Official Newsletter of the Olympic Council of Asia
Phuket’s silver sensation
Edition 28 - March 2015
Aaliyah, 11, wins Beach Games medal for Malaysia
OCA Athletes’ Forum in Kuwait OCA on the Road to Indonesia 2018 OCA-ONOC join forces for AIMAG 2017
Contents
Inside your 32-page Sporting Asia
04
3
President’s Message, ACOLOP meeting
4
News Digest: Women in Sport
5
News Digest: IOC Extraordinary Session in
Monaco
6
Inside the OCA: OCA-ONOC sign historic
MoU
05
7
Inside the OCA: OCA Youth Camp 2015
8-9
2nd Asian Athletes’ Forum, Kuwait
10
ANOC General Assembly and Gala Awards
Night in Bangkok
11–22
12-13
4th Asian Beach Games Phuket 2014 Overview, Facts and Figures
14 Thailand – the Land of Gold
11-22
15 The Pride of Turkmenistan 16-17
Celebrating the success of Phuket 2014
18 Team Welcome Ceremony delights
15
19
Phuket Photo Scrapbook
20-21
Spotlight on Malaysia’s 11-year-old silver
lady, Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah
22
Vietnam 2016 is next for Asian Beach Games
23-24
Games Update: 18th Asian Games Jakarta
2018
19 Page 02
25-30
Six pages of NOC news and sport
31
Obituary: China’s “Mr Olympics” He
Zhenliang
32
OCA Sports Diary and Sponsors’ Club
Sporting Asia is the official newsletter of the Olympic Council of Asia, published quarterly. Executive Editor / Director General Husain Al Musallam husain@ocasia.org Art Director / IT Director Amer Elalami amer@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 Executive Secretary Nayaf Sraj nayaf@ocasia.org Olympic Council of Asia PO Box 6706, Hawalli Zip Code 32042 Kuwait Telephone: +965 22274277 - 88 Fax: +965 22274280 - 90 Email: info@ocasia.org Website: www.ocasia.org
Front cover: Front Cover: Malaysia’s Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah executes a difficult and advanced trick - the SLB (ski line back) - at the European U21 Championships in 2014. Aaliyah, 11, won a silver medal in women’s tricks at the 4th Asian Beach Games in Phuket, Thailand, in November. Read all about this rising star of Asian sport on Pages 20-21. Photo: Andrea Gilardi
President’s Message
2015 – a year for consolidation
W
elcome to the first Sporting Asia of 2015! This is the seventh year of publication following the launch of the OCA newsletter in 2009, and I would like to thank all the NOCs, organising committees and other stakeholders for their valuable contributions over the years. As you know, we have a blank year ahead of us in terms of multi-sport games, as the next event will be the 5th Asian Beach Games in Vietnam in 2016. This gives us all the chance to take stock, to look back on our achievements and operations in 2014 and to build on this solid platform for a brighter future. Although there are no OCA games in the coming year, there is still much to do from an administrative point of view regarding the preparation of our athletes and delegations for the Rio Olympic Games in 2016.
Olympic Solidarity has a wide range of scholarships and funds available for athletes and administrators alike, and we urge all NOCs to make the most of what is available to hold courses and seminars and to continue developing the Olympic Movement throughout the continent. Thank you all for your loyal and enthusiastic support in a hectic 2014, and I would like to wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous new year!
Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah President, Olympic Council of Asia President, Association of National Olympic Committees Chairman, IOC Olympic Solidarity Commission
Sheikh Ahmad meets ACOLOP delegation
T
he OCA and ANOC President, HE Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah, greeted a delegation from the Association of Portuguese-Speaking Olympic Committees (ACOLOP) on the sidelines of the ANOC General Assembly in Bangkok in November.
ACOLOP, whose 12 members include Macau-China, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste and Goa (India), was formed in 2004. They held their first multi-sport games in Macau in 2006 and subsequent editions took place in Portugal in 2009 and Goa in 2014. The fourth ACOLOP Games are scheduled for Mozambique in 2017. The ACOLOP delegation was led by the President, Mr Alex Vong, Vice President of Macau NOC, and included Vice President Mr Bernard Rajzman, IOC member for Brazil, Mr Jose Tavares, President of Macau Sport Development Board, and Mr Charles Lo, President of Macau NOC and Chairman of the OCA Media Committee. The ACOLOP delegation introduced the Portuguese-speaking sports organisation to Sheikh Ahmad and invited the ANOC and OCA President to attend one of their events.
The OCA President greets the ACOLOP delegation.
Sheikh Ahmad said financial support could be secured through various Olympic Solidarity programmes and wished the organisation all success in developing sport and international relations among Portuguese-speaking countries and regions. Page 03
News Digest: Women and Sport
IOC honours Sheikha Naima of Kuwait
T
he IOC Women and Sport Awards for 2014 were announced on the grand stage of the 127th IOC Session at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco on Tuesday, December 9.
such as the GCC volleyball championship for women. She has also developed initiatives aimed at promoting women’s football in the region.”
The Asian award went to Sheikha Naima AlSabah of Kuwait for her work at local, regional and international level.
Sheikha Naima has held numerous leadership positions in sport, including President of the Kuwait Women’s Sports Association and Chair of the Kuwait Olympic Committee’s Women and Sport Committee.
Sheikha Naima is interviewed after receiving her award.
In a statement, the IOC said: “Sheikha Naima has greatly contributed to the development of women in sport and inspired many women and girls both in Kuwait and throughout the region.
“She has hosted and organised a wide range of women and sport events, such as the country’s first women’s basketball tournament. “Sheikha Naima organised the first Gulf Cooperation Council tournament for women in sport as well as other sporting events
The OCA congratulates Sheikha Naima for her outstanding achievement.
IOC Women and Sport Awards for 2014 World Trophy : Meriem Cherni Mizouni (Tunisia) Africa : Aya Mahmoud Medany (Egypt) Americas : Nancy Hogshead-Makar (USA) Asia : Sheikha Naïma Al-Sabah (Kuwait) Europe : Anastasia Davydova (Russia) Oceania : Siân Mulholland (Australia)
IOC President Thomas Bach at the Women and Sport Awards in Monaco.
Page 04
News Digest: 127th IOC Session
Full steam ahead for Olympic Agenda 2020
T
he full membership of the IOC unanimously approved the 40 recommendations of Olympic Agenda 2020 at the 127th IOC Session in Monaco on Monday, December 8.
“As for the recommendations, they show the flexibility of the IOC to work with all stakeholders of the Olympic Games.” For more details on Olympic Agenda 2020, see: www.olympic.org
The presentations, debates and voting were expected to take two days, but wrapped up on the first day due to the determination of the membership to push forward with the strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement. Each recommendation, voted on individually, received the full backing of the 96 IOC members in attendance. There were no votes against and no abstentions. OCA President Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah described it as an excellent meeting and an historic day for the Olympic Movement. “The fact that all 40 recommendations were approved in one day showed the unity and the solidarity of the IOC membership,” he said.
The Grimaldi Forum at Monaco welcomes the IOC.
Raja Randhir, Prince Nawaf become IOC hon. members
T
he second day of the Extraordinary IOC Session on December 9 saw honorary membership bestowed on two Asian sports leaders – Raja Randhir Singh of India and HRH
Prince Nawaf Faisal Fahd bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia. They both received the Olympic Order. Raja Randhir, a six-time Olympic Games shooter and OCA Secretary General since 1991, joined the IOC in 2001. Prince Nawaf was elected to the IOC as a representative of the NOC from 2002. In other news: The IOC granted full recognition to Kosovo NOC, which was established in 1992 and has more than 30 affiliated National Federations. Following final presentations by Helsinki (Finland) and Lima (Peru), the Session voted 54 to 30 for Lima to host the 130th IOC Session in 2017, when the host city of the 2024 Olympic Games will be elected.
OCA Secretary General Raja Randhir Singh with the Olympic Order.
HRH Princess Haya Al Hussein, who decided not to stand again for election as President of the International Equestrian Federation, received a Trophy of the IOC for her exemplary commitment to sport, its values and the Olympic Movement.
Page 05
Inside the OCA OCA, ONOC join forces for AIMAG 2017
The signing ceremony for Ashgabat 2017.
T
he OCA and Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) signed a Memorandum on Friday, November 28, for joint participation in the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, in 2017.
The Memorandum was signed by the President of Turkmenistan, HE Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who is also President of the 5th AIMAG Organising Committee; the OCA President, HE Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al-Sabah; and by Dr Robin Mitchell, President of ONOC.
Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu. Seven associate members of ONOC will also take part: New Caledonia, Tokelau, Niue, Norfolk Island, Tahiti, Wallis and Futuna, Northern Marianas.
In addition to the 45 NOCs of the OCA, the following 17 NOCs from Oceania will participate:
The following sports will be included for the 5th AIMAG: Chess, Futsal, Tennis, Muay Thai, Sambo, Kurash, JuJitsu, Bowling, Cycling (track), Swimming, Indoor Athletics, Weightlifting (Powerlifting), Basketball, Taekwondo (WTF), Dance Sport, Kickboxing, Belt Wrestling, Wrestling (FS/GrecoRoman), Cue Sport (Billiards and Snooker).
Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Palau,
The OCA President said other sports would be considered in order to promote the Olympic sports movement in Turkmenistan.
INCHEON HONOUR: OCA Director General Husain Al-Musallam has received honorary citizenship of Incheon Metropolitan City for his contribution to the success of the 17th Asian Games from September 19-October 4, 2014.
ASIAN GAMES LEGACY: The Incheon Asian Games Organising Committee held a Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony with the OCA and Gachon University Gil Medical Centre on December 18. Gil Hospital provided medical services during the 17th Asian Games Incheon 2014 and has now become an official hospital for the OCA family and NOC members.
Page 06
Inside the OCA OCA announces sports for 2015 youth camp
T
he OCA is delighted to announce that it will be running three Asian Youth Camp projects in 2015 for aspiring young athletes and coaches from around the continent.
Table Tennis: OCA will invite one athlete and one coach from each NOC, in cooperation with Aspire. The camp is scheduled for November.
The three camps are:
NOTE: For all camps the NOC can decide whether to send male or female athletes.
3x3 Basketball: OCA will invite three players and one coach from each NOC in a project held in cooperation with Qatar NOC. This camp will take place after Ramadan.
Following a meeting between the OCA and Aspire Academy in Kuwait in December, the Director of the OCA’s Asian Games department, Haider Farman, said: “The OCA Youth Camp is one of the best youth development programmes within our Asian Olympic family.
Athletics - Long Jump: OCA will invite one athlete and one coach from each NOC, in cooperation with Aspire Academy in Doha. The camp is scheduled for November.
“The camp offers a great opportunity for Asia’s young athletes and coaches from different sports to learn and improve their performance and technique. “Many of these young athletes have gone on to qualify for our Asian Youth Games and Youth Olympic Games and have won medals.”
3x3 basketball at the Asian Beach Games in Phuket.
Mr Farman praised the close working relationship with Aspire Academy in 2014, and said education and coaching would be high on the list of priorities for the camps in 2015.
OCA Advisory Committee
OCA Sports Committee
T
he OCA’s Advisory Committee held a meeting at the Intercontinental Hotel in Bangkok on Thursday, November 6, under the chairmanship of IOC member Ng Ser Miang of Singapore.
T
Mr Ng welcomed the committee members and thanked Thailand’s IOC member, Nat Indrapana, for his hospitality in hosting the meeting.
Following the presentations, the Director of the OCA’s Asian Games department, Haider Farman, updated the committee members on the sports programmes for the next cycle of events.
he meeting, chaired by Zhang Jilong of China, heard presentations from three sports keen to join the OCA programme. They included lawn bowls – a very popular sport in the Commonwealth countries of Asia.
Topics discussed included Olympic Agenda 2020, preparations for the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta 2018 and a review of the 17th Asian Games in Incheon.
The OCA Advisory Committee in Bangkok.
The OCA Sports Committee gathers in Phuket.
Page 07
2nd Asian Athletes’ Forum
OCA Athletes’ C Hails Forum a ‘fa OCA Athletes’ Committee T heorganised the second Asian Athletes’
Forum in Kuwait from January 22-24 and invited each NOC to send two delegates.
Barbara Kendall gets things moving.
With the support of the IOC and ANOC, the three-day gathering was aimed at increasing the number of athletes’ committees within Asia’s NOCs and establishing a communications and information network. “Overall I think it was fantastic,” said Yuko Arakida, Chair of the OCA Athletes’ Committee and a member of Japan’s gold medal-winning women’s volleyball team at the Montreal Olympics in 1976.
The Forum attracted 125 participants.
“The total number of participants was 125 and these included 10 Chairs of Athletes’ Committees in Asia, 18 people who had competed in the Olympic Games and almost 30 members of Athletes’ Committees in Asia.” The IOC was represented by Claudia Bokel, Chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission, and ANOC by Barbara Kendall, Chair of the ANOC Athletes’ Commission. Asian IOC members Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski of the Philippines and Yang Yang of China also took part, along with other members of the OCA Athletes’ Committee. The forum began with an informal icebreaking session on January 22, and
Photo Call outside OCA HQ.
Page 08
2nd Asian Athletes’ Forum
Committee Chair antastic’ success the bulk of the presentations and panel discussions took place the following day. The forum came to a close on Saturday lunchtime. “We tried to give the NOCs as much information as possible about the setting up and the work of an Athletes’ Committee,” added Mrs Arakida.
OCA Athletes’ Committee member Tayyab Ikram makes a presentation.
“We stressed the importance of an NOC having an Athletes’ Committee because the views, experience and input of athletes is becoming more and more influential in the Olympic movement. “We covered a lot of modern-day trends and topics, such as the fight for clean sport and the dangers of doping, career transition from elite athlete to the work place, the athlete’s entourage and the importance of networking and communication.”
Hungry for knowledge.
The OCA Director General and Technical Director, Husain Al-Musallam, welcomed the participants and said that the OCA was keen to support the work of the Athletes’ Committee. “We always strive to create the best environment and facilities for our Asian athletes,” he said. “I hope this forum will prove beneficial for everyone and you can take back a lot of knowledge and information to use in your own NOC.” (iSR) Foundation signed a MoA with ANOC for the iSR Academy in Korea.
Page 09
ANOC General Assembly Sheikh Ahmad re-elected ANOC President Sheikh Ahmad thanked the delegates from 203 NOCs for their trust. “I hope I can continue to work with you with very close cooperation. I will continue to work hard so we can achieve all your goals,” he said. Around 1,000 delegates attended the two-day General Assembly, during which other items included: The General Assembly approved the establishment of the ANOC World Beach Games, which will build on the success of the OCA’s Asian Beach Games. 2017 is a likely starting point. ANOC Ex-Co for Asia: Vice President, Yu Zaiqing (China); Sheikh Ahmad with Senior Vice President Patrick Hickey. members - Maj. Gen. Charouck Arirachakaran (Thailand), Raja Ranis Excellency Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah of Kuwait dhir Singh (India), Tsunekazu Takeda was re-elected unopposed as President of ANOC for (Japan), HRH Prince Tunku Imran (Malthe term 2014-2018 at the XIX ANOC General Assembly in aysia) and Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski Bangkok on Friday, November 7. (Philippines).
H
The OCA President, who took over as ANOC President in 2012, was standing for his first full four-year term of office and was the only nomination.
The 2015 ANOC General Assembly will be in Washington DC, USA, in October, and in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2016.
China’s Li scoops ANOC award for London 2012
T
he first ANOC Gala Awards Dinner was rich in sporting success and cultural diversity from the five continents in Bangkok on Friday, November 7. The awards have been established under the presidency of Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah to honour leading athletes and NOCs at the Olympic Games. The awards covered the Summer and Winter Olympics of London 2012 and Sochi 2014. China’s Li Xiaoxia was named Best Female Athlete of London 2012 for winning table tennis gold, and Bahrain was among the Breakthrough NOCs at London 2012. Sheikh Ahmad said: “Our first ever ANOC Gala Awards Dinner was a spectacular celebration of sport and world culture. There is no other event in the world which recognises the hard work of National Olympic Committees. “Congratulations to all of the deserving winners and thank you to everyone involved for making the first ever ANOC Gala Awards such a special night.”
Page 10
China’s Li Xiaoxia with her trophy.
PHUKET 2014 Sporting Asia’s 12-page special on the 4th Asian Beach Games, Phuket 2014
V
for Victory
Thailand - the Land of Gold
4th Asian Beach Games, Phuket 2014
Phuket points the way forward for worl
W
ith its sparkling sea, golden beaches and holiday atmosphere, Phuket staged a memorable 4th Asian Beach Games from November 14-23, 2014.
PHUKET
The 26 sports attracted over 2,000 athletes and were contested at one of six venue clusters around the island that showcased the natural beauty and diversity of Thailand’s “Pearl of the Andaman Sea”. THAILAND2014
If the goal of the Beach Games is to combine sport and tourism in a spectator-friendly environment and without breaking the bank, then Phuket 2014 was a complete triumph for the OCA and for Thailand. Furthermore, it pointed the way forward for the Association of National Olympic Committees to organise their own world beach
Tropical setting for petanque.
Page 12
games for the 205 NOCs around the globe, possibly in 2017. Natalya Sipovich, OCA Executive Board member and Chair of the OCA Women and Sport Committee, believes a world beach games would be a very welcome new addition to the Olympic family. “You just have to look around here in Phuket to see the potential for a world beach games,” said Mrs Sipovich, after presenting the medals at a packed 3x3 basketball venue. “Everyone’s having a great time…the athletes, the officials, the spectators. There is a friendly, holiday atmosphere around the venues but the sports are competitive and serious. It is an ideal combination. “You also have to look at the costs of hosting a beach games, because there is no need for big new stadiums and infrastructure. Most of the venues are temporary and will be
Chariots of Fire comes to life at the Asian Beach Games.
4th Asian Beach Games, Phuket 2014
ld beach games taken down immediately after the games, while the natural resources of sea and sand are already here in abundance. “Add to this the sunshine and the blue skies and you can see why the games are attracting so many spectators, both locals and tourists on their holidays in Phuket.” The exotic venues were a treat, especially at Nai-Yang Beach for the beach athletics, modern pentathlon and triathlon. The forest of the national park provided tranquility and shade from a burning sun, while the sea and the beach offered a picturesque backdrop but energy-sapping conditions for the athletes. Having now held four Asian Beach Games, starting in 2008, the OCA is in an ideal position to guide ANOC on the path towards a vibrant and successful world beach games to add value to the Olympic Movement.
Star performers at the Opening Ceremony.
Phuket 2014: Facts and Figures Opening Ceremony : November 14 Closing Ceremony : November 23 Venue : Saphan Hin Sports Centre NOCs : 43 Athletes : 2,335 Sports : 26 Events : 165 OCA Family : 13,000 Media : 524 Press/Photo : 237 TV : 287 Motto : Celebrate Charming Sunshine
Natalya Sipovich at the women’s 3x3 basketball medal presentation.
Page 13
4th Asian Beach Games, Phuket 2014 Final Medal Rankings - Phuket 2014 R Country
G
S
B
T
R Country
G
S
B
T
1
Thailand
56
37
33
126
21
Singapore
2
0
2
4
2
China
16
11
21
48
22
Kuwait
1
4
6
11
3
Republic of Korea
9
14
14
37
23
Turkmenistan
1
3
7
11
4
Islamic Republic of Iran
9
14
8
31
24
Syrian Arab Republic
1
1
6
8
5
Vietnam
8
12
20
40
25
Tajikistan
1
0
2
3
6
Kazakhstan
8
9
10
27
26
Brunei Darussalam
1
0
0
1
7
Indonesia
7
7
14
28
27
Malaysia
0
8
8
16
8
Japan
7
5
7
19
28
Kyrgyzstan
0
3
3
6
9
Mongolia
6
0
4
10
29
Iraq
0
2
3
5
10
Bahrain
5
2
0
7
11
United Arab Emirates
4
3
5
12
30
Afghanistan
0
2
2
4
12
Uzbekistan
4
0
6
10
31
Myanmar
0
1
2
3
13
Chinese Taipei
3
8
6
17
32
Macau, China
0
1
0
1
14
Hong Kong, China
3
2
7
12
33
Oman
0
1
0
1
15
Philippines
3
2
7
12
34
Yemen
0
1
0
1
16
Pakistan
2
4
4
10
35
Sri Lanka
0
0
2
2
17
Lebanon
2
3
3
8
36
Cambodia
0
0
1
1
18
Laos
2
2
8
12
37
Jordan
0
0
1
1
38
Nepal
0
0
1
1
165
165
19
Qatar
2
2
8
12
20
India
2
1
7
10
Total
238 568
Thailand’s golden games
T
he host nation dominated the 4th Asian Beach Games, extending their regional supremacy to the continental level and leaving their rivals way behind in the medal rankings. Of the 165 gold medals on offer across 26 sports, Thailand won 56 of them to open up a huge gap over second-placed China with 16. No other team could reach double figures in the gold medal category, although 26 NOCs went home with at least one gold medal and 38 NOCs joined the final medal table.
Thailand flying high at woodball.
Overall, Thailand won 56 gold, 37 silver and 33 bronze for a total of 126. China was second with 16-11-21-48 and Korea third with 9-14-14-37. Iran (9-14-8-31) and Vietnam (8-12-20-40) rounded out the top five. The National Sports Development Fund rewarded the successful Thai athletes with prize money of Bt200,000 (around 6,000 USD) for a gold medal, Bt100,000 for silver and Bt50,000 for bronze. With coaches and national sports associations also receiving prize money, the total pay-out was Bt57.73 million (1.74 million USD).
Page 14
Thai gold at petanque attracts the mass media.
4th Asian Beach Games, Phuket 2014 Gold-badam! The Pride of Turkmenistan
T
urkmenistan won only one gold medal at Phuket 2014, but it was a big one – the first gold medal of the 4th Asian Beach Games. There is always a special buzz surrounding the first gold medal of any Games, and Phuket 2014 was no exception as the local media swooped on sambo wrestling to witness the first champion and the first medal presentation. The honour fell to Turkmenistan’s Gulbadam Babamuratova, who beat opponents from Mongolia, Nepal and Kazakhstan to claim gold in the women’s under-52 kg category. The competition was held under a baking-hot sun on the sand of Karon Central Beach and took place on Wednesday, November 12 – two days before the opening ceremony – as sambo was a late addition to the sports programme. “I am very proud to win this gold medal for my team and for Turkmenistan,” said the 23-year-old champion. “I think it is more important that this is the first gold medal for Turkmenistan rather than the first gold medal of the Games. It was very hard to win because the conditions were tough and the opponents were difficult.”
Gulbadam Babamuratova is interviewed after her gold medal success.
Gulbadam was joined on the podium by Kazakhstan’s Leila Konuspayeva (silver) and the two bronze medal-winners, Bhagawati Majhi of Nepal and Shahlo Yuldasheva of Uzbekistan. Turkmenistan added a silver the next day in the mixed team sambo wrestling, giving Gulbadam a second medal of Phuket 2014 and further media attention for her country in the countdown to the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Ashgabat in 2017.
Turkmenistan hit the heights of the medal podium.
Page 15
4th Asian Beach Games, Phuket 2014
Azlan of Malaysia waits for her turn in the mixed triathlon team relay.
Kazakhstan’s Vitaliy Khudyakov celebrates his victory in the men’s 5km marathon swim.
Girl on a Swing...a relaxing moment at the beach woodball.
The opening ceremony lights up the sky.
Hong Kong, China at the CDM meeting.
Team Philippines meets Modern Pentathlon IF President Dr Klaus Schormann.
Page 16
4th Asian Beach Games, Phuket 2014
Thailand’s Sports Minister, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, was everywhere to be seen promoting and supporting the Games.
Mobile security in Phuket.
The Korean team is introduced for the mixed team triathlon relay.
The OCA President at the ju-jitsu medal presentation.
Victory ceremony attendants brought a touch of glamour to the proceedings.
Victory for Japan in the mixed triathlon team relay.
Page 17
4th Asian Beach Games, Phuket 2014 Typical Thai welcome for visiting NOCs Located next to the shimmering blue Andaman Sea, and with the sun streaming through the dark green canopy of palm trees, the ceremony venue offered visitors and guests a true glimpse of the natural beauty of Phuket. The flags of the countries and regions were attached and raised by a team of naval cadets in sparkling white uniform, while the former Vice Governor of Phuket, Dr Sommai Prijasilpa, welcomed the teams.
The Singapore flag is ready to be raised.
O
ne of the highlights for all delegations at a multi-sport event is the official team welcome ceremony.
Although the procedure is quite formal, with a short welcome speech, the playing of the national anthem and the raising of the flag, followed by an exchange of souvenir gifts, the ceremony, nevertheless, plays a vital part in building up the atmosphere of the games before the opening ceremony. Phuket organisers chose the tropical setting of Saphan Hin for the team welcome ceremony for the 4th Asian Beach Games, near the stadium that would be used for the opening and closing ceremony.
The team leaders were full of praise for the organisers, highlighting the convenience of the athletes being accommodated in a hotel near the relevant competition venue. With six venue clusters scattered around the island for the 26 sports and over 40 hotels in operation, this was an impressive logistical achievement and contributed significantly to the smooth running of the games. In keeping with the concept of a small-scale, low-cost but highenergy games, the team welcome ceremony was short and sweet while incorporating all the required formalities and protocol, rounded off with a photo call and refreshments in the shade. Welcome to Phuket!
Welcome Laos!
Page 18
Singapore Chef de Mission Aik Teng Ho and Sommai Prijasilpa of POCOG protocol exchange gifts.
4th Asian Beach Games, Phuket 2014 Asian Beach Games Scrapbook
e venu ball Beach d o wo th The on Sou ar K t a
Ac r in t uise lin he e off Anda r anch Pato ma ors n ng Bea Sea ch
Place of worship ne ar Patong Beach
The picturesque clock tower in Phuket city.
A large crow d gathers ou tside the Chinese pagoda befo re the opening ceremony.
Phuket Graceland - exotic home for the NOCs
g of settin ng pical o to a tr P e Th y Inn Q. olida H A C the H -O Beach
Page 19
4th Asian Beach Games, Phuket 2014
All about Aaliyah – Making history fo
I
t is unusual to describe an athlete as a veteran at 11 years old.
“I feel good,” she said, after clinching the silver medal at Phuket behind China’s 22-year-old Asian champion, Jiang Hui.
But that’s exactly what Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah was in Phuket last November – a veteran of three Asian Beach Games! What’s more, the Malaysian waterski sensation went home with a silver medal in the women’s tricks competition, becoming the youngest athlete to win a medal in the history of the OCA’s multi-sport games.
“I feel really proud because I won this silver medal. It is really fun to have a medal.”
History is nothing new to Aaliyah, however, as it has followed her around ever since she took up the sport aged just five. In 2010 she became the youngest athlete to compete in an OCA event when she represented Malaysia in the 2nd Asian Beach Games at Muscat, Oman, aged seven years and four months. The following year, at eight years old, she became the youngest gold medal-winner in the 50-year history of the South East Asian (SEA) Games when she finished first in the women’s tricks at Palembang, Indonesia. So this latest achievement is just another step on the road to her ultimate goal, to be world champion before she is 21. She has also become experienced in dealing with the media at home and abroad, and is clearly enjoying herself on and off the water.
Proud Aaliyah with Team Malaysia.
Page 20
Her father and coach, Hanifah Yoong, added: “She is still full of fire. We do not have to push her to train, we have to push her to rest. Aaliyah is very tough mentally.” Here are a few more achievements in her fledgling career:
Aaliyah is aiming for the top.
4th Asian Beach Games, Phuket 2014
or Malaysia
Profile
Youngest Asian champion at 10 when she won the 2013 International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) Asian Waterski Championships gold medal for open women tricks in Jakarta. Youngest athlete to perform a flip successfully in the history of waterski aged 10 at a pro waterski event in the 2014 Moomba Masters in Melbourne, Australia. From 2015 she has become an IWWF Elite Skier and is eligible for the IWWF Waterski World Cups. She continues to climb the IWWF world rankings and is ranked 38th in the world for open women tricks and seventh in the world for under-17 girls’ tricks.
Asian under-17 girls’ tricks champion.
Her record of being the youngest athlete at an OCA event, however, has been passed on to another member of the talented water ski family, as her youngest brother, Adam, competed in the men’s tricks at Phuket 2014 aged seven years and one month. Another brother, Aiden, aged nine, also took part in the men’s tricks. Clearly there is a lot more tricks to come from the Hanifah Yoong family, at the Asian Beach Games and beyond.
Aaliyah with China’s Jiang Hui (centre) and Japan’s Saaya Hirosawa.
Name : Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah Date of Birth : July 16, 2003 Age : 11 Place of Birth : Kuala Lumpur NOC : Malaysia Sport : Waterski ABG appearances (3) : Muscat 2010, Haiyang
2012, Phuket 2014 ABG medals (1) : Silver, women’s tricks, Phuket 2014 Education : Nexus International School Club : Putrajaya
Acrobatic Aaliyah.
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4th Asian Beach Games, Phuket 2014 Vietnam is next stop for Beach Games festival
T
he Asian Beach Games is not only introducing vibrant and modern new sports to the OCA programme, it is also introducing tourist hot spots and exotic locations to Asia and the world. Next on the list, for the 5th Asian Beach Games in 2016, is Vietnam – and in particular Nha Trang and Danang in the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa. Proposed dates are September 24 to October 3, 2016, and some 4,000 athletes and officials from 45 NOCs are expected to take part. Athletes, officials and guests alike received a glimpse of the culture and hospitality awaiting them in 2016 when a 46-strong team of dancers, singers and performers captivated the crowd at the closing ceremony of Phuket 2014.
Asian Beach Games History ABG
Year
Host City
1st ABG
2008
Bali, Indonesia
2nd ABG
2010
Muscat, Oman
3rd ABG
2012
Haiyang, China
4th ABG
2014
Phuket, Thailand
5th ABG
2016
Nha Trang, Vietnam
A high-level delegation was in attendance, too, led by the Deputy Minister of Culture, Sport and Tourism, Le Khanh Hai, who is President of the Vietnam Olympic Committee. Khanh Hoa’s Department of Tourism has developed a number of new tourism services in the run-up to the 5th Asian Beach Games in order to attract more holidaymakers. These include eco-tourism along the Cai River and surrounding countryside, a dolphin park and a handicraft and fine arts village. During the first nine months of 2014, Khanh Hoa welcomed more than 2.7 million tourists, up 21 per cent compared to the previous year. They included more than 608,000 foreign tourists, an increase of 26 per cent.
Vietnam officials attend the closing ceremony.
The province earned more than VND4.5 billion (US$214 million) from tourism activities, and the 5th Asian Beach Games will certainly add to that in 2016.
The flag of Vietnam at the closing ceremony in Phuket.
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Games Update 18th Asian Games 2018
18-8-18 start planned for 18th Asian Games
Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama hosts a welcome dinner at City Hall.
T
he first OCA Coordination Committee meeting for the 18th Asian Games in 2018 took place in Jakarta on January 26-27.
Led by the Chairman of the Coordination Committee, Tsunekazu Takeda, the OCA visitors were taken on a venue tour on Monday before sitting down for business at the newly-opened Fairmont Jakarta the following day. The CC meeting included presentations from Jakarta and cohost city Palembang, capital of South Sumatera, an update from the Ministry of Youth and Sport and a debriefing from the 2014 Incheon Asian Games Organising Committee.
OCA Hon. Life Vice President Wei Jizhong at the CC meeting.
The Closing Ceremony is scheduled for September 2. The sports programme will include 28 Olympic sports and six non-Olympic sports, making a maximum of 34. The final programme has yet to be confirmed. Only two new venues will be constructed: an aquatics centre in the Senayan sports complex and a cycling velodrome. There will be four venue clusters: North Jakarta, South Jakarta, Jakarta Suburb Cluster and Palembang.
The President of the Indonesian Olympic Committee, IOC member Rita Subowo, assured the OCA delegation that everyone involved, from President Joko Widodo down, was working hard to make the 18th Asian Games the best the SEA region had ever staged.
Organisers are expecting 15,000 athletes and officials from 45 NOCs, 7,000 media and 25,000 volunteers and workforce.
Here are a few key points from the meeting:
Promotional events will include a 1,000-day countdown in October this year; 365-day celebration on August 18, 2017; Asian Dance Festival in 2017; cultural roadshow to around six countries in 2017; Asian Food Festival, Art Exhibition and Athletes’ Village Cultural Programme during the 18th Asian Games.
The Opening Ceremony is scheduled for August 18, giving the lucky number of 18-818, at the Gelora Bung Karno national stadium.
OCA CC Chairman Tsunekazu Takeda enjoys the venue tour.
The Athletes’ Village will be in North Jakarta, and the Media Village in South Jakarta.
Indonesia NOC President Rita Subowo briefs the media.
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Games Update 18th Asian Games 2018
Golden memories for OCA’s Flying Doctor Jega
W
hen the OCA Coordination Committee visited the Gelora Bung Karno national stadium in Jakarta on Monday, January 26, it was a particularly poignant moment for Tan Sri Dr Mani Jegathesan. For it was here, at this very stadium, that Dr Jega won his first Asian Games gold medal – in the 200 metres at the 1962 Asiad. “It was my first Asian Games gold medal in 1962 and I was 18 years old,” said Dr Jega, who was known as the “Flying Doctor” in his heyday as Asia’s fastest man. “It came in the 200 metres and it was also the first gold medal for Malaysia in the Asian Games. I had won the silver medal in the 100 metres – the gold went to Indonesian hero and fellow medical student Mohammad Sarengat – and this was a moralebooster for me because I was not a favourite in the 100.
The Gelora Bung Karno national stadium - built for the 1962 Asian Games and set to host the opening ceremony of the 2018 Asiad.
“I came into the 200 with a heavy load on my shoulders because here was a chance but it was not going to be easy because of all the expectations. But you had to face up to it and deliver.” The Flying Doctor would bring even more glory for Malaysia at the 1966 Asian Games in Bangkok, winning a golden hat-trick of 100m, 200m and 4 x 100m relay. Dr Jega competed in three Olympics Games, from 1960 to 1968, after which he retired to concentrate on his medical studies and career. He is now one of the most respected figures in the Olympic movement and is looking forward to heading the OCA’s medical and anti-doping services at the 18th Asian Games in Jatarta in 2018 – 56 years after his golden triumph!
O
Dr Jega calls in at the stadium where he won gold for Malaysia in 1962.
ICE – a nice, cool venue for 18th Asiad
ne of the big success stories of London 2012 was the use of the vast ExCel Arena to stage several indoor sports and create a crackling atmosphere for the duration of the Olympic Games. Indonesian organisers are following this example by selecting the Jakarta International Expo (JIEXPO) and the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) to host at least 13 indoor sports in the various halls. According to the OCA’s Hon. Life Vice President, Wei Jizhong, this will avoid the need to construct six new stadiums.
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JIEXPO will stage nine sports, mainly martial arts, while ICE will focus more on team sports due to the high ceilings (26 metres) of the halls. ICE was completed as recently as December 2014 and is a modern, high-tech convention and exhibition centre offering all the support services needed to host big sports events. There’s no doubt about it – ICE is nice and will provide a really cool environment for the 18th Asian Games.
News and Sport from 45 NOCs
Afghanistan
mittee, inaugurated the newly built Multi Sport Hall in Trashigang on December 19, 2014.
The Ministry of Information and Culture has issued letters of appreciation to a number of athletes for winning medals in international competitions, reports the Bakhtar News Agency in Kabul.
It was funded by the Royal Government of Bhutan with contributions from the Olympic Council of Asia under its Olympasia Project. Construction began in November 2012. (www.bhutanolympiccommittee.org)
NOC President Mohammad Fahim Hashimi thanked the ministry for recognising the athletes and said Afghan athletes had earned the pride of the nation in recent Asian tournaments.
Bahrain Speaking at a symposium on the 2015 WADA Code attended by 360 participants at the Gulf Hotel, Bahrain Olympic Committee General Secretary Abdulrahman Askar stressed the importance of fighting doping and providing the best possible conditions for national athletes.
Brunei Darussalam
A total of 87 athletes have been named in the Athletes Under Consideration category for the 28th South East Asian (SEA) Games in Singapore this June from a list of 427 athletes - 309 male and 118 female - nominated by the national sports associations. The President of the Brunei Darussalam NOC, HRH Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah, said the sports associations should be notified as quickly as possible to make further preparations. (www.bruneiolympic.org)
Cambodia
The IOC has expressed its deep appreciation to NOC Cambodia for the successful hosting of the “Women and Sport Leadership” seminar for Asia held on January 8-11 in Siem Reap and jointly organised by the NOC and IOC.
Guest speaker Dr Mohammed Saleh Konbaz of Saudi Arabia is pictured (right) receiving a memento from Abdulrahman Askar. (www.boc.bh)
Bangladesh
Commonwealth Games silver medallist Abdullah Hel Baki finished seventh among eight finalists in the 10m Air Rifle event of the Amir of Kuwait International Shooting Grand Prix in Kuwait City. Baki scored 99.7 points in the final after qualifying in fifth position with an aggregate score of 622 points, reports The Daily Star.
In a letter dated January 16, the Director of the IOC International Cooperation and Development Department, Lindsay Glassco, commended the great efforts of the NOC and thanked the Secretary General, HE Vath Chamroeun, and NOCC Expert/Adviser and Events Coordinator for the hospitality provided to the participants from 26 countries in Asia. (www.noccambodia.org)
China
Bhutan
His Royal Highness Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck, Representative of His Majesty the King and President of the Bhutan Olympic Com-
Sports Minister and COC President Liu Peng met with a delegation led by Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah, OCA and ANOC President, in Beijing on January 14. Liu thanked Sheikh Ahmad for his significant role in supporting China’s sports development over the years. The two sides also exchanged views on issues such as the COC’s cooperation with ANOC and OCA. Present were Yang Shu’an, Deputy Director of the General Administration of Sport in China and COC Vice President, and Yu Zaiqing, ANOC Vice President and COC Vice President. (www.olympic.cn)
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News and Sport from 45 NOCs
DPR Korea
DPRK marathon runner Kim Hye Gyong returned home on January27 after winning the women’s 15th Asian Marathon Championship and the 2015 Hong Kong Marathon. Kim and her teammates were greeted by officials and athletes at Pyongyang Railway Station. The coach and athletes laid bouquets before the statues of President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il on Mansu Hill and paid tribute to them, reports the Korean Central News Agency.
The Indonesian Olympic Committee held a Welcome Dinner at the Mulia Hotel in Jakarta for OCA President Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah, who led a high-level delegation from OCA to visit Jakarta in the lead up to the 18th Asian Games. The OCA delegation was welcomed by NOC President Mrs Rita Subowo and the Minister of Youth and Sport, Mr Imam Nahrawi. The NOC and OCA Presidents gave awards to the Indonesian athletes who won gold medals at the Incheon Asian Games 2014. Iran N.O.C.I.R.IRAN
Hong Kong, China The Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China organised the Samsung 2014 Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards Media Luncheon on January 26, inviting members of the sports media to vote for their favourite athletes and teams in various categories.
Iran NOC reports on January 24 that the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, received a number of Iranian athletes who took part in the 2014 Asian Games and Asian Para Games in Incheon, Korea.
Iran ranked fourth in the 2014 Para Games, having collected a total of 120 medals - 37 gold, 52 silver and 31 bronze. Iran finished fifth in the 17th Asian Games with 57 medals - 21 gold, 18 silver and 18 bronze. (www.olympic.ir) Public voting was open from January 10 to February 9 and the winners will be announced at the gala dinner onMarch 16. (www. hkolympic.org) India Five-time world boxing champion Mary Kom said she was honoured to be mentioned as one of India’s great achievers in a speech by visiting US President Barack Obama. The mother-of-three from Manipur has also been named as a boxing ambassador to promote the Tourism Authority of Thailand, reports The Times of India. Indonesia
Iraq The President of the Iraqi Olympic Committee, Raad Hamoudi, congratulated the football team on reaching the knockout stages of the AFC Asian Cup 2015 in Australia. “Qualification came as a result of the excellent work of all members of the coaching staff and players, who succeeded in bringing happiness to the Iraqi people,” he told All Iraq News (AIN). Iraq, champions in 2007, reached the semi-finals in Australia before losing to Korea. Japan Japan’s Tatsuhiro Yonemitsu, who won a gold medal at the London Olympics in the men’s 66-kg freestyle wrestling, will retire from competition, Kyodo News reports. Yonemitsu had been aiming to compete at next year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, but he has not returned to fitness after an injury. In 2012, Yonemitsu defeated Beijing Olympic champion Sushil Kumarin in the final to earn the first Olympic wrestling gold for Japan since the 1988 Seoul Games. (www.joc.or.jp)
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News and Sport from 45 NOCs
Jordan The Jordan Olympic Committee has launched a series of workshops to spread the Olympic Values throughout the Kingdom. In coordination with the Greater Amman Municipality, the workshops are being held for children across different areas of the city to teach them the value of sport and the role it can play in society.
A member of the martial arts committee at the Kuwaiti Olympic Committee, Khaled Al-Saleh, told KUNA (Kuwait News Agency) that the medal tally consisted of two gold, three silver and four bronze medals. The official lauded the performance of the team, promising more achievements in future tournaments. Kyrgyzstan The 38th international tournament dedicated to the memory of the Hero of the Soviet Union, Duishonkul Shopokov, was held in Bishkek on January 28, reports the Kabar National News Agency. “This year it is special, as this is the 100th anniversary of Dushonkul Shopokov and the 70th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. Therefore we decided to hold a tournament on a larger scale and invited guests and athletes from 10 countries,” said the Director of the State Agency of Physical Culture and Sports, Kadirbek Ergeshov. Laos
The first of five workshops was held in Wadi Al Haddadeh for four days, with the participation of 32 boys and girls aged between 11 and 17. (www.joc.jo) Kazakhstan The Almaty 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Bid Committee delivered its Candidature File to the IOC in Lausanne, Switzerland, on January 6. Almaty was represented by the Vice Mayor of Almaty City, Mrs. Zauresh Amanzholova; NOC Secretary General Mr. Timur Dossymbetov; Almaty 2022 Bid Board member Mr. Andrey Kryukov; Mr. Ilya Urazakov, Director General of the State Foundation “Organizing committee of the International sports events”, and by Ms. Oksana Rizanenko, IOC & IF Bid Relations Director. (www. almaty-2022.org)
The Chef de Mission of the Lao NOC at the 4th Asian Beach Games in Phuket, Singkham Naline, oversaw the team winning 12 medals, including two gold. Lebanon Antoine Chartier, the former Lebanese Olympic Committee President, was laid to rest in Ain Saade, Lebanon, on December 18. Family, loved ones and prominent politicians bid farewell in the enchanting setting of the Mont La Salle Sports Club that Mr Chartier founded during the country’s worst times, over 30 years ago, reports Ya Libnan. After the religious ceremony, the coffin was taken to the Sports Club to loud applause of teachers and students, some of whom could barely contain their emotions.
Korea President Park Geun-hye has called for thorough preparations for the 2018 Winter Olympics to be held in South Korea amid concerns of construction delays, reports Yonhap News Agency.
Macau, China
Macau’s seven medal-winners from the Incheon Asian Games were among the athletes and coaches rewarded for their efforts in 2014
The alpine city of Pyeongchang won the bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympics, beating Munich, Germany, and Annecy, France, in a vote by the IOC in 2011. Kuwait The Kuwaiti Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) team won nine medals at the Abu Dhabi tournament held with the participation of 251 BJJ practitioners from 30 countries.
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News and Sport from 45 NOCs by the Macau government’s Sports Development Board at a lavish ceremony on January 16. There were three silver medals, all in wushu, for Jia Rui, Li Yi and Huang Junhua, and four bronze medals, for Cheung Pui Si (karate), Paula Carion (karate), Liu Qing (taekwondo) and Wang Junnan (taekwondo). The silver medal-winners each received 120,000 MOP (15,000 USD) and the bronze medal-winners were given 80,000 MOP (10,000 USD). Their coaches received half this amount, resulting in a total government pay-out for the Asian Games of 1,020,000 MOP (127,500 USD). Malaysia The National Sports Council of Malaysia organised the “Athletes Concerns for Flood Victims Programme” on New Year’s Day at the Gimnasium 1 & 2, National Sports Council, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur. The programme was strongly supported by the Olympic Council of Malaysia and its affiliates, the National Sports Associations, as well as by retired, present and future national athletes, sports officials and sponsors who turned up in large numbers, bringing with them boxes and cartons of food items, as well donating money to Malaysian flood victims. (www.olympic.org.my)
Secretary-General Mrs E. Ochirsuren welcomed the Mongolian representatives at Olympic House and wished them fruitful training in the 2018 Winter Olympics city. Myanmar After a 17-year hiatus, the Myanmar National Sports Tournament was held in the capital Naypyitaw fromDecember 8-24 with hundreds of amateur athletes competing in 27 sports, with an additional seven para-sport events, reports the Myanmar Times. According to U Thaung Htike, vice minister at the Ministry of Sport, previous national sports tournaments were held in 1992, 1994 and 1997. The 2014 edition would be ideal preparation for the SEA Games in Singapore in June, he added. Nepal The NOC has been awarded six athlete scholarships from Olympic Solidarity for Rio 2016. They are Ms. Sangita Khadka (Athletics), Ms. Saraswati Rana (Boxing), Ms. Phupu Lamu Khatri (Judo), Ms. Sofia Shah (Swimming), Mr. Sirish Gurung (Swimming) and Ms. Nisha Rawal (Taekwondo). In accordance with the agreement, each scholarship holder will receive USD 670 per month for their training programme from January 1, 2015 to May 2016. (www.nocnepal.org)
Maldives The Maldives Olympic Committee selected Moosa Munsif Ahmed (Table tennis Association) and Fadhuwa Zahir (Football Association) to participate in the 2nd Asian Athletes’ Forum in Kuwait from January 22-24. (www.nocmaldives.org) Mongolia Mongolia NOC, in cooperation with the Mongolian Ski Federation, will send three athletes aged 16 and one coach to the Dream 2015 Winter Sports Programme conducted by Gangwon Province and the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games Organising Committee. The cross-country skiers are B. Gombodorj, B. Batshur and Ts. Munkhchimeg, supported by the coach, Ya. Munkhdulam. Mongolia NOC President Dr D. Zagdsuren and Ski Federation
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Oman Oman Olympic Committee celebrated Olympic Day 2014 on Monday, December 22 in five governorates of the Sultanate: Muscat, Nizwa, Sohar, Salalah and Buraimi. In Muscat, Olympic activities were staged in Al Qurum Park from 3pm-6pm under the auspices of Sheikh Talal bin Said Al Maamari, CEO of Omantel, and in the presence of Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed Al Zubair, OCC Board Chairman, and members of the organising committee. The Olympic Day included several activities such as bowling, karate, traditional games, weightlifting, athletics, handball, basketball, volleyball, tennis, ball games, group run and walk, table tennis, hockey, pentathlon and squash as well as the accompanying exhibitions.
News and Sport from 45 NOCs
Pakistan
Singapore
Pakistan NOC celebrated five medals in ju-jitsu at the 4th Asian Beach Games in Phuket – two gold and three silver. The two gold medals were won by Muhammad Ammar and Abu Hurrara in men’s duo and by Ahmad Butt in the men’s individual fight of +90 kg.
The Singapore National Olympic Council inked an agreement with Sunrise & Company, extending its 42-year partnership with the Yonex distributor. The six-year deal will see Sunrise continue to kit Team Singapore athletes and officials heading to major Games with Yonex-branded apparel from the 2015 Southeast Asian Games to the 2020 Olympic Games. (www.snoc.org.sg)
Pakistan won 10 medals in total at Phuket – two gold, four silver and four bronze. (www.nocpakistan.org) Palestine Palestine competed in the 2015 Arab Club Judo Championships in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in the last week of January. The teams also included Qatar, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Yemen, Iraq, Libya, UEA, Kuwait, Jordan, Morocco and Saudi Arabia. (www.olympic.qa) Philippines The Philippine Olympic Committee website (www.olympic.ph) reported on the excellent performances of long distance runners Mary Grace de los Santos and Christabel Martes, who came in second and third respectively in the show case 21.1km Elite event of the ninth Great Eastern Women’s Run in Singapore. They were edged out by Hsieh Chien Ho, who came in at 1:22:17. De los Santos clocked 1:24:21 and Martes 1:25:32. This result augurs well for Philippine women’s long distance running. (www. olympic.ph) Qatar HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee, received a letter of thanks from HE Abdullah bin Musaed bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, General President of KSA’s Youth Welfare and President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee.
Sri Lanka
Upon the request of NOC Sri Lanka, Olympic Solidarity has awarded an Olympic Scholarship for Rio 2016 to the following five athletes: E. Niluka Rushan Perera Karunaratne (Badminton), K. Anton Sudesh Peiris (Weightlifting), W. Chamara Milinda Perera (Wrestling), R.M. Chandrika Subashini Rasnayaka (Athletics) and R. Chamara Nuwan Dharmawardhana (Judo). (www.srilankaolympic.org) Syria The Sports Journalists Committee, in cooperation with the Quneitra Branch of the General Sports Federation, honored a number of Syrian athletes and media establishments for their role in covering the crisis and conveying the reality of the events in Syria, reports the Syrian Arab News Agency.
The letter states: “HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the Secretary General of Qatar Olympic Committee, with great thanks I received your condolences message following the passing of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and King of Saudi Arabia, His Majesty King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud”. (www.olympic.qa)
Saudi Arabia
Prince Turki bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Riyadh region, received the Secretary General of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee, Mohammed bin Hassan Al Mishal, and the President of the Arab Air Sports Federation, Dr. Mubarak AlSuwailem. During the meeting, they discussed a number of topics relating to sports activities and events in the Riyadh region, reports the Saudi Press Agency.
The honored athletes were: Mohammad Khaled al-Mohammad (para games shot put/javelin), Majd Ghazal (high jump) and Saleh Mohammad (marathon swimming).
Chinese Taipei
At the invitation of the Chinese Taipei Triathlon Association, the Vice President of the Asian Triathlon Confederation, Mr Tom T. Carrasco,
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News and Sport from 45 NOCs
who is also Chairman of the Philippine Olympic Committee, and Mr Datuk Balwant Singh Kler, Secretary General of the Confederation, visited Taiwan from January 16-22. The delegation was on a venue inspection tour to New Taipei City for the 2015 Asian Triathlon Championships to be held from June 13-14 as one of the qualification tournaments of Rio 2016. They also called on the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee on January 20. Mr Kevin Chen, CTOC Secretary General, received them on behalf of President Hong-Dow Lin.
United Arab Emirates
The Executive Office of the NOC reviewed - in its sixth meeting for the Olympic quadrennial 2013-2016 - the new sports developments in addition to all reports and technical proposals for future games participation. It also reviewed the decisions of the Higher Committee for School Olympics. Attendees started by expressing thanks and appreciation to HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, President of the UAE NOC, for the unlimited support accorded to all sports and Olympic events in the UAE. The meeting, which was chaired by HE Abdul Rahman Al Owais, Minister of Health, Vice President of the UAE NOC and Chairman of the Executive Office, was attended by HE Advisor Mohammed Al Kamali, Secretary General of the NOC; Engineer Dawood Al Hajri, Assistant Secretary General of the NOC as well as other members and sports figures. (www.uaenoc.net) Uzbekistan
Tajikistan Tajik athletes won 43 medals, including 10 gold, at the CIS Open Cup - part of the ITF Taekwondo World Cup - in Minsk, reports Asia-Plus. The three-day tournament, held at the Minsk Arena Velodrome, involved 1,200 athletes aged 7 to 39 from 13 countries. Thailand Thailand’s Sports and Tourism Minister, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, praised the concept of the OCA’s Asian Beach Games during the fourth edition of the ABG at Phuket. While waiting to greet the OCA President on his arrival at Karon Beach for a medal presentation, she said the ABG was an ideal vehicle to promote both sport and tourism, giving the host city the opportunity to showcase its resorts and natural beauty while offering additional entertainment value to locals and tourists alike.(www.olympicthai.or.th)
The NOC hopes that the exceptional performances of their athletes at the Nanjing YOG last August can inspire more Olympic medals in Rio 2016. An official ceremony took place in the city of Chirchik to honour the YOG participants. It was highlighted during the event that constant attention is being paid under the leadership of President Islam Karimov to the development of sports as one of the most critical means in nurturing a physically and spiritually advanced younger generation, and thus extensive opportunities are being created to boost physical cultural and sports.
Timor-Leste Under the topic “12 months, 12 good news stories for Timor-Leste”, the Government of Timor-Leste celebrated the country’s participation - on February 7 - for the first time in the Winter Olympic Games, proudly represented by Yohan Gonçalves Goutt. Turkmenistan The State Committee for Sports of Turkmenistan announced the top 10 athletes of 2014, reports the State News Agency of Turkmenistan. They were: Gulbadam Babamuratov (belt wrestling), Serdar Hudayberdiyev (boxing), Aziz Bebitov (boxing), Shermet Permanov (Greco-Roman wrestling), Salahetdin Bayramov (wushu), Jennet Aynazarova (wushu), Tirkeshgeldi Ayazov (belt wrestling), Saparmurat Atabayev (chess), Valentina Simakova (para powerlifting) and Sergey Meladze (para powerlifting).
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Vietnam Vietnam finished a creditable fifth in the medal rankings at the 4th Asian Beach Games in Phuket with eight gold medals, 12 silver and 20 bronze, but will be planning to close the gap on Thailand when the 5th ABG is held at Nha Trang and Danang in 2016. Thailand claimed 56 gold medals in Phuket. (www.voc.org.vn) Yemen Asian Football Confederation President Shaikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has expressed his deep sadness over the passing away of former Yemen Football Association President Mohammed Al Qadi. The AFC President stated that he appreciates the great contributions of Al Qadi and stressed that his dedication to Yemeni football and the game in general will always be remembered. (www.the-afc.com)
Obituary China’s ‘Mr Olympics’ He Zhenliang
T
he man known as “Mr Olympics” in China, He Zhenliang, passed away on January 4. He was 85.
A career politician, Mr He was instrumental in bringing China back into the Olympic Movement and also in winning the bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. He was elected as an IOC member in 1981, serving in the role until 2010, when he became IOC honorary member. He sat on the IOC Executive Board three times (1985-1989, 1994-1998 and 1999-2003) and was an IOC Vice President from 1989 to 1993. IOC President Thomas Bach asked that the Olympic flag be flown at half-mast for three days in tribute to the great Olympic ambassador. Mr He served as the Secretary General of the Chinese Olympic Committee between 1982 and 1986, Vice President from 1986 to 1989 and President between 1989 and 1994.
Tragedy strikes Lebanon NOC
F
ormer Lebanon NOC President Antoine Chartier died after being struck by a car on December 15. He was 77.
Mr Chartier was a role model for all athletes and sports officials in Lebanon. He was once a great athlete – and then coach – of the national volleyball team and was also president of the basketball federation. More than 30 years ago he created the Mont La Salle sports club and kept it one of the best in Lebanon right up to the present day.
Japan NOC mourns loss of judo great Saito
H
itoshi Saito, a two-time Olympic judo champion and former men’s national team coach, passed away on January 20 after a short illness. He was 54. Japanese Olympic Committee President Tsunekazu Takeda expressed his shock at the sudden news. “As a player and coach he really gave it his all. I had the impression he was a serious and conscientious person,” Takeda said.
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OCA Sports Diary
2015
Buenos Aires, Argentina: August 19 IOC Coordination Commission
Kuwait: March 04 – 05 The Independence of Sports Organisations and Federations Forum Muscat, Oman: March 08-19 4th GCC Women’s Games
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan: September 07-08 34th OCA General Assembly
Maldives: March 13 Olympic Solidarity Commission
PyeongChang, Korea: September 22 IOC Coordination Commission
PyeongChang, Korea: March 17 IOC Coordination Commission
Lausanne, Switzerland: October 08 IOC 7th Athletes’ Forum
Doha, Qatar: April 03-16 GCC Beach Games
Washington DC, USA: October 27 ANOC Commissions and Working Group meetings
Sochi, Russia: April 19 13th Sport Accord International Convention
Washington DC, USA: October 28 ANOC Executive Council & Continental Association Meetings
Samoa: September 05-12 5th Commonwealth Youth Games
Lausanne, Switzerland: May 06 International Convention for Careers in Sport Doha, Qatar: May 18 5th World Stadium Congress
Washington DC, USA: October 29 20th ANOC General Assembly Taipei: November 11 Annual UPIM Congress
Tehran, Iran: May 21 66th OCA Executive Board
Lausanne, Switzerland: December 8 IOC Executive Board
Lima, Peru: May 26 7th IOC Athlete Career Programme Forum
2016
Singapore: June 05 – 16 28th South East Asian Games
Lillehammer, Norway: February 26 – March 6 II Winter Youth Olympic Games
Lausanne, Switzerland: June 08 ANOC Executive Council and Inauguration of new ANOC HQ
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: August 5 – 21 XXXI Olympic Summer Games
Lausanne, Switzerland: June 09 Evaluation Commission Report/Candidate Cities Briefing for IOC Members
Danang, Vietnam: September 24 – October 3 5th Asian Beach Games
Tokyo, Japan: June 30 IOC Coordination Commission
2017
Gwangju, Korea: July 03-14 28th Summer Universiade
Sapporo, Japan: February 19 – 26 8th Asian Winter Games
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: July 27 IOC Executive Board
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan (Dates to be confirmed) 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: July 30 128th IOC Session Opening Ceremony
Colombo, Sri Lanka (Dates to be confirmed) 3rd Asian Youth Games
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: July 31 Election of Host City for 2022 Winter Olympics
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: August 13 IOC Coordination Commission
PyeongChang, Korea: February 09 – 25 XXIII Olympic Winter Games
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: August 17 Chef de Mission Seminar for 2016 Olympic Games
OCA Sponsors Club
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2018
Jakarta, Indonesia: August 18 – September 02 18th Asian Games, Jakarta 2018