out the feast of
Torch Relay:
video bloggers on Sanya
March 3 to April 1
and the Asian Beach
Location:
Games.
Hainan Province
Page 13Games Update
Shantou 2021
FULL STEAM AHEAD FOR ASIAN YOUTH GAMES
T he OCA Coordination Committee held an online meeting
with the Shantou Asian Youth Games 2021 organising commit-
“I think it is a very good initiative by the IOC and it will be great
for the IOC and OCA to work together on this programme and
tee on Monday, November 16. enlighten the young people on how they can contribute to peace
and prosperity through sport,” said Raja Randhir.
The meeting was chaired by OCA Life Vice President Raja
Randhir Singh and covered a wide range of topics including the SAYGOC has also released the official emblem, mascot and slogan.
sports programme, venue construction, the AYG Village and the
torch relay. The emblem is based on the ancient red-coloured merchant
boats to be found in Shantou port; the mascot is named
The third edition of the AYG will take place from November “Jinfengwa” and is inspired by the Shantou city flower, Jinfeng;
20-28, 2021 and for the first time will incorporate the IOC’s and the slogan “Surging Waves, Dynamic Youth” reflects
Youth Olympic Games educational platform. the ocean spirit and the vigour and passion of Asian youth.
With the IOC’s next YOG in Dakar, Senegal postponed from There will be 25 competition venues, with construction work
2022 to 2026, the IOC is encouraging the five continental estimated at 65 per cent, and the AYG Village on the campus of
associations to adopt the so-called DNA of the YOG. The five Shantou University will accommodate up to 4,000 athletes and
major themes are Olympic Values, injury prevention, protection officials.
against harassment and abuse in sport, career management
and competition manipulation. The torch will be lit on June 21 in a ceremony on Nan’Ao Island.
AYG
HISTORY
AYG1:
Singapore 2009
AYG2:
Nanjing, China 2013 SPORTS PROGRAMME
AYG3: The OCA has confirmed 18 sports for AYG3, with 158 events planned: aquatics
Shantou, China 2021 (swimming, diving and water polo), athletics, badminton, basketball 3x3, beach
volleyball, dragon boat racing, football, gymnastics, golf, handball, hip hop dance
AYG4: (breaking), sport climbing, rugby sevens, surfing, table tennis, taekwondo, wind
Tashkent, Uzbekistan 2025 surfing and wushu.
Page 14LET'S HAND IT TO
HANGZHOU!
N E X T A S I A N G A M E S H O S T C I T Y C E L E B R A T E S T W O -Y E A R C O U N T D O W N
19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 Prestige Partner19th Asian Games
Hangzhou 2022
HANGZHOU HOSTS COLOURFUL COUNTDOWN CARNIVAL
H angzhou welcomed the 19th Asian Games to their city two
years in advance with a day-long carnival of music and dance
The September 22 gala incorporated four main events during a
theatrical performance by day at the Great Hall of the People of
and sports celebrations on Tuesday, September 22. Zhejiang Province and a music party by night in downtown Hang-
zhou.
The capital city of Zhejiang province in eastern China held a
memorable event to round off a series of countdown celebra-
tions to mark the 19th Asian Games, which will run from Septem- The four elements were:
ber 10-25, 2022.
the presentation of the 59 sport pictograms in 40 sports
the launch of the campaign to choose a volunteer
slogan
the introduction of the Asian Games Documentary
the start of the "Smart Asian Games One Stop" mini
programme.
As well as the four main developments on the road to Hangzhou
2022, organising committee HAGOC produced a series of
interactive activities such as cultural and sports exhibitions,
music performances and a national fitness campaign while
creating a party atmosphere to promote, welcome and support
Hangzhou 2022 put on a dazzling show. the 19th Asian Games.
19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 Prestige Partner
Page 1219th Asian Games
Hangzhou 2022
Sport Pictograms Smart Asian Games One Stop Shop
After a promotional video of the 59 pictograms in 40 sports, The Smart Asian Games One Stop Shop mini programme
athletes held display cards on stage and performed movements provided the audience with 18 kinds of smart Asian Games-
corresponding to the design of each discipline. This was accom- related services such as travel, catering, hotels, tourism and
panied by a spectacular light and shadow show as the dynamic tickets. It also created a one-stop digital viewing platform for all
images were projected on to the big screen. The pictograms aspects of the Asian Games and highlighted the smart services
were designed by the same team that produced the “surging available through mobile phones. Nearly 100 Asian Games
tides” emblem of the 19th Asian Games and will be widely used stores will be established in Hangzhou and other cities to allow
in promotion and publicity along with the emblem, slogan and people to access the smart applications and experience the
mascots. (See Pages 20-21) charm and services of the co-hosting cities.
Volunteer Slogan
Volunteer representatives from all walks of life joined together to
display their unity and support for Hangzhou and the 19th Asian
Games. Many of them served as volunteers for the G20 Summit
in Hangzhou in 2016 and for other major international events,
and some also fought in the front lines against COVID-19. The
volunteer slogan must capture “the spirit of dedication, friend-
ship, mutual assistance and progress" throughout society. Entries
were accepted online and offline over a five-week period.
Asian Games Documentary
IOC Member and Chinese Olympic Committee Vice President Li
Lingwei took part in the introduction of the Asian Games Docu-
mentary, which is being produced by HAGOC to chronicle the
history of the Asian Games from the first edition in 1951. (See
Page 26) Volunteers will play a crucial role at the Asian Games.
19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 Prestige Partner
Page 1319th Asian Games
Hangzhou 2022
ASIAN GAMES PARTNERS ESTABLISH SPONSORS CLUB
T he organisers of the 19th Asian Games have formed a
Sponsors Club involving the Prestige Partners and Exclusive
DAS-Security became the official cyber security partner
of HAGOC when signing a Prestige Partner contract at a
Suppliers of Hangzhou 2022. Geely Auto has been appointed ceremony in Wuzhen on November 23. DAS-Security has
the first rotating chair of the club. provided cyber security services at the Beijing Olympics in 2008,
Guangzhou Asian Games in 2010, Shenzhen 2011 World
As a second part of the agreement, the Geely Preface (Xing Rui) Universiade and the World Military Games in Wuhan in 2019.
has been selected as the official vehicle of the Asian Games.
Prestige Partners (10): Geely Auto, Alibaba, Alipay,
The Deputy Secretary-General of HAGOC, Mao Genhong, China Telecom, China Mobile, Industrial and Commercial Bank
said: “Hangzhou 2022 is not only a sports extravaganza but an of China (ICBC), 361 Sport, Zhejiang Loong Airlines, China
excellent platform for enterprises to present themselves. Pacific Insurance Group Co. Ltd and DAS-Security.
“The reason we have established this Sponsors Club is that we Exclusive Suppliers (2): Robam and Monalisa.
hope to promote information-sharing, communication and
cooperation between the sponsors to build a new model for
sports marketing and create a win-win situation for Hangzhou
2022 and its sponsors.”
In other news:
China Pacific Insurance Group Co. Ltd. signed with
HAGOC as official insurance service partner at a ceremony in
Shanghai on November 5. It will provide a package of
insurance protection and comprehensive risk management HAGOC Deputy Secretary-General Mao Genhong (left) at the
launch of the Sponsors Club on October 18. (Photo: Geely Auto)
services for the 19th Asian Games.
19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 Prestige Partner
Enjoy E-mobility @ the Asian Games with Geely
Zhejiang Geely Holding Group was founded in 1986 and entered
the automotive industry in 1997. Since then, it has grown with a
dedication towards technological innovation, talent cultivation,
tempering of core strengths, sustainability. Geely has developed
into a global enterprise engaged in the design, R&D, production,
sales, and service of vehicles, powertrains, and key components.
The Group is in the midst of transforming into a global mobility
technology enterprise engaged in the fields of mobility services,
digital technology, financial services, education, sports, and other
business. In 2019, Geely Holding Group was listed on the Fortune
Global 500 for eight consecutive years with annual sales of over
2.17 million vehicles, assets totaling over 330 billion RMB, and
employing more than 120,000 people.
Headquartered in Hangzhou, the group owns several brands
including Geely Auto, Lynk & Co, Geometry, Volvo Cars, Polestar,
PROTON, Lotus, London Electric Vehicle Company, Farizon Auto,
Terrafugia, CAOCAO, Qianjiang Motorcycle, Joma, Saxo Bank,
Mitime Group, etc. The group and its subsidiaries have set up a
global development network with R&D and design centres located
around the world. The Group operates world-class manufacturing
facilities in China, US, UK, Sweden, Belgium, Belarus, and Malaysia.
Geely is also the largest shareholder in Volvo AB and Daimler AG.
In April 2019, Geely Holding Group became the official prestige
partner of the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou. Under the slogan
“Enjoy E-mobility @ the Asian Games with Geely,” the Group will
empower the games with green, intelligent, and humanistic
technologies. Geely will develop a series of full autonomous
Page 02 mobility solutions by 2022 to service the 19th Asian Games.19th Asian Games
Hangzhou 2022
SPORT CLIMBING VENUE LOOKS ROCK SOLID
S port climbing has quickly established itself as one of the most
exciting and entertaining sports around.
of the silk industry, combined with the unique texture of fabrics
and the aesthetics of rock climbing.
It was a big hit at the 18th Asian Games in co-host
city Palembang, drawing large crowds of spectators
who were enthralled by the tension and amazed by
the agility and strength of the athletes.
The same can be said for the ANOC World Beach
Games in Doha in October 2019, when the scene
was set for the Olympic Games debut of sport climb-
ing – or rock climbing as it also known – at Tokyo
2020.
The 19th Asian Games will build on this success and
present the sport at a newly constructed stadium in
Shaoxing – the largest city outside of Hangzhou to
The attractive design of the Yangshan Rock Climbing Centre.
host sports at the Asian Games.
The Yangshan Rock Climbing Centre in Keqiao District recently Shaoxing, which is 52km from Hangzhou, will host five
passed the evaluation inspection by organising committee disciplines at the 19th Asian Games: baseball/softball, basket-
HAGOC and looks set to stage a world-class climbing event. ball, sport climbing and volleyball.
The design of the venue is inspired by a silk cocoon, the symbol (Photo: 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 Facebook)
19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 Prestige Partner
ICBC | Integrity Leads to Prosperity
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (hereinafter
referred to as ICBC) was established on 1 January 1984,
through its continuous endeavor and stable development,
the Bank has developed into the leading bank in the world,
possessing an excellent customer base, a diversified
business structure, strong innovation capabilities and
market competitiveness. The Bank regards service as the
very foundation to seek further development and adheres to
creating value through services while providing a compre-
hensive range of financial products and services to 7,033
thousand corporate customers and 607 million personal
customers.
The Bank has been consciously integrating the social responsibilities with its development
strategy and operation and management activities, and gaining wide recognition in the
aspects of promoting inclusive finance, supporting targeted poverty relief, protecting
environment and resources and participating in public welfare undertakings. The Bank was
ranked the 1st place among the Top 1000 World Banks by The Banker, ranked 1st place in
the Global 2000 listed by Forbes and topped the sub-list of commercial banks of the Global
500 in Fortune for the sixth consecutive year, and took the 1st place among the Top 500
Banking Brands of Brand Finance for the third consecutive year. 12th September 2019,
ICBC has become official prestige banking service partner of the 19th Asian Games Hang-
zhou 2022.
Page 39
Page 3519th Asian Games
Hangzhou 2022
ASIAN GAMES PICTOGRAMS
Organising committee HAGOC has issued the official sport pictograms for the 19th Asian Games. They
cover 59 disciplines in 40 sports and are set against the backdrop of the "surging tides" emblem.
Competitive Sports / 22 Disciplines
Combat Sports/ 9 Disciplines
Page 2019th Asian Games
Hangzhou 2022
Ball Sports / 18 Disciplines
Aquatics / 10 Disciplines
Page 2119th Asian Games
Hangzhou 2022
ALL DRESSED UP FOR A ‘SMART’ ASIAN GAMES
W ith Hangzhou
firmly established as a
The list of newly franchised products also includes tea cups with
mascot-themed lids and money boxes.
major international
e-commerce centre and The white t-shirt with the distinctive design of the Hangzhou
high-tech hub, organisers 2022 “Surging Tides” emblem was launched on October 10 –
are promising a “smart” another reason to look forward to a “smart” Asian Games from
Asian Games in 2022. a fashion point of view!
The same applies to the
eye-catching Asian Games In other news on the merchandise front:
products, notably the
fashionable clothes now The autumn fair recruiting sellers for licensed commodi-
becoming available as the ties was held online on November 2. This was the fourth time the
merchandise campaign fair had been held and the second time online.
continues to expand.
Over 100 representatives and staff from more than 40
The black sweat shirt seen franchised manufacturing enterprises, authorised retailers and
here is among the latest sponsors from across the country participated in the fair through
selection of 13 items to be a live streaming platform.
released and the design
gives pride of place to the HAGOC set up an Asian Games promotion pavilion at
Big Lotus – main stadium the 14th Hangzhou Cultural and Creative Industry Expo from
of the Hangzhou Olympic October 29 to November 1. It was the first time for HAGOC to
International Expo Park. join this event.
19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 Prestige Partner
Page 10
1419th Asian Games
Hangzhou 2022
READ ALL ABOUT IT! HANGZHOU 2022 LAUNCHES OFFICIAL MAGAZINE
H angzhou Asian Games organising committee HAGOC
launched the official magazine for the 19th Asian Games on
countdown and provide a one-stop media platform to learn
about all aspects of the Asian Games.
Wednesday, October 21.
The official journal, sponsored by HAGOC, is printed in full
The magazine, known as Hangzhou 2022, is a bilingual publica- colour with lavish illustrations and informative text. The layout
tion in Chinese and English and will record the preparations and conforms to the design style of international mainstream media
major developments leading up to the 19th Asian Games in two and with distinctive characteristics, said HAGOC.
years’ time.
The contents will include Asian Games sports, Asian Games city
and Asian Games brands and will set the scene for the events
about to unfold from September 10-25, 2022.
HAGOC held an inauguration ceremony to mark the first
edition of Hangzhou 2022, which is datelined October 20,
2020.
The cover headline says “A call to the world” and includes the
“surging tides” emblem as well as the official slogan, “Heart to
Heart, @Future”, and the three sporty robot mascots.
The President of the Olympic Council of Asia, HE Sheikh Ahmad
Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, sent a congratulatory message to HAGOC
and said the magazine would capture the excitement of the Issue One of Hangzhou 2022.
19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 Prestige Partner
Page 11
Page 1419th Asian Games
Hangzhou 2022
Countdown Ceremony Photo Gallery @Hagoc
The whole community supports Hangzhou 2022. The launch of the 59 pictograms.
We salute you! Excitement in the crowd for the evening's music party.
19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 Prestige Partner
Page 3419th Asian Games
Hangzhou 2022
A proud young man displays his Asian Games donation certificate.
Students display their pride for their home city. A beautiful ballet production delighted the audience.
19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 Prestige Partner
’
Page 35
ALIPAY BROTHER BRAND19th Asian Games
Hangzhou 2022
OCA INVITES NOCS TO JOIN HAGOC PROJECT
T he Olympic Council of Asia is calling on its 45 National
Olympic Committees to contribute to the production of a
The circular outlines six major themes and provides examples,
such as the rise of kabaddi from rural India to popular Asian
ground-breaking “Hi, Asian Games” documentary to be aired in Games sport and the journey to the top of women’s badminton
the spring of 2022. by Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei. (Photo: Olympic Channel)
“We believe this will be a
wonderful opportunity to
showcase sport in Asia as well
as being a valuable contribu-
tion to the Asian Games
brand,” said a circular to the
NOCs signed by OCA
Director General Husain Al
Musallam and HAGOC
Deputy Secretary General
Chen Weiqiang, who is also
Vice Mayor of Hangzhou.
Each NOC is being asked to
contribute story ideas, text,
photographs and videos and
to assist the HAGOC-
appointed production team
during filming and promotion. Chinese Taipei’s Tai Tzu Ying won the Asian Games badminton gold at Jakarta.
19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 Prestige Partner
杭州2022年第19届亚运会官方合作伙伴
Page 26Asia’s Olympic Era
ASIAN GAMES MVP JOINS AQUATICS INAUGURATION
T he OCA MVP of the 18th Asian
Games, Japanese swimmer Rikako
Ikee, took part in the inauguration
ceremony of the Tokyo Aquatics
Centre for the Olympic Games on
October 24.
The 15,000-capacity Aquatics Centre was the last of
the eight newly built permanent venues for Tokyo
2020 to be unveiled, following a seven-month delay
due to the pandemic.
Ikee, who won six gold and two silver medals in
Jakarta in 2018, swam a freestyle lap in the sparkling
pool and raved about the venue that will host
The new Tokyo Aquatics Centre (Photo: Tokyo 2020)
swimming, artistic swimming and diving next summer.
"When I got here and had a look at the pool it all started to sink The Tokyo Aquatics Centre was constructed by the Tokyo Metro-
in - that the Olympics is coming here next year," Ikee said in a politan Government and completed in February 2020.
statement.
It includes a 10-lane main pool, a sub pool and a diving pool
"It was comfortable to swim in because it’s three metres deep and will become the cornerstone of Japanese swimming after
and I think it’s a great arena." Tokyo 2020.
GREAT WALL HOSTS 500-DAY COUNTDOWN TO BEIJING 2022
B eijing 2022 reached another major landmark on September
21 by marking 500 Days to Go to the Winter Olympics, which will
A series of countdown events were held in Beijing and the surround-
ing areas to celebrate the occasion, notably at the popular Badal-
run from February 4-20, 2022. ing section of the Great Wall.
Earlier in September, as part
of the 500 Days to Go
activities, an aircraft was
decorated in Olympic-themed
branding at Beijing Capital
International Airport.
Named “Winter Olympic Ice and Snow”, the plane
carries the emblems of the Olympic and Paralympic
Winter Games and images of the mascots, Bing
Dwen Dwen and Shuey Rhon Rhon.
Senior leaders from the People’s Government of
Beijing Municipality, the Civil Aviation Administra-
tion of China, Beijing 2022 and from other organ-
isations joined its inaugural flight from Beijing to
Chengdu.
Beijing 2022 and the IOC have
published a Chinese language version of the
Children celebrate 500 days to go to Beijing 2022 (Photo: China Daily) Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP).
Page 27Women in Sport
SAOC HONOURS FIRST BATCH
OF SAUDI FEMALE DCOS
HH Prince Fahad bin Jalawi awards the first batch of Saudi female DCOs.
H is Highness the Vice President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic
Committee (SAOC), Prince Fahad bin Jalawi, and HRH Princess
Dilayel bint Nahar, Director of Sports and Federations Relations at the
SAOC, awarded 30 female trainees with their Doping Control Officer
(DCO) certificates on October 25. (Photo: SAOC)
MIKAKO Kotani has succeeded Koji Murofushi as
The trainees successfully completed the first women’s training course Sports Director of Tokyo 2020. Kotani, 54, won
for Doping Control Officers organised by the Saudi Arabian two bronze medals in artistic (formerly synchro)
Anti-Doping Committee (SAADC) under the supervision of the swimming at the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games in
President, Dr Mohammed Salih Alqunbaz, and Secretary-General women’s solo and women’s duet. She is also a
Abdulaziz Almsaad. member of the Japanese Olympic Committee
Executive Board. Murofushi, the 2004 Olympic
The three-day workshop took place at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd hammer champion, has been appointed commis-
Olympic Complex in Riyadh and covered the main areas of detection, sioner of the government's Japan Sports Agency.
awareness and training, with both written and practical exams.
MANASI JOSHI EARNS 'INCREDIBLE' BARBIE TRIBUTE
Indian para-badminton star Manasi Joshi
has received the ultimate tribute – a Barbie
and join my friend & fellow athlete
@dipakarmakarofficial and other empowering
Doll in her honour. BARBIE SHEROES who have made young girls
believe that one can be anything they want to
The 31-year-old para-badminton world be,” she said, referring to Rio 2016 Olympic
champion in 2019 described the tribute as gymnast Dipa Karmakar.
“incredible” and said she hoped it would
inspire young girls to fight hard and reach “I hope that my story inspires many more lives,
their full potential. encourages young girls to harness their true
potential to fight hard and become whoever
“Thank you @Barbie,” she wrote on her they set out to be.”
Facebook account on October 11.
Manasi was seriously injured in December
“It’s incredible to have an OOAK (One Of A 2011 when riding her motorbike to her office in
Kind) Barbie Doll modelled after me. I am Manasi Joshi with her Barbie Mumbai. Her left leg was crushed and had to
honoured to be in this league of Role Models Doll (@joshimanasig·Sportsperson) be amputated.
Page 28Women in Sport
BANGLADESH’S CRICKETING BRIDE IS A BIG HIT
W hen Sanjida Islam was
preparing for a pre-wedding photo
shoot in her colourful bridal attire,
her mind was distracted by a
group of children playing cricket.
Sanjida just couldn’t help herself –
and decided to pick up the bat and
play a few shots on the grounds of
Rangpur Stadium.
Her behaviour was quite under-
standable considering she is a
member of Bangladesh’s national
women’s cricket team - and has an
Asian Games silver medal from
Sanjida Islam plays a few shots dressed in her wedding attire.
Incheon 2014 in her collection.
The photos were taken by a friend who was accompanying her “As a cricketer I could not control my emotions and joined the
on the photo shoot – and received global attention on social game with those kids for a few moments,” says 23-year-old
media thanks to the International Cricket Council, the OCA and Sanjida. “I wasn't really posing ...it was pure and candid.”
local, national and international media. (Article: Samiur Rahman – Bangladesh Sports Press Association/AIPS)
GOMA - PRIDE OF BHUTAN
T he Bhutan Olympic
Committee has rewarded
athlete Goma Pradhan for
her devotion to sport and
studies with a cash
incentive.
The middle-distance
runner secured second
place in her first-year
exams at the Royal
Thimphu College, where
she is studying for a BSc. in
nursing and midwifery.
DR Razan Baker of Saudi Arabia
"I feel happy to be able to has been appointed Chair of
perform well and balance the International Bowling
my time between academ- Federation’s Women in Sport
ics and athletics,” she said. Committee. Dr Baker serves on
the Saudi Bowling Federation
Goma is also preparing for Board and is Director of Interna-
the 6th Asian Beach tional Communications for the
Games to be held in Saudi Arabian Olympic Commit-
Sanya, China from April tee as well as a sports columnist
2-10, 2021. for the Arab News.
Page 29Women in Sport
AFGHANISTAN SPORTS WOMEN CALL FOR CEASEFIRE
A fghanistan’s female sports leaders and athletes have called
for a permanent ceasefire in the country and also for a role in
Vice President of the Women’s Division of Afghanistan NOC
and President of the Afghanistan Athletics Federation.
peace negotiations.
Other speakers came from the government’s youth welfare and
The calls were among six resolutions to come out of a confer- education commission, the women’s athlete development
ence held on October 24 and which were sent to both sides in department of physical education and sport and from the
the peace negotiating board, reports the Afghanistan National Ministry of Higher Education.
Olympic Committee.
More than 100 female athletes from various federations
The conference featured several influential female sports attended, along with many media representatives. (Photo:
leaders, including Member of Parliament Robina Jalali, who is Afghanistan NOC)
Robina Jalali addresses the conference. A group photo after the conference.
BASEBALL UMPIRE PO JOINS UNITED NATIONS EVENT
I OC Women and Sport World Trophy winner Po Chun Liu of
Chinese Taipei conducted a baseball camp for 75 girls to mark
the United Nations International Day of the Girl Child at New
Taipei City Sanchong baseball stadium.
Po won the prestigious IOC global award in 2019 for her
determination to break down gender stereotypes and achieve
her dream of becoming a baseball umpire.
The camp brought young girls together to experience the fun of
playing baseball and learning the values of being part of a
team.
Po is a certified World Baseball Softball Confederation umpire
for women's baseball and is known as the “Mother of Women’s
Baseball” in Chinese Taipei.
The United Nations marks International Day of the Girl Child
Po Chun Liu conducts the baseball camp. annually on October 11. (Photo: WBSC)
Page 30Women in Sport
IOC DECLARES TORCH RACE BOARD GAME A WINNER
T he creative and innovative work of IOC Young
Leader Christel Saneh of Lebanon has been recog-
“We came up with all the cards -
which were later on verified by the
nised by www.olympic.org. IOC - and I did all the branding
and illustrations for the game.”
The official IOC website highlights an Olympic-themed board
game called Torch Race produced by Christel and her IOC The concept of the board game
Young Leaders programme colleague Tony Tarraf. is based on the torch relay. Each
player is a torch bearer with a
“The project's aim is to promote Olympism, Olympic Education mission to light the cauldron.
and the Olympic Games through play. The project was entirely The first player to do so is
The Torch Race board game.
created by us,” says Christel, an athlete, artist and illustrator. declared the winner.
ASIAN GAMES CHAMP DIAZ INSPIRES CHILDREN’S BOOK
T he successful weightlifting career of Hidilyn Diaz has
inspired the publication of a children’s book in the Philippines.
Her success has
enabled her to build
a weightlifting gym in
The book is called “Ginto’t Pilak” (Gold and Silver) and tells the her home town and
story of her rise to the podium at Rio 2016, winning an Olympic to inspire a young
silver medal, followed by Asian Games gold in Jakarta in 2018 generation to dream.
and SEA Games gold in 2019 in Manila.
“I came from nothing
“I am so excited to announce the launch of a children’s book to eventually becom-
that I am featured in,” she said on her Facebook account. ing a silver medallist.
We never know, one
“This book is the story of my life to inspire the younger genera- of these kids might
tion to dream high and tell them to reach their dream - but they be the next gold
have to work hard because there is no instant in life. medallist,” she
added. The book is
“I hope you will get inspired by this book, especially right now we published by
are in Pandemic, we need inspiration, hope, and care.” @anvilpublishing.
MALAYSIAN DIVER NG LOOKS FORWARD TO THIRD OLYMPICS
F or many athletes,
appearing at the Olym-
“My most memorable moment is qualifying for my third Olympics,”
she said in an interview with the Olympic Council of Malaysia.
pic Games is the
pinnacle of their career. It has been a tough path to three Olympic Games, and Wendy
admits it needs self-confidence and self-belief to maintain such
At the age of 27, a high level in this physically and mentally demanding sport.
Wendy Ng Yan Yee has
already been to two – “Even if nobody believes in you, you need to believe in yourself
London 2012 and Rio and never give up because the journey as an athlete will never
2016 – and will be easy,” she added.
complete an Olympic
hat-trick in Tokyo next A three-time Asian Games silver medallist and five-time SEA
summer as part of the Games champion, the Kuala Lumpur-born Ng bases her compe-
talented Malaysian tition mindset on concentrating on the next dive and forgetting
Wendy Ng Yan Yee relaxes after training.
diving team. the previous effort as quickly as possible.
Page 31Road to Tokyo
SHAHINTAB TO COACH IRAN’S MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM
T he Islamic Republic of Iran Basketball Federation confirmed on
September 29 that coach Mehran Shahintab will lead the men’s
national team at the Olympic Games next July.
Shahintab, 54, guided the team through a tough qualifying campaign
to Tokyo, where Iran’s men’s team will be making their third appear-
ance in Olympic history following London 1948 and Beijing 2008.
Iran lost all five games in Beijing and finished 11th out of 12 teams but
the federation president, Ramin Tabatabaei, says the Persians are
aiming to qualify for the quarter-finals in Tokyo for the first time ever.
At the Tokyo Olympics, 12 teams will be divided into three groups of
four. The top two teams in each of the three groups will qualify for the
last eight, along with the two best third-placed teams.
“Our first goal is to advance to the next phase since we want to be
among the world’s top eight teams,” Tabatabaei told the Tehran Times. Iran’s coach Mehran Shahintab. (Photo: Tehran Times)
INDIAN boxer Lovlina Borgohain and several of her
fellow Tokyo-qualified teammates went to Assisi, Italy
for a training camp from October 15 to December 5.
“With 10 months to go before the Olympics, getting to
compete against European opponents will be really
helpful,” she said.
(Photo: Olympic Channel)
SCHOOLING - THE MODEL ATHLETE
S ingapore’s Olympic Games swimming champion Joseph Schooling has returned
to the United States to prepare for his title defence in Tokyo next summer.
Schooling made history at Rio 2016 when winning Singapore’s first ever gold medal –
in the men’s 100m butterfly in an Olympic record time of 50.39 seconds.
A graduate of the University of Texas in Austin, the 25-year-old swimmer returned from
Singapore to the United States at the end of October to begin his preparations for
Tokyo 2020.
“I’m settling in pretty nicely,” he told his fans, after his first week in Christiansburg,
Virginia.
“I would like to thank everybody for their support and best wishes and I will keep you
updated on my preparations.”
Singapore golden boy Joseph School- Before leaving Singapore, Schooling had time for a glamorous photo shoot with his
ing promotes the iconic Boss brand for
sponsor Hugo Boss, promoting a “new month, new look” with the hashtags
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.
#ThisisBOSS, #BOSSgenerations and #BOSSeyewear. (Photo: Bobby Tonelli)
Page 32Road to Tokyo
CHINA’S ‘STEEL ROSES’ PREPARE FOR PLAY-OFF
T he head coach of China’s women’s national football team, Jia
Xiuquan, is confident his team can beat South Korea in next year's
qualifying play-off to secure a berth in Tokyo, reports Xinhua News.
Jia made the remarks on the sidelines of the 2020 Chinese
Football Association Women's Super League in Kunming, where
he had been observing the players and mulling the line-up for the
two-legged play-off against Korea on February 19 and 24, 2021.
Jia said the super league had provided some much-needed
competitive action for the Steel Roses players.
"The players are finding their rhythm on the field, but they have
yet to hit their best form to ensure a victory over South Korea next
February," he said. "They need to further improve their China’s Luo Guiping challenges Australia’s Stephanie Catley
techniques, coordination and tactics." (Photo: Xinhua/Bai Xuefei) in an Olympic qualifier in Sydney on February 13, 2020.
PAKISTAN’S EQUESTRIAN HERO IN ‘SHOCK’ OVER HORSE’S DEATH
P akistan’s eventing athlete Usman Khan announced the
sudden passing of his New Zealand Thoroughbred Azad Kashmir
on September 17 in Melbourne, Australia, reports Horse Sport.
Usman Khan, who had qualified for Tokyo 2020 with Azad
Kashmir, said the 13-year-old bay gelding died of a “severe
heart attack,” according to the family.
“I have buried the horse with an Olympic flag. I am in a state of
shock,” Usman told Pakistan’s The News.
Usman will now have to attempt to qualify another horse for the
Olympics – but time is running out.
“We are devastated. We don’t have a back-up horse,” Usman said. Usman Khan and Azad Kashmir. (Photo: Horse Sport)
OKUHARA BEATS OLYMPIC CHAMPION MARIN ON BADMINTON’S RETURN
O ne of the hottest tickets in town next summer will be
badminton due to the high Asian interest, notably from host
Okuhara was full of praise for
the officials who had worked
country Japan. so hard to stage the event.
Just to set the scene for the women’s singles in Tokyo, Japan’s “I appreciate that I could attend
Nozomi Okuhara pulled off a sensational win over the reigning this Denmark Open and that
Olympic champion Carolina Marin of Spain in the final of the people have worked very hard
HSBC BWF Danisa Denmark Open from October 13-18. towards making this happen,”
she said.
The 25-year-old Okuhara prevailed 21-19, 21-17 in 56
minutes to complete a five-match sweep without conceding a “For the last seven months I have been confused in my daily life,
single game in the USD 750,000 tournament. how to practise and so on. But I wanted to go to a tournament
as soon as possible. I feel special, and I thank every fan and
The event marked the return of World Tour badminton and supporter.” (Photo: BWF)
Page 33Obituary
OCA PAYS TRIBUTE TO LATE AMIR OF KUWAIT
T he Olympic Council of Asia
conveyed heartfelt sympathies and
condolences to the citizens of
Kuwait on the sad demise of HH
Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al
Sabah, The Amir of Kuwait, on
September 29. He was 91.
HH Sheikh Sabah was a much-
respected leader not only in Kuwait
but worldwide and was known for
his humanitarian work around the
globe.
He was also a great lover of sport
and supported the OCA and its
activities whole heartedly. He was
a father figure not only to Kuwaiti
citizens but also to other expats
living in Kuwait.
“He will be missed immensely, not
only by the citizens of Kuwait but
also by all the sports lovers around
the world,” the OCA said. HH Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah.
MAHAM AFTAB – PAKISTAN’S YOG TAEKWONDO ATHLETE
P akistan’s taekwondo ace Maham Aftab passed away at the young age of 26 on
October 23, shortly after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Besides winning international and national events, she also represented Pakistan at the
inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010.
Pakistan Taekwondo Federation President Col (retired) Waseem Ahmed said: “Her services
will be remembered always as she won laurels for Pakistan.” (Photo: @Daily Times)
HEYDAR SHONJANI - IRAN’S FIRST OLYMPIC SWIMMER
L egendary Iranian
swimmer Heydar
Iranian swimmer to compete at the Olympic Games. He
participated at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo in the men’s
Shonjani passed 100m freestyle but failed to reach the final with a time of
away at the age of 1:02.1.
75 on Sunday,
November 8, reports Shonjani was also a member of Iran’s national water polo
the Tehran Times. team that won a gold medal at the 1974 Asian Games in
Tehran and represented Iran in water polo at the 1976 Olym-
Shonjani was the first pics in Montreal. (Photo: Tehran Times)
Page 34You can also read
