New Delhi : China’s Hangzhou city is gearing up to host what has been touted as the “greatest ever” Asian Games next month, despite ongoing internal issues within the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). Acting OCA head Randhir Singh affirmed that the continental event will proceed as planned, unaffected by the recent turmoil surrounding its election process.
The OCA has been facing challenges after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) declined to recognise its election results from last month. As a result, Randhir Singh was asked to continue serving as acting president. The IOC’s decision came after Kuwait’s Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah was banned for three years due to his significant influence in the OCA election, in which his brother, Sheikh Talal Fahad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, assumed the presidency of the continental body.
Randhir Singh, a former Olympic skeet shooter, was originally appointed as the acting president of the OCA in 2021 following Sheikh Ahmad’s resignation due to a conviction in a Swiss criminal court for forgery. Sheikh Ahmad has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Despite the ongoing election-related challenges, Singh expressed confidence in the forthcoming Asian Games during a conversation with Reuters. He emphasised that the election issues are separate from the Games’ organisation and that Hangzhou is fully prepared to host the event. The venues are reportedly ready, and all necessary arrangements are in place, leading Singh to anticipate that these Asian Games will be historic in scale and impact.
The IOC is currently reviewing the OCA’s election process, particularly the outcome in which Sheikh Talal was elected president by a vote of 24-20, edging out Husain Al-Musallam. The IOC has instructed both candidates to refrain from engaging with the OCA’s voting members until the review process is complete.
Singh, who has also chaired the coordination committee for the Hangzhou Games, noted that discussions regarding the next OCA elections are premature. He emphasised the importance of adhering to the Olympic Charter and ethical considerations while waiting for the IOC’s review and subsequent report.
The Asian Games in Hangzhou, situated about 170 kilometres southwest of Shanghai, are scheduled to take place from September 23 to October 8. Despite the ongoing internal issues within the OCA, the event is set to unfold with anticipation, showcasing the unity of the participating nations in the spirit of international sportsmanship.
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