Official Newsletter of the Olympic Council of Asia
Edition 32 - March 2016
FAST AND FURIOUS!
WINTER YOG PHOTO SPECIAL
OCA General Assembly 2016 OCA/OS Regional Forums Schedule OCA Games Updates 2016-2018 Asia’s Road to Rio
Contents
Inside your new-look 36-page Sporting Asia
3
14
President’s Message Sheikh visits Dublin
4–6 News in Pictures
7 Obituary
16
8 – 11 Asia’s Road to Rio 2016
12 – 13 12th South Asian Games India-2016
14 – 15
17
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
4th RADO Conference, Bangkok
Executive Secretary Nayaf Sraj nayaf@ocasia.org
Inside the OCA
Olympic Council of Asia PO Box 6706, Hawalli Zip Code 32042 Kuwait
Winter YOG, Lillehammer 2016
Telephone: +965 22274277 - 88 Fax: +965 22274280 - 90 Email: info@ocasia.org Website: www.ocasia.org
16 17 – 20 21 – 23
21
OCA Games Update 2016-2018
24 – 33 10 Pages of News and Photos from 45 NOCs
Front cover:
34 – 35 OCA Standing Committees 2015-2019
24 Page 02
36 OCA Sports Diary
Action from the semi-finals of the women’s 500m short track speed skating at Lillehammer 2016, with China’s Zang Yize out in front. Photo: Jed Leicester/ YIS/IOC.
President’s Message
RIO OLYMPICS OFFERS SPORT THE CHANCE TO SHINE AGAIN
F
irst of all welcome to the new-look Sporting Asia!
At the start of an Olympic Games year, the sports world is focused on Rio 2016 – and Sporting Asia is no exception. As well as a new design and an increase in the number of pages to 36, Sporting Asia also has a new feature, “Road to Rio”, in which we will be reporting on the qualifying events for the Olympic Games and looking ahead to upcoming championships with Rio places up for grabs. We have also expanded the news and sports section for our 45 National Olympic Committees due to the amount of activities throughout the five zones; this will provide more space for photographs and reports from our NOCs. As I said in my New Year message on the OCA website, the Rio Olympics this August gives international sport the perfect chance to restore the faith of the sports-loving public around the world. There have been far too many negative issues in the recent past, such as doping, match-fixing and corruption among sports leaders, and it is time to redress the balance and put sport - and the athletes - first again. The Olympic Games provides us with this opportunity. We will see performances that will go down in sports history and witness gold medals that have been earned from years of dedication, sacrifice and determination. We will see bravery and courage from athletes that will inspire a nation, and we will share in the joy of achievement and accomplishment of athletes who have simply managed to live their dream and compete in the Greatest Sports Show on Earth. Through our quarterly newsletter Sporting Asia, we hope to set the scene for Rio 2016 and show our pride in our Asian athletes. Wishing you all a happy and successful Olympic Year 2016!
Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah President, Olympic Council of Asia President, Association of National Olympic Committees Chairman, IOC Olympic Solidarity Commission
SHEIKH AHMAD VISITS DUBLIN FOR MEETING WITH EOC PRESIDENT
T
he President of ANOC, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, visited the President of the European Olympic Committees (EOC), Patrick Hickey, in Dublin on February 11 for a high-level meeting about supporting NOCs and their athletes during this Olympic year.
extremely useful and I am looking forward to holding similar discussions with ONOC President Mitchell, ANOCA President Palenfo and PASO President Maglione.”
The Director General of the OCA, Husain Al Musallam, also attended the discussions, along with senior executives of the Olympic Council of Ireland. Sheikh Ahmad said: “ANOC is striving to deliver an unprecedented level of assistance and support to all the world’s NOCs. The only way we can achieve this is with the support of our five continental associations. “My discussions today with President Hickey have been
Sheikh Ahmad with President Hickey and Captain Husain.
Page 03
News in Pictures
MALDIVES HOSTS FINA CAMP: Clinics for swimming officials in the Maldives was one of six development initiatives held by world swimming’s governing body FINA towards the end of last year. (www.fina.org)
CHINESE DOUBLE IN TABLE TENNIS: Ma Long (right), the 2015 world champion, and 2015 Women's World Cup winner Liu Shiwen (left) were named male and female player of the year, respectively, at the 2015 International Table Tennis Federation Star Awards in Lisbon, Portugal. Page 04
FONG APPOINTED IWWF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: The International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation has appointed Paul Fong from Singapore as the new Executive Director, effective March 1, 2016.
News in Pictures
IOC HONOUR FOR LI: Three-time world badminton champion and IOC Member Li Lingwei of China is one of five high-profile former athletes to be appointed by IOC President Thomas Bach to the World Olympians Association Executive Committee to represent the IOC. (http://olympians.org)
ALIBABA JOINS FIGHT FOR BOXING: The International Boxing Association (AIBA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Sports Group to support the global development of boxing. AIBA President CK Wu (right) and Alibaba founder and Chairman Jack Ma are pictured at the Olympic Museum. (www.aiba.org)
ITU PRESIDENT VISITS NEPAL: International Triathlon Union President and IOC Member Marisol Casado visited Nepal to oversee a schools project funded by the ITU’s US$10,500 Nepal Earthquake Campaign. (www.triathlon.org)
CHINESE DIVERS WIN FINA AWARD: China’s He Chao and Shi Tingmao were named FINA Athlete of the Year 2015 in the diving category for men and women, respectively, at the 2nd FINA World Aquatics Gala in Budapest, Hungary, on January 31. ANOC and OCA President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah was among the VIP guests. (www.fina.org) Page 05
News in Pictures
YU ZAIQING RE-ELECTED WUSHU PRESIDENT: The International Wushu Federation Congress re-elected China’s Yu Zaiqing as President for 2015-19 on the sidelines of the 13th World Wushu Championships in Jakarta, Indonesia. (www.iwuf.org).
JUDO WINS AWARD: The International Judo Federation has won the 2015 Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award in the International Creative Organisation Award category for its efforts to bring judo and its values to 300 children in the refugee camp in Kilis, Turkey, on the border with Syria. (www.ijf.org)
FAI WELCOMES DUBAI ORGANISERS: The World Air Sports Federation (FAI) Executive Board and the organisers of the FAI World Air Games Dubai 2015, including Event Director HE Youssif Al Hammadi, held a joint meeting at the FAI HQ in Lausanne, Switzerland, on January 30 following the success of the FAI’s flagship event in December. (www.fai.org) Page 06
Obituary
KAZAKHSTAN MOURNS LOSS OF POPULAR ‘TIM’
T
he sports movement in Kazakhstan suffered an irreparable loss on December 3, 2015, when the Vice President of the NOC, Timur Dosymbetov, passed away aged 58 after a long illness. A friendly and popular figure at local, regional and continental levels, Tim - as he liked to be known - played a major role in the establishment of the NOC in 1990 following the break-up of the Soviet Union. He was the first president of the NOC and later vice president and general secretary. He was also a key member of Almaty’s bid to host the Winter Olympics in 2022, losing narrowly to Beijing. Born in Almaty, Tim was a keen swimmer and eventually became a world-class athlete in modern pentathlon with the USSR national team. OCA President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah said Tim had been a significant influence in the rise of sport in Kazakhstan and in Central Asia and his hard work and friendly character would be sadly missed in the OCA.
Timur Dosymbetov.
CHEN LUYUN
TUNKU ADNAN
A member of China’s women’s basketball team at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, Chen Luyun, died of colon cancer on December 23. She was 38.
The Olympic Council of Malaysia announced the passing of former NOC Vice President Tunku Dato’ Seri Adnan Tunku Besar Burhanuddin on February 8. He was 89.
Chen, from Xiamen in Fujian province, also represented China in the World Junior Championship in 1997 and World Championship in 2002 and led China to the Youth Olympic Games title as coach.
He was NOC VP from 1982 to 1986 and President of the Malaysian Judo Federation for many years. He was Malaysia’s Chef de Mission at the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand, the 1974 Asian Games in Tehran, Iran, and the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games.
MIKE SHEPHERDSON Mike Shepherdson, a dual international for Malaysia in hockey and cricket and who represented the State of Selangor at football, passed away on February 13, aged 85. He played hockey for Malaysia at the Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games and at the Asian Games in Tokyo in 1958 and Jakarta in 1962.
ABDUL RAHIM AHMAD Abdul Rahim Ahmad, a decorated hockey player for Malaysia in the World Cup, Asian Games, SEA Games and Inter-Continental Cup, passed away on February 13. He was 59. After retiring as a player he served as vice president of the Selangor Hockey Association.
TSUGUTO KITANO The International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF) paid tribute to Tsuguto Kitano, the long-time president of the Japanese Bobsleigh, Luge and Skeleton Federation, who died on December 16, 2015 aged 92. As well as developing bobsleigh and skeleton in Japan and Asia, he promoted Nagano as a candidate city for the 1998
Winter Olympics and then played an important role in the successful organisation of the Games. “With Tsuguto Kitano, sliding sport in Japan has lost a great promoter,” said IBSF President Ivo Ferriani. “We will hold his memory in honour.”
Page 07
Road to Rio
AFC PRESIDENT HAILS 'MAGNIFICENT' JAPAN South Korea and Iraq also qualify for Rio football tournament
J
apan, Korea Republic and Iraq will represent Asia in the Olympic Games football tournament this summer following the AFC U23 Championship in Doha, Qatar. The championship, which was held from January 12-31, doubled up as an Olympic qualifier, with the top three teams booking a place at Rio.
But the introduction of Japanese substitute Takuma Asano on the hour mark changed the course of the game, and he produced two exquisite finishes either side of a Shinya Yajima header to earn Japan a famous 3-2 victory and the title of Asian under-23 champions.
Having won their semi-finals, regional rivals Japan and Korea were safely through to Brazil, leaving the beaten semi-finalists – Iraq and host Qatar – to scrap for Asia’s third and final spot in a match more important than the final itself. The majority of the 10,000 fans at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium were rooting for Qatar, but Iraq showed tremendous character and determination to fight back from 1-0 down in the first half to win 2-1 after extra time.
The AFC President, Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, congratulated Japan on their “magnificent performances” throughout the tournament.
The final was a repeat of the bronze medal decider at London 2012, won by Korea to deny their bitter rivals Japan a place on the podium.
“In Japan, Korea Republic and Iraq, Asia will have a strong trio in the Olympics,” he said.
Korea looked to have taken this one, too, as Kwon Chang-hoon and Jin Seong-uk gave them a 2-0 lead two minutes into the second half.
Sixteen teams took part in the AFC U23 Championship, with the top two teams in each of the four groups advancing to the knockout rounds.
KNOCKOUT ROUNDS Quarter-finals Japan 3 Iran 0 Qatar 2 DPR Korea 1 Korea 1 Jordan 0 Iraq 3 UAE 1 Semi-finals Japan 2 Iraq 1 Korea 3 Qatar 1 Third place playoff Iraq 2 Qatar 1 Final Japan 3 Korea 2
Japan’s Takuma Asano (16) scored two superb goals in the final after coming off the bench. Page 08
Qualifiers Japan Korea Iraq
Road to Rio
NEW DELHI SHOOT-OUT OFFERS 35 PLACES FOR RIO
O
ver 500 athletes from the five zones of the continent converged on New Delhi, India, for the Asia Olympic Qualifying Competition for Shooting. Held from January 26 to February 2 at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range, there were 35 quota places available for Rio 2016 across the 15 events. Mr. Shri Raninder Singh, Chairman of the Organising Committee and President of the National Rifle Association of India, addressed the opening ceremony on January 26 and introduced the President of the International Shooting Sport Federation, Mr. Olegario Vazquez Raña, and other dignitaries.
The 35 Olympic quota places were distributed as follows: 5 – Japan 4 – Korea, India, Independent Shooting Participant 3 – Iran 2 – United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Thailand, DPR Korea, Qatar 1 – Malaysia, Chinese Taipei, Kazakhstan, China, Saudi Arabia.
The Guest of Honour was HRH Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck, President of the Bhutan Olympic Committee. The ISSF President welcomed the 538 shooters to Asia’s Olympic qualifier. “India and Asia are very important to the shooting sport world, and I’m very satisfied with the progress of our sport within the Asian continent,” he told the audience. Rapid Fire News: Japan topped the medals table with five gold and two bronze medals and also earned the highest number of Rio 2016 quota places from the competition – five. Korea Republic won the most medals with 10 (3-2-5) and earned four quota places – the same as India and Independent Shooting Participant, referring to the athletes from suspended Kuwait.
Independent Shooting Participant Abdulrahman Al Faihan celebrates winning the men’s trap.
Iran’s Najmeh Khedmati celebrates her victory in the 10m air rifle competition. Page 09
Road to Rio
FIRST 60 BOXERS CONFIRMED FOR RIO
T
he International Boxing Association (AIBA) has announced the names of the first 60 athletes to have qualified for the men’s boxing competition of the 2016 Olympic Games. The 60 boxers come from 24 countries and will feature among a total of 286 battling for Olympic gold in the Rio ring. They qualified through one of three events: AIBA Pro Boxing tournaments (20 boxers), World Series of Boxing Season Five (17) and the 2015 AIBA World Boxing Championships in Doha (23).
work of the AIBA family in the development of the sport of boxing, and I would like to congratulate our member federations, the qualified boxers and all those involved,” said AIBA President CK Wu. A further 190 men and 36 women will be confirmed for Rio 2016 over the coming months, with AIBA’s Olympic qualifying calendar including an event in Qian’an, China, from March 23-April 3, and the women’s world championships in Kazakhstan (see article below).
“The qualification of 60 boxers is a demonstration of the hard The list of qualified boxers, all male, for Rio includes: China (3): Lyu Bin (46-49kg), Zhang Jiawei (56kg), Liu Wei (69kg). Iran (1): (81kg).
Ehsan
Rouzbahani
Kazakhstan (4): Birzhan Zhakypov (46-49kg), Berik Abdrakhmanov (60kg), Daniyar Yeleussinov (69kg), Vassiliy Levit (91kg). Thailand (1): Wuttichai Masuk (64kg).
Uzbekistan’s Bektemir Melikuziev, 19, celebrates another victory. He was named Asian Boxing Confederation Best Male Boxer for 2015. Photo: Inside the Games.
Uzbekistan (4): Murodjon Akhmadaliev (56kg), Hurshid Tojibaev (60kg), Fazliddin Gaibnazarov (64kg), Bektemir Melikuziev (75kg).
ASTANA OFFERS 12 PLACES FOR WOMEN’S BOXING As well as 10 world titles up for grabs, more importantly there will be 12 quota places for Rio – four in each of the three Olympic weight categories. The president of the local organising committee, Bolat Abdrakhmanov, is in no doubt that the women’s world boxing championships will be one of the most memorable events on the sporting calendar.
A
fter a spectacular debut at London 2012, women’s boxing is growing in popularity around the world; so much so that over 300 fighters are set to take part in the 9th AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, from May 19-27. Page 10
“People love boxing in Kazakhstan, so it will be great for them to be able to witness its stars compete,” he says. “The women’s world boxing championships are another reason for more women in our country to get involved in this great sport.”
Road to Rio
PREPARE FOR MADNESS IN MANILA!
T
here is no doubt that basketball is king in the Philippines.
So prepare for a few days of hoops hysteria at the Mall of Asia in July when Manila hosts one of three FIBA qualifying events for Rio. Nine of the 12 Olympic places are already taken, leaving 18 teams from around the world to battle for the three remaining slots in the men’s basketball competition.
in the world. The fans are the main advantage, and local officials are hoping they will serve as the sixth man of the team when play commences, especially as Manila has not hosted an event of this magnitude for decades.
OQT IN MANILA
The Philippines are ranked third in Asia and 28th in the world so will be very much the underdogs against fifth-ranked France and 21st-ranked New Zealand in Group B.
Event: FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament
Still, despite the tough road ahead, the vibe in Manila is that this is a win-win situation for some of the most rabid basketball fans
Venue: Mall of Asia, Manila
Dates: July 5-10, 2016
Group A: Turkey, Senegal, Canada. Group B: France, New Zealand, Philippines The two other FIBA OQT: *Italy, July 4-9: Greece, Mexico, Iran, Tunisia, Croatia, Italy. *Serbia, July 4-9: Serbia, Angola, Puerto Rico, Japan, Czech Republic, Latvia. Note: Only the winner of each tournament qualifies for Rio. The Philippines are counting on their basketball-crazy fans as the sixth man.
Qualified teams (9): Brazil, China, USA, Spain, Nigeria, Venezuela, Australia, Lithuania, Argentina.
VOLLEYBALL FEVER IN JAPAN
J
apan just can’t get enough of international volleyball, and this year is no exception as the Rio Olympics come into view. Japan will host two massive events in May – a World Olympic Qualifying Tournament for women and men that will also serve as the Asian qualifier.
12-team draw in Rio from each of the qualifying events in Japan. The women are up first, with an eight-team tournament from May 14-22. The teams are: Japan, Korea, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Netherlands, Italy, Peru and the Dominican Republic. An eight-nation men’s qualifier will follow from May 28-June 5. The teams are: Japan, Australia, China, Iran, France, Poland, Venezuela and Canada. Note: Women’s teams already qualified for Rio: Brazil, China, Serbia, Russia, USA, Argentina, Cameroon.
The top three teams will qualify for Rio, along with the best ranked Asian team. If an Asian team finishes in the top three, the next best team will qualify, guaranteeing four places for the
Men's teams already qualified for Rio: Brazil, USA, Italy, Argentina, Russia, Cuba, Egypt. Page 11
12th South Asian Games 2016
CO-HOST CITIES GUWAHATI, SHILLONG WRITE ‘GOLDEN PAGE’ IN INDIAN SPORTS HISTORY
I
ndia was a winner in more ways than one when Guwahati and Shillong co-hosted the 12th South Asian Games 2016 from February 5-16. Apart from running away from their seven regional rivals at the top of the medals table, the Games also brought prestige to the north-east of the country and boosted sports infrastructure, while promoting trade and tourism throughout the South Asia zone.
The Sports Minister thanked the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, for declaring the Games open on February 5 and paid tribute to all the stakeholders who had worked hard to make the Games such a big success. These included the national government, the state governments of Assam and Meghalaya, the Indian Olympic Association, the South Asia Olympic Council and all the sports federations.
The Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, and Chairman of the Organising Committee, Sarbananda Sonowal, said the event had assumed great significance because all eight countries had pledged to promote peace in South Asia. “The successful conduct of these Games has written a golden page in the history of the North Eastern region,” he told the closing ceremony. “They have not only set a quality benchmark for the conduct of future Games but also given an astounding boost to the confidence of the North East region to host much bigger international sporting events in the future.
The 12th South Asian Games 2016 was the first international multi-sport event in the North East region and attracted around 2,600 athletes from eight NOCs: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
“The Games have also provided a huge boost to the sports infrastructure in Guwahati and Shillong for the athletes in this region to hone their sporting skills.”
India won 188 of the 239 gold medals on offer, and 308 medals in total. Sri Lanka came in second with 25 gold medals, followed by Pakistan with 12.
Indian archer Tarundeep Rai takes aim.
PM Modi declares the Games open.
Page 12
12th South Asian Games 2016
FINAL MEDAL TABLE
12th South Asian Games Opening Ceremony: February 5 Closing Ceremony: February 16 NOCs: 8 Athletes: 2,600 Sports: 22 Volunteers: 1,200 Total participants: 4,500 Next host: Nepal
Ra nk
NOC
Total
1
India
188
90
30
308
2
Sri Lanka
25
63
98
186
3
Pakistan
12
37
57
106
4
Afghanistan
7
9
19
35
5
Bangladesh
4
15
56
75
6
Nepal
3
23
34
60
7
Maldives
0
2
1
3
8
Bhutan
0
1
15
16
Total
239
240
310
789
India’s MC Mary Kom on her way to victory over Akter Shamina (Bangladesh). Page 13
4th RADO Conference
OCA RENEWS COMMITMENT IN FIGHT FOR CLEAN SPORT
T
he Director General of the Olympic Council of Asia, Husain Al Musallam, reiterated the OCA’s total commitment towards clean sport at the 4th Regional Anti-Doping Organisation (RADO) Conference in Bangkok.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Saturday, January 16, Capt. Husain said the partnership between the OCA and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was based on “friendship and trust” over a number of years. “The OCA is really giving full support to WADA and also to the Regional AntiDoping Organisations and National AntiDoping Organisations around Asia,” he said. “We are working as a real partner with WADA to maintain clean sport and to protect clean athletes and society in general.” Capt. Husain added that the OCA was very active “on the ground” in this fight against doping, and that the OCA investment enabled its National Olympic Committees to follow the WADA rules and guidelines in creating a consistent global policy.
Group photo at the 4th RADO Conference.
The three-day conference produced a series of recommendations aimed at improving day-to-day operations, communications, programme implementation and funding for the 127 member countries of 16 RADOs, five of which are in Asia.
THAILAND BOOSTS SPORTS PROFILE WITH RADO HOSTING
T
he hosting of the 4th RADO Conference at the Centara Grand Convention Centre in downtown Bangkok from January 16-18 was another step on the path to recognition as an international sports hub, according to Thailand’s Sports Minister. Already well-established at the regional and continental levels, the Kingdom has high hopes of becoming a global sports centre under the Minister of Tourism and Sport, HE Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul. “We are aiming to have Thailand one of the sports destinations - a sports hub - in the world,” she told the opening ceremony. “We believe that sport must be clean, so the results of this conference are significant around the world. “You can help Thailand become one of the best destinations for sport.” The conference was supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, the Sports Authority of Thailand and the Thailand NOC as well as the OCA. Page 14
The Thai Sports Minister with WADA’s Rob Koehler.
4th RADO Conference
‘GOBI’ EARNS MAHMOUD AWARD
A
nyone who has seen Gobinathan Nair in action at an antidoping presentation cannot fail to be impressed by his enthusiasm and his ability to communicate with students of all ages. So it was fitting that the popular ‘Gobi’ should receive the Mahmoud Ali Khalifah Award for 2015 in honour of the former OCA anti-doping head who passed away in 2011. “I am very humbled by this award,” Gobi said at the award presentation on the closing afternoon of the 4th RADO Conference. “It is not for me, but for the whole of the South East Asia region and all of the stakeholders for their support,” added Gobi, Director-General of the SEA RADO, based in Singapore. “Mahmoud contributed tremendously to our National AntiDoping Organisation in Singapore. He knew what Asia was all about and there was a lot of realism in what he spoke about.” During his award introduction, WADA’s Rob Koehler said Mahmoud was a loss to the anti-doping community and to the OCA. “He was a giver and is still giving,” he said. “The award was created on his behalf for the RADOs.”
Gobinathan Nair with the Mahmoud award.
KENYAN GREAT KIP KEINO STILL PLAYING TRUE
O
lympic track legend Kip Keino retired in 1973 with nothing to prove – but everything to gain from educating the young generations on the dangers of doping across all sports. The 76-year-old Kenyan, who won two Olympic gold medals at Mexico 1968 (1,500 metres) and Munich 1972 (3,000 metres steeplechase), was attending the 4th RADO Conference as Chairman of Africa Zone 5. In an interview with the OCA, Kip stated firmly that he thought money was at the root of all evil and that education was the most important weapon in the fight against doping. He wasn’t blaming the athlete alone, as the riches available in elite track and field competition these days often left the athlete vulnerable to unscrupulous agents, managers and coaches. “We need education and we need laws of the land in place to punish offenders,” he said. “In my days we did not know anything about drugs. We were talented people. In the venues today we want talented people and honest people that don’t use any chemicals.”
Kip Keino proudly displays the WADA slogan, Play True. Page 15
Inside the OCA
BANGKOK, DOHA TO HOST REGIONAL FORUMS
T
he Olympic Solidarity/OCA Regional Forums for 2016 will be held in Thailand and Qatar in May, the OCA announced on February 16.
The OCA is requesting that both delegates attending the regional forums from each NOC should be involved in the preparations for Rio, including the Chef de Mission, or Deputy CDM if the team leader is not available.
In a circular to the President and Secretary General of National Olympic Committees in the five zones, the OCA said that the regional forum for NOCs from South Asia, South East Asia and East Asia would take place in Bangkok on May 16-17. The OS/OCA regional forum roadshow will then move on to Doha for the second leg, for NOCs from West Asia and Central Asia, on May 20-21.
Although the final agenda for the forums has not been confirmed, it is expected to include updates from Games organisers, including: 5th Asian Beach Games Danang, Vietnam, this September 8th Asian Winter Games Sapporo, Japan, in February 2017
With the Summer Olympic Games in Brazil opening on August 5, the two regional forums will give the NOCs the chance to take part in the pre-Delegation Registration Meetings with Rio organisers.
5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, in September 2017 18th Asian Games Jakarta-Palembang, Indonesia, in August 2018.
BEACH GAMES VENUE FOR OCA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
T
he 35th OCA General Assembly in 2016 will be held on the sidelines of the 5th Asian Beach Games in Danang, Vietnam, this September. The General Assembly will take place on Sunday, September 25 – the day after the opening ceremony of the 5th ABG, which runs from September 24 to October 3. With all the NOCs gathered in Danang for the Beach Games, it is practical and cost-effective to have the OCA General Assembly on the sidelines. The 34th OCA General Assembly was held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, last September and also involved 17 NOCs from Oceania ahead of their participation in the OCA’s 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in the Turkmen capital in September 2017. Page 16
Danang will host the 35th OCA General Assembly on September 25.
Winter Youth Olympic Games
KIM LIVES THE LILLEHAMMER DREAM
So, so amazing!
T
hat’s how one of the stars of the Winter Youth Olympic Games summed up his experience at Lillehammer 2016. “It was the best feeling in the world,” said 17-year-old Norwegian-Korean cross-country skier Magnus Kim after finishing the YOG with two gold and one silver medal. “It’s been a dream. I don’t have words for it…so, so amazing!” Representing his motherland Korea, and winning YOG gold medals in his father’s home country Norway, made it extra special for Kim. Asked how his family would feel about his achievements, Kim replied: ““I think they are very proud, and I am very proud myself. It has been emotional in some ways.” Kim, who was raised in the port city of Busan, could have represented Norway or Korea as he holds dual citizenship, but he opted for Korea in order to promote skiing back home – and also to compete in the 2018 Winter Olympics on home snow at PyeongChang. This was the second edition of the IOC’s Winter YOG and involved a wide range of social and cultural activities alongside the innovative sports programme, which featured mixed NOC teams, new disciplines and even an ice hockey skills challenge. During his closing press conference, IOC President Thomas Bach praised the organisers.
“The work of the Organising Committee was really outstanding,” he said. “The way the Lillehammer team planned and delivered the Games fitted perfectly with the youth spirit of these Games, and I can only praise the flawless organisation as well as the 3,200 volunteers from 80 countries."
2nd Winter YOG 2016 Host : Lillehammer, Norway Opening Ceremony: February 12 Closing Ceremony: February 21 NOCs: 71 Athletes: 1,100 Aggregate attendance: 130,000 Volunteers: 3,200 Youth leaders: 200 Torch Relay: Visited 19 counties of Norway Dream Day/Try the Sport: Attracted 20,000 students Next Winter YOG: Lausanne, Switzerland, 2020
Korea's Magnus Kim won gold medals in the men's 10km cross-country cross (free) and the 10km free, and silver in the sprint classic. Page 17
Winter Youth Olympic Games
PRIDE OF ASIA AT
Kazakhstan's Arina Pantova competes in the women's biathlon.
China's Zhu Zhenyu won gold in the mixed biathlon with Meng Fanqi.
Japanese speed skater Moe Kumagai races in the women's 500m. Page 18
Winter Youth Olympic Games
LILLEHAMMER 2016
*All Winter YOG photos courtesy of IOC.
Japan's Honoka Sasaki releases a stone during the curling competition.
China and Korea battle it out in women's short track.
Korea's Kim Min Sun shows off her gold medal from the women's 500m speed skating, flanked by China's Han Mei and Li Huawei with silver and bronze respectively. Page 19
Winter Youth Olympic Games
TEAM WORK PROVES GOLDEN FOR MONGOLIA
T
wo small pieces of sporting history were made on February 17 at the Hamar Olympic Hall Viking Ship: Speed skaters contested, for the first time at any Olympic level, a mixed NOC team sprint, and Mongolia won its debut medal at a Winter Games. In the all-new event, 13 teams of two men and two women from mixed NOCs were grouped together, with each race run over 1.6km. It was won, in 1 minute 57.85 seconds, by Team No. 6 consisting of Sumiya Buyantogtokh of Mongolia, Italy’s Noemi Bonazza, Shen Hanyang of China and Chung Jae Woong of Korea. “Before the race I was afraid. Now I can't believe I won the gold," said Mongolia’s golden girl. “I was very stressed. It was a lot of pressure, but I’m very proud. It was wonderful working with other countries and talking with them.”
Mixed Team No.6 (from left): China's Shen Hanyang, Chung Jae Woong of Korea, record-breaking Mongolian Sumiya Buyantogtokh and Noemi Bonazza of Italy. Photo: YIS / IOC Jon Buckle.
LOOKING FOR A HERO IN MALAYSIA
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alaysian sports officials are hoping that the first athlete to represent the country at an Olympic Winter Games, figure skater Chew Kai Xiang, will lead to a surge in interest in ice sports.
Chew said he was very excited to be selected for the Winter YOG, and hoped that in the future Malaysia could send bigger delegations to winter sports competitions.
Chew, 16, took a year off school to train in Osaka, Japan, ahead of the Winter YOG, where his appearance representing such a tropical country attracted a lot of media interest. Billy Johan, Malaysia’s Chef de Mission at Lillehammer and President of the Ice Skating Association of Malaysia, said: “People say you have to develop the sport, but I believe we have to develop an idol. “You develop one, and then the sport will grow. Kai Xiang will be one of them. He’s got the skills, he’s got the attitude. “We were the only Southeast Asian country to qualify for Lillehammer 2016, and in 2017 Malaysia could host the first Southeast Asian Games to include figure skating,” he said.
Chew Kai Xiang is proud to be at the Winter YOG.
SMOOTH AS ICE: Korea’s retired figure skating queen, Kim Yuna, attended Lillehammer 2016 as a YOG Ambassador. Here she learns how to make a nutritious smoothie for young athletes to enjoy as part of their diet.
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Games Update
VIETNAM TV OUTLINES PLANS FOR ABG COVERAGE
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ost broadcaster Vietnam Television (VTV) has announced its plans for the 5th Asian Beach Games at Danang from September 24 to October 3. According to the Deputy Chairman of VTV, Pham Viet Tien, the host broadcaster will show four or five sports live, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies. In addition, VTV will produce two daily highlights programmes of five minutes and 26 minutes duration, with English commentary to attract more interest from overseas. VTV outlined their broadcasting plans at the first OCA TV Audit held at Danang on January 11-12, when services and operations for the media were also discussed.
Hoang Du, Deputy Head of the Communications and Media Sub-Committee, said the Main Press Centre (MPC) would be located on the second floor of the multi-function building at 7 An Nhon – a central location on the main road running alongside the Han River. The sub-committee will also establish a Sub Media Centre (SMC) within each competition cluster to enable reporters, photographers and TV personnel to work on site without the need to return to the MPC. In other news, the organising committee has sent the technical handbooks to the NOCs outlining the details of the 14 sports, 22 disciplines and 172 events.
14 sports, 172 events 1. Aquatic Sports: Marathon Swimming (4)
7. Beach Sepaktakraw (6)
Muay (16)
8. Beach Martial Arts:
Traditional Martial Art (11)
Wrestling (8)
9. Beach Shuttlecock (7)
2. Beach Kabaddi (2)
Sambo (8)
10. Beach Petanque (9)
3. Beach Soccer (1)
Ju-Jitsu (18)
11. Beach Bodybuilding (7)
4. Beach Volleyball (2)
Kurash (10)
12. Beach Wood ball (11)
5. Beach Handball (2)
Pencak Silat (18)
13. Coastal Rowing (6)
6. Basketball 3x3 (2)
Vovinam (9)
14. Beach Athletics (14)
Beach Water Polo (1)
YAKUTSK 2016 TO COMBINE SPORT, EDUCATION
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he 6th Children of Asia International Sports Games-Yakutsk 2016, supported by the Olympic Council of Asia, will be a learning experience for all concerned.
The Games will run from July 5-17 and many Asian NOCs are expected to take part.
Not only will the athletes from the visiting NOCs experience international sport and friendship in a scenic region of the Russian Federation, the local children will also be able to learn about the history and culture of the countries taking part. To this end, volunteer leaders have been visiting schools to promote the 20-year history of the Games, highlight the volunteer spirit, describe the sports on the programme and study the countries taking part. “I think that such lessons definitely need to be carried out in schools,” said the Deputy Head of Keptin School, Alena Nikolaevna. “Volunteers of the Games can not only talk about these largescale events and volunteering to our students, but also they promote a healthy lifestyle.”
The volunteer spirit at Keptin School. Page 21
Games Update
NAGANO WINTER OLYMPICS HERO SHIMIZU BECOMES SAPPORO 2017 AMBASSADOR
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ne of Japan’s most famous winter sports athletes, Hiroyasu Shimizu, has joined the Sapporo 2017 Asian Winter Games team as a PR Ambassador. Shimizu, who won speed skating gold in the men’s 500m at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, and TV sports presenter Mai Asada were introduced as PR Ambassadors by Katsuhiro Akimoto, President of organising committee SAWGOC and Mayor of Sapporo, at a special function on February 12. Shimizu said: “I participated as an athlete in the 5th Asian Winter
Games in Aomori in 2003, so it is a great honour to participate in the 2017 Sapporo Asian Winter Games as a PR Ambassador. “Since Obihiro, my hometown, will host the speed skating events, I am very much looking forward to the Games. I would like to make the Games not only for the athletes but for everyone. That will help to raise the motivation of the athletes.” Asada, from Nagoya, is a former world-class junior figure skater and now works in the media, although she still performs at ice shows. In other news from Sapporo: The Doshin Forum “One Year to Go until the 2017 Sapporo Asian Winter Games” was held on February 12 and attended by 500 winter sports fans and VIP guests. The Games will run from February 19-26, 2017. The Hokkaido Shimbun will be the Official Newspaper for the 8th AWG. Dreams Come True, a Japanese pop duo, are performing the official theme song, “Winter Song – Dancing Snowflakes Version”. Listen here: http://sapporo2017.org/en/theme-song-en The OCA Chef de Mission Seminar for Sapporo 2017 will be held on April 25-26.
In three languages – English, Russian and Turkmen – the website provides details on the 21 sports in the programme, the development of the 5 billion USD Olympic Complex, the history and culture of the country and information on the 62 NOCs taking part – 45 from OCA plus 17 from Oceania. There is also an extensive guide to the torch relay, which will cover 4,573km and will start six months before the 5th AIMAG. The website home page features the President of Turkmenistan, HE Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, receiving the ANOC Merit Award from ANOC and OCA President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah at Page 22
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TURKMENISTAN
shgabat 2017
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the OCA General Assembly last September.
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he build-up to the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, from September 15-24, 2017 can be followed closely thanks to the excellent official website launched by the organising committee.
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AIMAG 2017 LAUNCHES TRILINGUAL WEBSITE
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The Mayor of Sapporo introduces the two PR Ambassadors.
See the website here: http://www.ashgabat2017.gov.tm/en/
Games Update
OCA CC Chairman Tsunekazu Takeda shakes hands with Indonesia NOC President Erick Thohir.
FULL STEAM AHEAD FOR 18TH ASIAN GAMES
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he OCA was waiting for it. The organising committee was waiting for it. The national government and the local governments of Jakarta and Palembang were waiting for it.
Members of the OCA Coordination Committee, led by Chairman Tsunekazu Takeda, were assured of the following deadlines at the 3rd OCA CC meeting in Jakarta on January 30-31:
And, on February 12, 2016, HE Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia, issued the presidential instructions to enable the preparations for the 18th Asian Games to move at full steam ahead.
Construction of the Athletes’ Village at Kemayoran, Jakarta, will be completed by November 2017. With three blocks and 16 towers, it will be able to accommodate almost 23,000 people.
All parties are well aware of the tight deadlines, with some 10,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions due to converge on co-host cities Jakarta and Palembang in two and a half years’ time, but finally the planning on paper can be replaced by action on the ground.
The expansion of the Jakabaring Sports City Athletes’ Village at Palembang from three towers in 2015 to five towers will be completed by October 2016. The development of the Jakarta International Equestrian Park should be finished by August 2017. Renovation of the outdoor Rawamangun Velodrome to the indoor Jakarta International Veldrome to be completed by February 2018. The revised mascot following public outcry against the original design is expected to be unveiled this April. The 3rd Asian Youth Games to be held in Jakarta in November 2017 as a test event, featuring around eight sports. The Torch Relay will cover 10,000km in 60 days, visiting 68 cities in all 34 provinces, on seven major isalnds: Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku, Bali & Nusa Tenggara and Papua.
Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium.
The opening ceremony on August 18 and closing ceremony on September 2 will both be held at the 80,000capacity Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium – venue for the 4th Asian Games in 1962. Page 23
News and Sport from 45 NOCs
Afghanistan The President’s Special Envoy on Reforms and Good Governance, Ahmad Zia Massoud, encouraged and praised Afghanistan’s medal winners at a special ceremony, saying they had raised the profile of the country in the region and the world, reports Bakhtar News Agency from Kabul.
Bangladesh It’s selfie time for the Bangladesh women’s handball team after winning the silver medals at the 12th South Asian Games in India.
“Sport is an essential need of the youth, particularly students and university students as well as the Afghan security forces,” he said.
“To grow sport further, the National Olympic Committee and sports department should step up in this regard and change sport so that it becomes a part of our national culture.”
Bangladesh finished fifth in the final medals table with four gold, 15 silver and 56 bronze medals for a total of 75.
The head of the NOC, Mohammad Zahir Aghbar, and a number of trainers and athletes attended the ceremony. Bhutan Bahrain Bahrain Olympic Committee board member Shaikh Abdulla bin Rashid Al Khalifa opened the National Sports Medicine Centre’s first specialised sports medicine and injuries clinic at Khalifa Sports City in Isa Town.
A three-day seminar on women in sport was held at the Namgay Heritage Hotel in Thimphu. The seminar was one of the first initiatives taken by the Bhutan Olympic Committee’s Gender and Sports Committee after its establishment in 2014. With support from the BOC and Olympic Solidarity, the “Impulse” seminar was conducted by Ms. Gabriela Mueller, a professional communications coach, trainer and speaker, from Switzerland.
Supervised by Dr Francisco Chapman of Cuba, the clinic is part of the BOC’s massive project aimed at developing the National Sports Medicine Centre facilities and services. Shaikh Abdulla praised the BOC for enhancing the services provided at the centre in an attempt to offer the best treatment possible to the athletes, as well as performance analysis and rehabilitation from injury.
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The seminar was aimed at empowering and supporting women in sport at all levels and helping to promote and implement gender equality. The 41 participants consisted of athletes, coaches, teachers and sports administrators.
News and Sport from 45 NOCs
Brunei Darussalam The national petanque team hopes to be competing at this year’s 5th Asian Beach Games in Danang, Vietnam, in September, reports The Brunei Times.
The sultanate was represented by Mohd Abdillah Tamin (pictured), Masli Hj Mohd Said, Hj Mat Rasil Hj Ahmad and Hj Karim Hj Ahmad at the 4th ABG in Phuket, Thailand in 2014, but failed to win a medal. Brunei Darussalam Petanque Federation honorary secretary Rosmin Hj Mohd Hassan said they were preparing a list of names to be presented to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports national selection and evaluation committee in the hope of playing in the 5th ABG.
Cambodia Cambodia's first ever Asian Games gold medalist, taekwondo star Sorn Seavmey (pictured), was the overwhelming winner of the Most Popular Athlete of the Year at the Cambodia Sports Awards for 2015, sponsored by Naga World.
China Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong speaks to members of the national gymnastics team during her visit to the national sports training centre in Beijing. Liu extended Spring Festival greetings to the athletes and coaches in national training camps and encouraged them to prepare well for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The vice premier pointed out that there would be new challenges in Rio this summer and that the Chinese athletes must be fully prepared, try their best and carry forward the Olympic spirit in Brazil.
DPR Korea The February 25 Prize Bowling Contest took place at the Pyongyang Gold Lane on February 23-24, reports the Korean Central News Agency in Pyongyang. February 25 marks the day when President Kim Il Sung visited the newly-built Pyongyang Gold Lane. The contest brought together workers, youth and students with one thing in common – a love for bowling – and was divided into men's and women's singles, doubles and groups (three men and one woman).
Hong Kong, China Jointly organised by the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China and the Hong Kong Sports Institute Limited, the opening ceremony of the three-day Olympism Camp was held on February 17 at the Tai Tam Scout Centre, Tai Tam Road.
One of the country's most successful boxers, Sen Rady, was declared Male Athlete of the Year and petanque ace Ke Leng was named Female Athlete of the Year. (www.noccambodia.org)
The residential camp, which has benefitted over 120 elite athletes since 2013, attracted 24 young athletes from eight elite sports. Subjects included the structure of sport in Hong Kong, anti-doping, media relations and Olympic values. (www.hkolympic.org)
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News and Sport from 45 NOCs
India
N.O.C.I.R.IRAN
Iran
India's first Winter Olympian, Shiva Keshavan, has urged the authorities to come forward and help the athletes who are left to battle all odds in their quest to bring laurels to the country, reports The Times of India.
United World Wrestling reports that the Iran Wrestling Federation has taken another step forward in developing women’s wrestling by paying annual salaries for female coaches in traditional wrestling.
The 34-year-old Olympian in luge expressed his views in a panel discussion under the banner “International Convention on Business of Sports”, organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi.
In addition, during the recent Takhti Cup, the federation honoured six female coaches for their work and dedication to developing wrestling in Iran. They were Mobtadi, Esmaeili and Maryam Valizadeh (belt wrestling) and Sadat Ghadamgahi, Homeria Rajabzadeh and Sakineh Kazemi (grappling).
He said he had competed in five Winter Olympics without a coach due to a lack of funding.
NOC President Kiomars Hashemi attended the ceremony alongside the vice president of women’s wrestling, Maryam Monazami.
Indonesia Iraq Many countries have offered assistance to Indonesia in preparing for the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, Antara News reports. A spokesman for the Youth and Sports Ministry, Gatot S Dewa Broto, said that Britain had told Indonesia they were ready to help, either as a consultant or contractor.
Britain’s seriousness to help Indonesia was expressed in a gathering at the British Embassy attended by representatives of the Youth and Sports Ministry, Public Works Ministry, Jakarta and South Sumatra provincial governments and related parties with regard to the Asian Games. "We are open. Everything must go through a tender," Dewa Broto added.
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Iraq winger Humam Tareq (pictured) described the men’s football team’s qualification for Rio 2016 as “a big moment for our country” following their 2-1 victory over host Qatar in the AFC U23 Championship third-place play-off in Doha.
Tareq credited the resilience his team displayed in coming back from 1-0 down and hailed the triumph as an important moment for the people of Iraq. “Qatar had the home advantage but we never gave up,” he said. “When we won I couldn’t control my emotions. I dedicate our win to my family, friends and all who have been supporting the national team.” (www.the-afc.com)
News and Sport from 45 NOCs
Japan The Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee has welcomed TOTO Ltd as a Tokyo 2020 Official Partner, the second domestic tier of the Tokyo 2020 Sponsorship Programme.
TOTO has been attributed the category "Bathroom and Kitchen Fixtures." Its addition brings the total number of Tokyo 2020 Partners to 27, including 12 Official Partners. (www.tokyo2020.jp)
Kazakhstan The NOC announced the winners of the annual sports awards at a special ceremony held in Almaty. Incheon Asian Games champion Eldos Smetov (pictured) was acclaimed Athlete of the Year after his remarkable performance at the 2015 World Judo Championships in Astana where he gained the gold medal at 60kg.
Yuriy Yurkov won the Desire to Win award for beating world No. 2 Zhu Qinan (China) in the gold medal match of the ISSF Rifle and Pistol World Cup in Fort Benning, USA, from a world ranking of 50 at the time. (www.olympic.kz)
Jordan Korea Nash, the children’s ambassador for the Jordan Olympic Committee, proved a huge hit during his latest visit to a local school to promote the values of sport. The cuddly character was introduced by the JOC last year and his story has already reached thousands of kids across the Kingdom who are following his example of embracing sport and healthy living into their daily lives.
Nash’s latest Kids Day was held at Mashrek International School, close to Amman, where up to 200 youngsters got to meet their idol and join him for team activities to learn about the power of sport through fun and inclusive games. Nash’s programme of visits to school will continue through the year. (www.joc.jo)
Rhythmic gymnast Son Yeon-jae, 21, won the country’s top sports award for 2015 – the grand prize at the 62nd annual Korean Olympic Committee Awards. This was Son's first such award, reports Yonhap News Agency from Seoul. Son, the 2014 Incheon Asian Games gold medalist, last year was a triple gold medal winner at the Gwangju Summer Universiade along with two silvers.
The 2012 London Olympian also won three gold medals, a silver and a bronze at the 7th Asian Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Jecheon, North Chungcheong Province, in June. Photo: Yonhap News.
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News and Sport from 45 NOCs
Kuwait Kuwait's Disabled Sport Club team won a host of medals at the 6th Sharjah International Open Athletics Meet on March 14-15 at the Althiqah Club in Sharjah, UAE, reports the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA). Around 330 athletes from 31 countries took part.
Lebanon Sports and Youth Minister Abdul Muttalib Hennawi has met with Turkey’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Cagatay Erciyes, to discuss several means of cooperation, reports the National News Agency of the Lebanese Republic’s Ministry of Information.
Kuwait’s medal haul included gold medals for Ahmad Niqa in the 100m wheelchair race and Abdulla Al-Seif in the discus.
Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan will host the Asian Wrestling Championship in 2018, a senior wrestling official, Asylbek uulu Damirbek, announced at a press conference in Bishkek on February 24, reports the Kabar National News Agency. The Asian Wrestling Federation awarded the 2018 event to Kyrgyzstan despite strong competition from Chinese Taipei, Iran and Kazakhstan, he said. “I think by 2018, together with the Government and the National Olympic Committee, we will build a sports arena to conduct international competitions," he said. Kyrgyzstan previously hosted the Asian wrestling championships in 2007.
In the wake of the meeting, the Turkish diplomat said that talks with Hennawi had touched on the prevailing situation at the local and regional scenes, and he stressed the importance of boosting the special existing ties between Lebanon and Turkey. "Sports cooperation with the Ministry of Sports and Youth is among our goals and proposed projects," the Turkish diplomat said, disclosing plans to build sports fields for the youth in Lebanon.
Laos The men’s national team won one of the 10 events at the 2nd Asian Chinlone Championship held in Myanmar, reports the Myanmar Times.
Macau The Macau Government rewarded its athletes for their medal-winning performances in 2015 at a prize presentation and gala dinner at the Fisherman’s Wharf banquet hall on January 7.
Khenkittisack, the manager of the Lao team, said his players saw chinlone for the first time at the 27th South East Asian (SEA) Games in 2013. Before that they had played only sepak takraw. They plan to continue competing in chinlone tournaments, building on their success in Mandalay. The next Asia Chinlone Championship will be in Indonesia in 2018. The Lao women's team is pictured in action.
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The government handed out 6.5 million MOP (around 800,000 USD) to 281 athletes and 83 coaches for their performances in world, continental and regional championships, with the amount for each medal depending on the level of competition. Macau NOC President Charles Lo, who is Chairman of the OCA Media Committee and a member of the OCA Executive Board, presented a cheque to Hoi Long, who excelled in hearing-impaired athletics and swimming events.
News and Sport from 45 NOCs
Malaysia Malaysian diver Cheong Jun Hoong will join Wendy Ng at the Rio Olympics after she finished eighth in the preliminary round of the women's 3m springboard individual in the World Cup in Rio, reports the New Straits Times.
Mongolia The NOC, in close cooperation with the National Authority for Border Protection, launched its “Sacred flame - Sacred border” torch relay along the border of the country and the historic county of Dadal, birthplace of Genghis Khan, in Khentii province. The relay has covered 7,762km through the territory of 64 counties of 12 provinces, escorted by border service soldiers and officers.
Cheong posted 320.15 to make the semi-finals. The top 18 after the preliminary round get automatic Olympic slots. Teammate Wendy earned her Olympic ticket at last year's World Championships in Kazan, Russia. (Photo: NST/Reuters)
Maldives Seven sports officials from Maldives have been selected to the OCA standing committees for the term 2015-2019. The President of Maldives Olympic Committee, Mohamed Shaweed, has joined the Advisory Committee and the Vice President, Mohamed Abdul Sattar, is on the Sport for All Committee.
Ts. Damdin, an NOC Vice President and judo silver medallist at the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow, is pictured with J. Jamsranjav, Chief of the local border office, along with some athletes, who took part in outdoor sporting activities despite temperatures of -42 Celsius.
Myanmar Myanmar's men’s and women’s teams each won a title at the 2nd Asian Chinlone Championship, comprised of 10 events in four separate competitions, reports the Myanmar Times.
MOC’s Secretary General, Ahmed Marzooq, will continue on the Media Committee, and the Treasurer, Hussain Rasheed, is on the Sports and Environment Committee. Ahmed Latheef, a member of MOC’s Executive Committee, is on the Culture Committee. Mrs Umana Noordeen, who has assisted MOC in several games with the medical team, was selected as a member of the Anti-Doping Commission. Mohamed Hanim, an active sports official, is on the Sports Committee. (www.nocmaldives.org)
Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, India, Iran, Cambodia, Myanmar, Korea, Thailand, Laos and Japan competed in the men’s competition. Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia competed in the women’s competition. The competitions in Myanmar’s national sport were held in the stadium near Waiyawsana Jade Pagoda in Amarapura township, Mandalay Region. The Ministry of Sports and Mandalay Region government hosted the activities from February 16 to 19.
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News and Sport from 45 NOCs
Nepal
Pakistan
Nepal Olympic Committee President Jeevan Ram Shrestha received the prestigious flag of the South Asian Olympic Council during the closing ceremony of the 12th South Asian Games in Guwahati, India on February 16 as Nepal will be hosting the next edition in Kathmandu in 2018.
The Pakistan Judo Federation has sought Uzbekistan’s help to train three judokas at the International Judo Training Centre in Tashkent ahead of the Asian Championships/Olympic qualifiers in Uzbekistan from April 14-17, reports Dawn media.
“I feel honoured today holding the prestigious flag of the South Asian Olympic Council to host its 13th series in Nepal in the year 2018. It will be the third time after we successfully conducted the first edition in 1984 and the eighth edition in 1999 in Kathmandu,” said NOC President Shrestha.
PJF secretary Masood Ahmed said Pakistan was relying heavily on -100kg category judoka Shah Hussain, who recently won gold at the 12th South Asian Games in India, to get a berth at the Olympics. Shah Hussain Shah is pictured (right). (Photo: Dawn/INP)
Oman Palestine The Tour of Oman 2016 recorded a remarkable increase in the number of social media impressions across internet channels, reaching 19.8 million impressions across the world, reports the Times of Oman.
More than 32 media staff broadcast the Tour of Oman news and updates to 189 channels, showcasing the natural charm of the Sultanate and its geological diversity. The race's great media success was reflected in the large number of observers from the Omani and foreign media.
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Palestine made headlines in the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola world rankings published on February 4.
The three most impressive teams for February’s ranking all come from Asia. Palestine (110, plus 21), Saudi Arabia (55, plus 20) and Korea DPR (95, plus 18) enjoyed the biggest advances since the last world ranking. (www.fifa.com) Photo: www.the-afc.com
News and Sport from 45 NOCs
Philippines Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz has qualified for her third Olympic Games in Rio 2016 by placing third in the IWF World Championships held in Houston, Texas from November 20-28, 2015.
Singapore The President of the Singapore National Olympic Council, Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, has praised the key role of table tennis in shaping the Olympic movement in Singapore.
She garnered three bronze medals in the Snatch (96kg), Clean & Jerk (117 kg) and Total (213kg) in the 53 kg women’s weight class participated in by 39 athletes. (www.olympic.ph)
Qatar The Qatar Olympic Committee’s Secretary General, HE Dr Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, has described the Qatar Total Open as one of the first and most prestigious tennis tournaments in the Middle East thanks to the unprecedented participation of the world’s top players.
Speaking as guest of honour at the Keppel-STTA annual awards night on February 19, Mr Tan said Singapore’s table tennis players had been bringing home medals from the SEA Games and Asian Games since the 1960s, and had also excelled at the Commonwealth Games, Olympic Games and World Championships. (www.singaporeolympics.com)
Sri Lanka The NOC has congratulated the Sri Lankan team for their second-place finish at the 12th South Asian Games in India, saying they had brought honour and pride to the country by winning 25 gold medals, 63 silver and 98 bronze for a total of 186. Rumeshika Rathnayake is pictured after winning the women’s 100 metres.
Dr Al Kuwari said that the QOC spared no effort in supporting all sports federations that organised global tournaments, including the Qatar Tennis Federation under the chairmanship of Nasser Ghanim Al Khulaifi. (www.olympic.qa)
Saudi Arabia Prince Abdullah bin Musaed bin Abdulaziz, General President of Youth Welfare, received in Riyadh the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Hungary, Dr. Laszlo Sabo, who was visiting the Kingdom to attend the meetings of Joint Saudi-Hungarian Committee, the Saudi Press Agency reports. During the meeting, which took place on February 23, they discussed aspects of cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Republic of Hungary to enhance the relationship between the two friendly countries and ways of activating the youth and sports fields through agreements signed between the General Presidency for Youth Welfare and the Hungarian Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Sri Lanka sent 700 athletes and officials in 23 sports, led by Brig. Dampath Fernando as Chef de Mission. High Jumper W. P. Manjula was the team captain and weightlifter K. Anton Sudesh Peiris was the vice captain. (www.srilankaolympic.org)
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News and Sport from 45 NOCs
Syria A member of the Syrian national team for special sports, Noura Baddour, ranked second and won the silver medal at the 2016 IPC Powerlifting World Cup held in Malaysia, reports the Syrian Arab News Agency from Kuala Lumpur.
Thailand The International Ski Federation has settled a defamation claim by pop violinist Vanessa-Mae, whom it wrongly alleged had qualified for the Sochi Winter Olympics in fixed giant slalom races to compete for her father’s native Thailand.
FIS said it had apologised and made an "appropriate payment" to Vanessa-Mae, who intends to give the money to charity. Vanessa-Mae won an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport last June, overturning her four-year ban. CAS said qualifying races arranged at short notice in January 2014 were allowed by weak FIS rules. (Photo: AFP/Bangkok Post) Baddour was able to lift 88kg and qualified for the Rio de Janeiro Paralympics to be held in Brazil next September. Timor-Leste Chinese Taipei The East Asian Games Association flag handover ceremony took place on Wednesday, January 27 before the 33rd EAGA council meeting at the Taichung Lin Hotel in Taichung City.
The President of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Joko Widodo, made his first official visit to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste on January 26. The visiting delegation included Indonesia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, reports the Government of Timor-Leste. The discussions between President Widodo and Prime Minister Dr. Rui Maria de Araújo covered several areas of bilateral cooperation, including Youth and Sports. The two parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding to conclude the visit. Turkmenistan
The flag handover ceremony completed the official protocol ahead of the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee’s hosting of the inaugural East Asian Youth Games in August 2019 by Taichung City. The youth games will replace the East Asian Games, last held in Tianjin, China, in 2014.
A sports delegation from Turkmenistan visited Kazan, Russian Federation, to share experience in holding large-scale international sports events and to build up close relations ahead of the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games to be held in Ashgabat in September 2017.
Tajikistan The Prime Minister, Qohir Rasoulzoda, attended the official reopening of the refurbished Safedorak tourism and skiing resort in the Varzob district on January 7, reports the Asia-Plus media group of Tajikistan. The Tajikistan NOC notes that the Children’s Winter Sports School, which is located in the territory of the Safedorak skiing resort, has been renovated with the financial support of Shamsullo Sohibov, Tajikistan’s Trade Representative in the United Kingdom who was recently elected to head the Winter Sports Association of Tajikistan.
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The representatives of Turkmenistan visited large sports facilities in Kazan, the International Information Centre and Athletes Village. They also had meetings with the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sport of the Republic of Tatarstan, Vladimir Leonov, and with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan, Ildar Khalikov, at Tatarstan Government House on January 20. (http://www.ashgabat2017.gov.tm)
News and Sport from 45 NOCs
United Arab Emirates
Vietnam
The general preparation course for Olympic team managers and coaches, organised by the National Olympic Academy at the Leadership Qualification Center, concluded on February 25 with two lectures.
The Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports announced 10 outstanding cultural and sports events in 2015, selected in consultation with 100 media agencies in the city, reports the Hanoi Times.
The first lecture was delivered by Advisor Mohammed Al Kamali, Secretary General of the UAE National Olympic Committee, where he reviewed the Olympic Charter. Brigadier "R" Abdul Malik Jani, Head of the Academy, delivered a lecture on social preparation aspects.
The list of 10 included the performance of Hanoi athletes in the Vietnam delegation at the 28th SEA Games in Singapore - winning 68 medals out of Vietnam’s total of 186 and 25 out of 73 gold medals (34.25 per cent) - and the Olympic Day Run that attracted 300,000 participants.
(www.uaenoc.ae) Yemen Uzbekistan
Yemen struggled in a tough Group C at the AFC U23 Championship in Qatar, losing 2-0 to Iraq, 5-0 to South Korea and 3-1 to Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan’s reigning AIBA Junior World Boxing Champion, Timur Merzhanov, continued his winning ways at the Akim Prizes Junior Tournament in Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan, from February 7-13, picking up the 70kg title.
Iraq finished third in the 16-team tournament, which doubled as Asia’s qualifier for Rio 2016, and Korea reached the final before losing to Japan. Merzhanov’s teammate, Samandar Holmuradov, claimed the gold medal at pinweight (46kg) after beating Mogamed Shamsayev of Russia in the final.
Japan, Korea and Iraq booked the three tickets for Asia at the Olympic Games this August.
(www.aiba.org)
Photo: Asian Football Confederation.
Page 33
OCA Standing Committees for 2015-2019
A
dvisory Committee Chairman: Mr. Ng Ser Miang
Singapore
HRH Prince Tunku Imran Mr. C.K. Wu Mr. Syed Shahid Ali Mr. N. Ramachandran Mr. Mohamed Shaweed
Malaysia Chinese Taipei Pakistan India Maldives
A
thletes Committee Chairman: Mr. Koji Murofushi
Japan
Mr. Tsend Damdin Mr. Mansour Sultan Al-Tauqi Mr. Vath Chamroeun Ms. Luai Al Sabri Mr. Chi Hsuing Huang Mr. Ronnie M.C. Wong Ms. Nadin Dawani Mr. Feras Mouala Mr. Rasoul Khadem Azghadi
Mongolia Oman Cambodia Yemen Chinese Taipei Hong Kong Jordan Syria Iran
C
oordination Committee Chairman: Mr. Tsunekazu Takeda
Japan
C
ulture Committee Chairman: Mr. Mohammad Al Kamali UAE Mr. Eric K.S. Fok Mr. Sonam Karma Tshering Mr. Wei Daishun Mr. Kamran Lashari Mr. Ji Young Kim Dr. Fazlollah Bagherzadeh Ms. Samira Asghari Mr. Rajeev Mehta Mr. Ahmad Latif Mr. Deva Henry
Hong Kong Bhutan China Pakistan Korea Iran Afghanistan India Maldives Sri Lanka
E
ducation Committee Chairman: HRH Prince Abdulhakim Bin Abdulaziz Saudi Arabia Ms. Sun Baoli Mr. Pang Chung Ms. Yekaterina Kulakovskaya Ms. Narin Haj Tass
China Hong Kong Kazakhstan Jordan
Mrs. Veena Salman Masud Mr. Ko Chol Ho Mr. Kil Doo Kim Mr. Salamat Ergeshov Mr. Maxwell De Silva
Pakistan DPR Korea Korea Kyrgyzstan Sri Lanka
Page 34
E
ntourage Committee Chairman: Mr. Dae Sung Moon
E
thics Committee Chairman: Mr. Wei Jizhong
F
Korea
China
inance Committee Chairman: Kevin, Kuo-I Chen
Chinese Taipei
Mr. Southanom Inthavong Mr. Aslan Amanov Mr. Thana Chaiprasit Mr. Rajabaliev Bahrullo Mr. Muhammad Khalid Mahmood Mr. Soo Won Lee Mr. Ali Yousef Mr. Azat Muradov Mr. Abdulla Al-Ahjri Mr. Sadyr Mamytov
Lao Kazakhstan Thailand Tajikistan Pakistan Korea Kuwait Turkmenistan Yemen Kyrgyzstan
I
nformation and Statistics Committee Chairman: Dr. Demchigjav Zagdsuren Mongolia Ms. Frances Yuh-Fang Wang Lee Mr. Haithem Abdohameed Ms. Rana Al Saeed Mr. Mohammad Fawzi Khawaja Mr. Ibrahim Abazid Mr. Kang Ryong Gil Mr. Sung Chul Kim Mr. Majed Ahmed Basonbul Dr. Alireza Dalbir Mr. Turdiev F
Chinese Taipei Iraq Jordan Pakistan Syria DPR Korea Korea Saudi Arabia Iran Uzbekistan
I
nternational Relations Committee Chairman: HRH Prince Jigyel Wangchuck
Bhutan
Mr. Syed Shahid Reza H.E. Mr. Rustomi Emomali Mr. Kenneth K.K. Fok Mr. Yasuo Saito Mr. Heejong Moon Mr. Khusankhodjaev B HRH Prince Khalid Bin Abdul Aziz Mr. Osama AlShafar Mr. Sharshenbek Abdykerimov Ms. Sunaina Kumari
Bangladesh Tajikistan Hong Kong Japan Korea Uzbekistan Saudi Arabia UAE Kyrgyzstan India
M
edia Committee Chairman: Mr. Lo Keng Chio, Charles Macau Mr. Khamisa Mohammed Al Balushi Mr. Hong Dow Lin
Oman Chinse Taipei
OCA Standing Committees for 2015-2019 Mr. Jugder Otgontsagaan Mr. Abdulla Alghamdi Mr. Tony Mariadass Mr. Majid Wassem Mr. Hiroshi Takeuchi Mr. Eun Key Yoon Mr. Mahmoud Abdollahi Mr. Ahmed Marzooq
M
Mongolia Saudi Arabia Malaysia Pakistan Japan Korea Iran Maldives
edical Committee Chairman: Dr. M. Jegathesan
Malaysia
Dr. Alongkone Phengsavanh Dr. Varin Tansuphasiri Dr. Xie Minhao Mr. Huan Cheng Chang Dr. Sultan Yarub Al Busaidi Dr. Takao Akama Dr. Gagandeep Singh Mr. Young Soo Jin Dr. Mohammad Razi Dr. Mohammed Saleh Konbaz Dr. Mohd. Al-Musleh
Lao Thailand China Chinese Taipei Oman Japan India Korea Iran Saudi Arabia Qatar
Anti-Doping Commission Dr. Kamal Al Hadidi Ms. Venera Abdulla Mrs. Yuan Hong Mrs Umana Noordeen Dr. Makato Ueki Mrs. Tuan Guak Iris
Jordan Kazakhstan China Maldives Japan Malaysia
R
ules Committee Sheikh Talal Fahad Al-Sabah
Kuwait
Mr. Zhang Jilong Prof. Charoen Wattanasin Mr. Hesham Hyder Mr. Fumio Ogura Mr. Steven Hontiveros Mr. Raehyouk Kang Mr. Jasair Hassan Rhaeef Mr. Majid Khalid Khuthalia Mr. Andrey Kruykov Mr. Kasimov Oybek
China Thailand Lebanon Japan Philippines Korea Iraq Saudi Arabia Kazakhstan Uzbekistan
S
ports and Environment Committee Chairman: Mr. Kyung Sung Yu
Korea
Mr. Abdulloev Muhamadsho Mr. Baker Al Abadi Mr. Raja Wasim Ahmed Mr. R A K Jeewantha Mr. Khin Maung Lwin Mr. Tiras Odisho Bano Mr. Mahmoud Mashhoun
Tajikistan Jordan Pakistan Sri Lanka Myanmar Iraq Iran
Mr. Hussain Rasheed Mr. Jeevan Ram Shrestha Mr. Yasuhiro Nakamori
S
Maldives Nepal Japan
ports Committee Chairman: Mr. Song Luzeng
China
Mr. Kasem Inthara Mr. Pipat Paniangvait Ms. Low Beng Choo Mr. Taha Sulaiman Al Kishry Mr. Shaukat Javed Mr. Chris Chan Mr. Toshiaki Murasato Mr. Jai Wang Yang Mr. Carson Ma Chi Seng Mr. Mohammad Hamin
Lao Thailand Malaysia Oman Pakistan Singapore Japan Korea Macau Maldives
S
ports for All Committee Chairman: Genl. Mowaffak Jouma
Syria
Mr. Mohamed Abdul Sattar Mrs. Song Xueying Dr. Waleed Rahahlehn Mr. Syed Aqil Shah Mr. O Chol Min Mr. Won Hong Joo Mr. Gholamali Mohammadalipour Mr. Kanat Amankulov Mr. Alex Vong Iao Lek Dato Sieh Kok Chi
Maldives China Jordan Pakistan DPR Korea Korea Iran Kyrgyzstan Macau Malaysia
W
omen and Sports Committee Chairperson: Mrs. Natalya Sipovich
Kazakhstan
Ms. Jacquelin Yi-Ting Shen Ms. Suada Salim Al Ismaili Prof. Supitr Samahito Ms. Vivien C.C. Lau Mrs. Lana Al Jaghbeer Mrs. Fatima Lakhani Ms. Luibna Mouala Ms. Jyoti Rana Ms. Sohee Kim Mrs. Robab Shahrian
Chinese Taipei Oman Thailand Hong Kong Jordan Pakistan Syria Nepal Korea Iran
P
eace Through Sports Committee Chairman: HRH Prince Faisal Al Hussein Jordan Mr. Umesh Lal Shrestha Mr. Bahram Afsharzadeh Mr. Gamini Jayasinghe Mr. Chaudhary Mohammd Yaqub Mr. Ezzat Kraytem Ms. Naseem Al Mulaiki
Nepal Iran Sri Lanka Pakistan Lebanon Yemen Page 35
OCA Sports Diary
2016 PyeongChang, Korea: March 14 – 18 6th IOC Coordination Commission for 2018 Winter Olympics
Lausanne, Switzerland: June 1 IOC Executive Board Beijing, China: June 27 1st IOC Coordination Commission for 2022 Winter Olympics
Qian’an, China: March 23 – April 3 AIBA Open Boxing (AOB) Asia/Oceania Rio Olympic Qualifying Tournament
Yakutsk, Russian Federation: July 5 – 17 6th Children of Asia International Sport Games
Lausanne, Switzerland: April 3 ANOC International Relations Commission
Lausanne, Switzerland: April 17 – 22 Sport Accord Convention 2016
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: August 2 – 3 129th IOC Session
Sapporo, Japan: April 25 – 26 Chef de Mission Seminar for 8th OCA Asian Winter Games 2017
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: August 5 – 21 Olympic Games Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: September 7 – 18 Paralympic Games
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan: May 3 – 4 OCA Coordination Committee meeting for 5th OCA Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games
September 24 OCA Executive Board, Danang, Vietnam
Jakarta, Indonesia: May 10 – 11 4th OCA Coordination Committee meeting for 18th OCA Asian Games Jakarta-Palembang 2018
Danang, Vietnam: September 24 – October 3 5th OCA Asian Beach Games
Tokyo, Japan: May 14 – 22 FIVB Asia/World Olympic Qualifying Tournament in women’s volleyball
Danang, Vietnam: September 25 35th OCA General Assembly 2017
Bangkok, Thailand: May 16 – 17 Olympic Solidarity/OCA Regional Forum for South, South East and East Asia NOCs
Sapporo, Japan: February 19-26 8th OCA Asian Winter Games
Astana, Kazakhstan: May 19 – 27 9th AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships (12 quota places for Rio 2016)
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: August 19 – 31 29th SEA Games am
es
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Doha, Qatar: May 20 – 21 Olympic Solidarity/OCA Regional Forum for West and Central Asia NOCs
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shgabat 2017
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A
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shgabat 2017
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: July 30 IOC Executive Board
A
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l oo r & M a rti I nd a
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TURKMENISTAN
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: April 11 IOC Coordination Commission
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Manila, Philippines: July 5 – 10 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in men’s basketball, Mall of Asia
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Lausanne, Switzerland, April 4 ANOC Executive Council
PyeongChang, Korea: May 23 7th IOC Project Review
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan: September 15 – 24 5th OCA Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games San Diego, USA: September 29 – October 9 1st ANOC World Beach Games Jakarta, Indonesia: November (dates to be decided) 3rd OCA Asian Youth Games
Tokyo, Japan: May 28-June 5 FIVB Asia/World Olympic Qualifying Tournament in men’s volleyball
2018 Jakarta-Palembang, Indonesia: August 18 – September 2 18th OCA Asian Games
www.ocasia.org
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