Official Newsletter of the Olympic Council of Edition 28 - March 2015 Phuket’s silver sensation Aaliyah, 11, wins Beach Games medal for

OCA Athletes’ Forum in OCA on the Road to 2018 OCA-ONOC join forces for AIMAG 2017 Contents Inside your 32-page Sporting Asia

3 President’s Message, ACOLOP meeting

4 News Digest: Women in Sport Sporting Asia is the official newsletter of the Olympic 5 News Digest: IOC Extraordinary Session in Council of Asia, published quarterly. Monaco 04 Executive Editor / Director General 6 Inside the OCA: OCA-ONOC sign historic Husain Al Musallam MoU [email protected]

Art Director / IT Director 7 Inside the OCA: OCA Youth Camp 2015 Amer Elalami [email protected] 8-9 2nd Asian Athletes’ Forum, Kuwait Director, Int’l & NOC Relations Vinod Tiwari 10 ANOC General Assembly and Gala Awards [email protected] Night in 05 Director, Department Haider A. Farman 11–22 4th [email protected] Phuket 2014 Editor Jeremy Walker 12-13 Overview, Facts and Figures [email protected]

– the Land of Gold Executive Secretary 14 Nayaf Sraj [email protected] 15 the Pride of Turkmenistan 11-22 PO Box 6706, Hawalli 16-17 Celebrating the success of Phuket 2014 Zip Code 32042 Kuwait

team Welcome Ceremony delights Telephone: +965 22274277 - 88 18 Fax: +965 22274280 - 90 Email: [email protected] Website: www.ocasia.org 19 Phuket Photo Scrapbook

20-21 Spotlight on Malaysia’s 11-year-old silver lady, Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah

15 22 2016 is next for Asian Beach Games

23-24 Games Update: 18th Asian Games Front cover: 2018 Front Cover: Malaysia’s Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah executes a difficult and advanced trick - the SLB (ski line back) - at the European U21 Champi- 25-30 Six pages of NOC news and sport onships in 2014. Aaliyah, 11, won a silver medal in women’s tricks at the 4th Asian Beach Games in Phuket, 31 Obituary: ’s “Mr Olympics” He Thailand, in November. Read all Zhenliang about this rising star of Asian sport on Pages 20-21. 19 Photo: Andrea Gilardi 32 OCA Sports Diary and Sponsors’ Club Page 02 President’s Message

2015 – a year for consolidation

elcome to the first Sporting Asia of 2015! This is the seventh year of publication W 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 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 President, Olympic Council of Asia President, Association of National Olympic Committees Chairman, IOC Olympic Solidarity Commission

Sheikh Ahmad meets ACOLOP delegation

he OCA and ANOC President, HE Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad ACOLOP, whose 12 members include -China, , T Al Sabah, greeted a delegation from the Association of Timor-Leste and Goa (), was formed in 2004. They held Portuguese-Speaking Olympic Committees (ACOLOP) on their first multi-sport games in Macau in 2006 and subsequent the sidelines of the ANOC General Assembly in Bangkok in editions took place in in 2009 and Goa in 2014. The November. fourth ACOLOP Games are scheduled for 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 , 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.

Sheikh Ahmad said financial support could be secured through various Olympic Solidarity programmes and wished the organisation all success in developing sport and international The OCA President greets the ACOLOP delegation. relations among Portuguese-speaking countries and regions. Page 03 News Digest: Women and Sport

IOC honours Sheikha Naima of Kuwait

he IOC Women and Sport Awards for 2014 were such as the GCC volleyball championship for women. She has T announced on the grand stage of the 127th IOC Session also developed initiatives aimed at promoting women’s football at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco on Tuesday, December 9. in the region.”

The Asian award went Sheikha Naima has held numerous leadership positions in sport, to Sheikha Naima Al- including President of the Kuwait Women’s Sports Association Sabah of Kuwait for her and Chair of the ’s Women and work at local, regional Sport Committee. and international level. The OCA congratulates Sheikha Naima for her outstanding In a statement, the IOC achievement. said: “Sheikha Naima has greatly contributed to the development of IOC Women and Sport women in sport and inspired many women Awards for 2014 and girls both in Kuwait World Trophy : Meriem Cherni Mizouni (Tunisia) and throughout the Sheikha Naima is interviewed after receiving her award. region. Africa : Aya Mahmoud Medany (Egypt) “She has hosted and organised a wide range of women and Americas : Nancy Hogshead-Makar (USA) sport events, such as the country’s first women’s Asia : Sheikha Naïma Al-Sabah (Kuwait) tournament. Europe : Anastasia Davydova () “Sheikha Naima organised the first Gulf Cooperation Council Oceania : Siân Mulholland () tournament for women in sport as well as other sporting events

IOC President at the Women and Sport Awards in Monaco.

Page 04 News Digest: 127th IOC Session

Full steam ahead for Olympic Agenda 2020

he full membership of the IOC unanimously approved the “As for the recommendations, they show the flexibility of the IOC T 40 recommendations of Olympic Agenda 2020 at the to work with all stakeholders of the Olympic Games.” 127th IOC Session in Monaco on Monday, December 8. 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 The Grimaldi Forum at Monaco welcomes the IOC. membership,” he said. Raja Randhir, Prince Nawaf become IOC hon. members

he second day of the Extraordinary IOC Session on Prince Nawaf Faisal Fahd bin Abdulaziz of . They T December 9 saw honorary membership bestowed on two both received the . Asian sports leaders – Raja Randhir Singh of India and HRH 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 (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.

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 OCA Secretary General Raja Randhir Singh with the exemplary commitment to sport, its values and the Olympic Olympic Order. Movement.

Page 05 Inside the OCA

OCA, ONOC join forces for AIMAG 2017

The signing ceremony for Ashgabat 2017.

he OCA and Oceania National Olympic Committees , Solomon Islands, , American T (ONOC) signed a Memorandum on Friday, November 28, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu. for joint participation in the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, in 2017. Seven associate members of ONOC will also take part: New Caledonia, Tokelau, Niue, Norfolk Island, Tahiti, Wallis and The Memorandum was signed by the President of Turkmenistan, Futuna, Northern Marianas. HE Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who is also President of the 5th AIMAG Organising Committee; the OCA President, HE The following sports will be included for the 5th AIMAG: Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al-Sabah; and by Dr Robin Mitchell, Chess, , , Muay Thai, , , Ju- President of ONOC. Jitsu, , Cycling (track), , Indoor Athletics, Weightlifting (Powerlifting), Basketball, Taekwondo (WTF), In addition to the 45 NOCs of the OCA, the following 17 NOCs Dance Sport, , Belt , Wrestling (FS/Greco- from Oceania will participate: Roman), Cue Sport (Billiards and Snooker).

Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, The OCA President said other sports would be considered in Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, , Palau, order to promote the movement in Turkmenistan.

ASIAN GAMES LEGACY: The Asian Games Organising Committee held a Memorandum of Understanding signing INCHEON HONOUR: OCA Director General Husain Al-Musallam ceremony with the OCA and Gachon University Gil Medical has received honorary citizenship of Incheon Metropolitan City Centre on December 18. Gil Hospital provided medical services for his contribution to the success of the 17th Asian Games during the 17th Asian Games Incheon 2014 and has now become from September 19-October 4, 2014. an official hospital for the OCA family and NOC members.

Page 06 Inside the OCA

OCA announces sports for 2015 youth camp

he OCA is delighted to announce that it will be running : OCA will invite one athlete and one T three Asian Youth Camp projects in 2015 for aspiring coach from each NOC, in cooperation with Aspire. The camp is young athletes and coaches from around the continent. 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 Following a meeting between the OCA and Aspire NOC. This camp will take place after Ramadan. Academy in Kuwait in December, the Director of the OCA’s Asian Games department, Haider Farman, Athletics - Long Jump: OCA will invite one athlete said: “The OCA Youth Camp is one of the best and one coach from each NOC, in cooperation with Aspire youth development programmes within our Asian Academy in . The camp is scheduled for November. Olympic family.

“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 and and have won medals.”

Mr Farman praised the close working relationship with Aspire Academy in 2014, and said education and coaching would be 3x3 basketball at the Asian Beach Games in Phuket. high on of priorities for the camps in 2015.

OCA Advisory Committee OCA Sports Committee he OCA’s Advisory Committee held a meeting at he meeting, chaired by Zhang Jilong of China, heard T the Intercontinental Hotel in Bangkok on Thursday, T presentations from three sports keen to join the OCA November 6, under the chairmanship of IOC member Ng programme. They included lawn – a very popular Ser Miang of . sport in the Commonwealth countries of Asia.

Mr Ng welcomed the committee members and thanked Following the presentations, the Director of the OCA’s Thailand’s IOC member, Nat Indrapana, for his hospitality Asian Games department, Haider Farman, updated the in hosting . committee members on the sports programmes for the next cycle of events. 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’ Committee Chair Hails Forum a ‘fantastic’ success

he OCA Athletes’ Committee Torganised the second Asian Athletes’ Forum in Kuwait from January 22-24 and invited each NOC to send two delegates.

With the support of the IOC and ANOC, the three-day gathering was aimed Barbara Kendall gets things moving. 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 ’s gold medal-winning women’s volleyball team at the Montreal Olympics in 1976.

“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 The Forum attracted 125 participants. 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 and Yang Yang of China also took part, along with other members of the OCA Athletes’ Committee.

The forum began with an informal ice- breaking session on January 22, and

Photo Call outside OCA HQ.

Page 08 2nd Asian Athletes’ Forum

OCA Athletes’ Committee Chair Hails Forum a ‘fantastic’ 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,” OCA Athletes’ Committee member Tayyab Ikram makes a presentation. added Mrs Arakida.

“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 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 , 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 Ran- is Excellency Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah of Kuwait dhir Singh (India), Tsunekazu Takeda Hwas re-elected unopposed as President of ANOC for (Japan), HRH Prince Tunku Imran (Mal- the term 2014-2018 at the XIX ANOC General Assembly in aysia) and Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski Bangkok on Friday, November 7. (Philippines).

The OCA President, who took over as ANOC President in 2012, the 2015 ANOC General Assembly was standing for his first full four-year term of office and was the will be in Washington DC, USA, in October, only nomination. and in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2016. China’s Li scoops ANOC award for London 2012

he first ANOC Gala Awards Dinner was rich in sporting T 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 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.” China’s Li Xiaoxia with her trophy.

Page 10 PHUKET 2014

Sporting Asia’s 12-page special on the 4th Asian Beach Games, Phuket 2014

for Victory VVThailand - the Land of Gold 4th Asian Beach Games, Phuket 2014

Phuket points the way forward for world beach games

ith its sparkling sea, golden games for the 205 NOCs around W beaches and holiday the globe, possibly in 2017. atmosphere, Phuket staged a memorable 4th Asian Beach Games Natalya Sipovich, OCA Executive from November 14-23, 2014. Board member and Chair of PHUKET the OCA Women and Sport THAILAND2014 The 26 sports attracted over 2,000 Committee, believes a world athletes and were contested at one of beach games would be a very six venue clusters around the island welcome new addition to the that showcased the natural beauty and diversity of Thailand’s Olympic family. “Pearl of the Andaman Sea”. “You just have to look around here in Phuket to see the potential If the goal of the Beach Games is to combine sport and for a world beach games,” said Mrs Sipovich, after presenting tourism in a spectator-friendly the medals at a packed 3x3 basketball venue. environment and without breaking the bank, then Phuket 2014 was “Everyone’s having a great time…the athletes, the officials, the a complete triumph for the OCA spectators. There is a friendly, holiday atmosphere around the and for Thailand. venues but the sports are competitive and serious. It is an ideal combination. Furthermore, it pointed the way forward for the Association of “You also have to look at the costs of hosting a beach National Olympic Committees to games, because there is no need for big new stadiums and organise their own world beach infrastructure. Most of the venues are temporary and will be

Tropical setting for petanque. Chariots of Fire comes to life at the Asian Beach Games.

Page 12 4th Asian Beach Games, Phuket 2014

Phuket points the way forward for world beach games Phuket 2014: Facts and Figures taken down immediately after the games, while the natural resources of sea and sand are already here in abundance. Opening Ceremony : November 14

“Add to this the sunshine and the blue skies and you can see Closing Ceremony : November 23 why the games are attracting so many spectators, both locals and tourists on their holidays in Phuket.” Venue : Saphan Hin Sports Centre NOCs : 43 The exotic venues were a treat, especially at Nai-Yang Beach for the beach athletics, modern pentathlon and triathlon. Athletes : 2,335 The forest of the national park provided tranquility and shade from a burning sun, while Sports : 26 the sea and the beach offered a picturesque backdrop but Events : 165 energy-sapping conditions for the athletes. OCA Family : 13,000

Having now held four Asian Beach Media : 524 Games, starting in 2008, the OCA Press/Photo : 237 is in an ideal position to guide ANOC on the path towards a TV : 287 vibrant and successful world beach games to add value to the Olympic Motto : Celebrate Charming Movement. Sunshine

Star performers at the Opening Ceremony. 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 1 0 2 3 6 8 9 10 27 26 Darussalam 1 0 0 1 7 Indonesia 7 7 14 28 27 Malaysia 0 8 8 16 8 Japan 7 5 7 19 28 0 3 3 6 9 6 0 4 10 29 Iraq 0 2 3 5 10 Bahrain 5 2 0 7 30 Afghanistan 0 2 2 4 11 4 3 5 12 31 0 1 2 3 12 4 0 6 10 32 Macau, China 0 1 0 1 13 Chinese Taipei 3 8 6 17 33 0 1 0 1 14 Hong Kong, China 3 2 7 12 34 Yemen 0 1 0 1 15 Philippines 3 2 7 12 35 Sri Lanka 0 0 2 2 16 Pakistan 2 4 4 10 36 0 0 1 1 17 2 3 3 8 37 Jordan 0 0 1 1 18 2 2 8 12 38 0 0 1 1 19 Qatar 2 2 8 12 20 India 2 1 7 10 Total 165 165 238 568

Thailand’s golden games he host nation dominated the 4th Asian Beach T 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 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). Thai gold at petanque attracts the mass media.

Page 14 4th Asian Beach Games, Phuket 2014

Gold-badam! The Pride of Turkmenistan

urkmenistan won only one gold medal at Phuket 2014, but T 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 Gulbadam Babamuratova is interviewed after her 12 – two days before the opening gold medal success. ceremony – as sambo was a late addition to the sports programme. Gulbadam was joined on the podium by Kazakhstan’s Leila Konuspayeva (silver) and the two bronze medal-winners, “I am very proud to win this gold medal for my team and for Bhagawati Majhi of Nepal and Shahlo Yuldasheva of Uzbekistan. Turkmenistan,” said the 23-year-old champion. Turkmenistan added a silver the next day in the mixed team “I think it is more important that this is the first gold medal for sambo wrestling, giving Gulbadam a second medal of Phuket Turkmenistan rather than the first gold medal of the Games. It 2014 and further media attention for her country in the was very hard to win because the conditions were tough and the countdown to the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in opponents were difficult.” 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 Mobile security in Phuket. to be seen promoting and supporting the Games.

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 Victory for Japan in the mixed triathlon team relay. to the proceedings.

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 Singapore Chef de Mission Aik Vice Governor of Phuket, Teng Ho and Sommai Prijasilpa Dr Sommai Prijasilpa, of POCOG protocol The Singapore flag is ready to be raised. welcomed the teams. exchange gifts. ne of the highlights for all delegations at a multi-sport The team leaders were full of praise for the organisers, O event is the official team welcome ceremony. highlighting the convenience of the athletes being accommodated in a hotel near the relevant competition venue. Although the procedure is quite formal, with a short welcome With six venue clusters scattered around the island for the 26 speech, the playing of the national anthem and the raising of the sports and over 40 hotels in operation, this was an impressive flag, followed by an exchange of souvenir gifts, the ceremony, logistical achievement and contributed significantly to the nevertheless, plays a vital part in building up the atmosphere of smooth running of the games. the games before the opening ceremony. In keeping with the concept of a small-scale, low-cost but high- Phuket organisers chose the tropical setting of Saphan Hin for energy games, the team welcome ceremony was short and sweet the team welcome ceremony for the 4th Asian Beach Games, while incorporating all the required formalities and protocol, near the stadium that would be used for the opening and closing rounded off with a photo call and refreshments in the shade. ceremony. Welcome to Phuket!

Welcome Laos!

Page 18 4th Asian Beach Games, Phuket 2014

Asian Beach Games Scrapbook

A cruise liner anchors in the Andaman Sea off Patong Beach

The woodball venue at Karon South Beach

Place of worship near Patong Beach

The picturesque clock tower in Phuket city.

A large crowd gathers outside the Chinese pagoda before the opening ceremony.

Phuket Graceland - exotic home for the NOCs

The tropical setting of the Holiday Inn Patong Beach - OCA HQ.

Page 19 4th Asian Beach Games, Phuket 2014

All about Aaliyah – Making history for Malaysia

t is unusual to describe an athlete as a veteran at 11 years “I feel good,” she said, after clinching the silver medal at Phuket I old. behind China’s 22-year-old Asian champion, Jiang Hui. But that’s exactly what Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah was in Phuket “I feel really proud because I won this silver medal. It is really last November – a veteran of three Asian Beach Games! fun to have a medal.” 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.

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 , 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 , Indonesia.

So this latest achievement is just another step on the road to her ultimate goal, to be world champion before she is 21. 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 She has also become experienced in dealing with the media at her to rest. Aaliyah is very tough mentally.” home and abroad, and is clearly enjoying herself on and off the water. Here are a few more achievements in her fledgling career:

Proud Aaliyah with Team Malaysia. Aaliyah is aiming for the top.

Page 20 4th Asian Beach Games, Phuket 2014

All about Aaliyah – Making history for 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 Name : Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah and is ranked 38th in the world for open women tricks and seventh in the world for under-17 girls’ tricks. Date of Birth : July 16, 2003 Age : 11 Asian under-17 girls’ tricks champion. Place of Birth : Her record of being the youngest athlete at an OCA event, NOC : Malaysia however, has been passed on to another member of the Sport : Waterski talented water ski family, as her youngest brother, Adam, competed in the men’s tricks at Phuket 2014 aged seven ABG appearances (3) : Muscat 2010, Haiyang years and one month. 2012, Phuket 2014 Another brother, Aiden, aged nine, also took part in the men’s ABG medals (1) : Silver, women’s tricks, tricks. Phuket 2014

Clearly there is a lot more tricks to come from the Hanifah Education : Nexus International School Yoong family, at the Asian Beach Games and beyond. Club : Putrajaya

Aaliyah with China’s Jiang Hui (centre) and Japan’s Saaya Hirosawa. Acrobatic Aaliyah.

Page 21 4th Asian Beach Games, Phuket 2014

Vietnam is next stop for Beach Games festival

he Asian Beach Games is not only introducing vibrant T and modern new sports to the OCA programme, it is also Asian Beach Games History introducing tourist hot spots and exotic locations to Asia and the ABG Year Host City world. 1st ABG 2008 Bali, Indonesia Next on the list, for the 5th Asian Beach Games in 2016, is Vietnam – and in particular 2nd ABG 2010 Muscat, Oman Nha Trang and Danang in the central coastal 3rd ABG 2012 Haiyang, China province of Khanh Hoa. 4th ABG 2014 Phuket, Thailand Proposed dates are September 24 to October 3, 2016, and some 4,000 athletes and officials from 45 5th ABG 2016 Nha Trang, Vietnam NOCs are expected to take part. A high-level delegation was in attendance, too, Athletes, officials and guests alike received a glimpse of led by the Deputy Minister of Culture, Sport and the culture and hospitality awaiting them in 2016 when a Tourism, Le Khanh Hai, who is President of the 46-strong team of dancers, singers and performers captivated Vietnam Olympic Committee. the crowd at the closing ceremony of Phuket 2014. 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.

The province earned more than VND4.5 billion (US$214 million) from tourism activities, and the 5th Asian Beach Vietnam officials attend the closing ceremony. Games will certainly add to that in 2016.

The flag of Vietnam at the closing ceremony in Phuket.

Page 22 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. OCA Hon. Life Vice President Wei Jizhong at the CC meeting.

he first OCA Coordination Committee meeting for the 18th the Closing Ceremony is scheduled for September 2. T Asian Games in 2018 took place in Jakarta on January 26-27. the sports programme will include 28 Olympic sports Led by the Chairman of the Coordination Committee, Tsunekazu and six non-Olympic sports, making a maximum of 34. The Takeda, the OCA visitors were taken on a venue tour on Monday final programme has yet to be confirmed. before sitting down for business at the newly-opened Fairmont Jakarta the following day. Only two new venues will be constructed: an aquatics centre in the Senayan sports complex and a cycling The CC meeting included presentations from Jakarta and co- velodrome. host city Palembang, capital of South Sumatera, an update from the Ministry of Youth and Sport and a debriefing from the 2014 there will be four venue clusters: North Jakarta, South Incheon Asian Games Organising Committee. Jakarta, Jakarta Suburb Cluster and Palembang.

The President of the Indonesian Olympic Committee, IOC Organisers are expecting 15,000 athletes and officials from member Rita Subowo, assured the OCA delegation that everyone 45 NOCs, 7,000 media and 25,000 volunteers and workforce. involved, from President Joko Widodo down, was working hard to make the 18th Asian Games the best the SEA region had ever the Athletes’ Village will be in North Jakarta, and the staged. Media Village in South Jakarta.

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; the Opening Ceremony is scheduled Asian Dance Festival in 2017; cultural roadshow to around six for August 18, giving the lucky number of 18-8- countries in 2017; Asian Food Festival, Art Exhibition and Athletes’ 18, at the Gelora Bung Karno national stadium. Village Cultural Programme during the 18th Asian Games.

OCA CC Chairman Tsunekazu Takeda enjoys the venue tour. Indonesia NOC President Rita Subowo briefs the media.

Page 23 Games Update 18th Asian Games 2018

Golden memories for OCA’s Flying Doctor Jega

hen the OCA Coordination Committee visited the W 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 morale- The Gelora Bung Karno national stadium - built for the 1962 Asian booster for me because I was not a favourite in the 100. 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 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! 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 JIEXPO will stage nine sports, mainly martial arts, while ICE Ouse of the vast ExCel Arena to stage several indoor will focus more on team sports due to the high ceilings (26 sports and create a crackling atmosphere for the duration of metres) of the halls. the Olympic Games. ICE was completed as recently as December 2014 and Indonesian organisers are following this example by is a modern, high-tech convention and exhibition centre selecting the Jakarta International Expo (JIEXPO) and the offering all the support services needed to host big sports Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) to host at least 13 events. indoor sports in the various halls. According to the OCA’s Hon. Life Vice President, Wei Jizhong, this will avoid the There’s no doubt about it – ICE is nice and will provide a need to construct six new stadiums. really cool environment for the 18th Asian Games.

Page 24 News and Sport from 45 NOCs

mittee, inaugurated the newly built Multi Sport Hall in Trashigang Afghanistan on December 19, 2014.

The Ministry of Information and Culture has issued letters of It was funded by the Royal Government of with contribu- appreciation to a number of athletes for winning medals in tions from the Olympic Council of Asia under its Olympasia Project. international competitions, reports the Bakhtar News Agency in Construction began in November 2012. (www.bhutanolympiccom- Kabul. mittee.org)

NOC President Mohammad Fahim Hashimi thanked the ministry Brunei Darussalam for recognising the athletes and said Afghan athletes had earned the pride of the nation in recent Asian tournaments. A total of 87 athletes have been named in the Athletes Under Consideration category for the 28th South East Asian (SEA) Games Bahrain in Singapore this June from a list of 427 athletes - 309 male and 118 female - nominated by the national sports associations. Speaking at a symposium on the 2015 WADA Code attended by 360 participants at the Gulf Hotel, Bahrain Olympic Committee The President of the Brunei Darussalam NOC, HRH Prince Hj Sufri General Secretary Abdulrahman Askar stressed the importance Bolkiah, said the sports associations should be notified as quickly of fighting doping and providing the best possible conditions for as possible to make further preparations. (www.bruneiolympic.org) national athletes. 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 In a letter dated January 16, the Director of the IOC International Cooperation and Development Department, Lindsay Glassco, silver medallist Abdullah Hel Baki finished commended the great efforts of the NOC and thanked the Secretary seventh among eight finalists in the 10m Air Rifle event of the Amir General, HE Vath Chamroeun, and NOCC Expert/Adviser and of Kuwait International Shooting Grand Prix in . Baki scored 99.7 points in the final after qualifying in fifth position with Events Coordinator for the hospitality provided to the participants an aggregate score of 622 points, reports The Daily Star. from 26 countries in Asia. (www.noccambodia.org)

Bhutan China

His Royal Highness Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck, Representative Sports Minister and COC President Liu Peng met with a delegation of His Majesty the King and President of the Bhutan Olympic Com- led by Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah, OCA and ANOC President, in 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)

Page 25 News and Sport from 45 NOCs

The Indonesian Olympic Committee held a Welcome Dinner at the Mulia Hotel in Jakarta for OCA President Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad DPR Korea Al Sabah, who led a high-level delegation from OCA to visit Jakarta in the lead up to the 18th Asian Games. DPRK marathon runner Kim Hye Gyong returned home on January27 after winning the women’s 15th Asian Marathon Championship The OCA delegation was welcomed by NOC President Mrs Rita and the 2015 Hong Kong Marathon. Kim and her teammates were Subowo and the Minister of Youth and Sport, Mr Imam Nahrawi. greeted by officials and athletes at Pyongyang Railway Station. The NOC and OCA Presidents gave awards to the Indonesian athletes who won gold medals at the Incheon Asian Games 2014. 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. N.O.C.I.R.IRAN Iran

Iran NOC reports on January 24 that the Supreme Leader of the hong Kong, China Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, received a number of Iranian athletes who took part in the The Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China and in Incheon, Korea. 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 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. Iraq hkolympic.org) The President of the Iraqi Olympic Committee, Raad Hamoudi, India congratulated the football team on reaching the knockout stages of the AFC Asian Cup 2015 in Australia. “Qualification came as a Five-time world champion said she was honoured result of the excellent work of all members of the coaching staff and to be mentioned as one of India’s great achievers in a speech by players, who succeeded in bringing happiness to the Iraqi people,” visiting US President Barack Obama. The mother-of-three from he told All Iraq News (AIN). Manipur has also been named as a boxing ambassador to promote the Tourism Authority of Thailand, reports The Times of India. Iraq, champions in 2007, reached the semi-finals in Australia before losing to Korea.

Indonesia 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 Games. (www.joc.or.jp)

Page 26 News and Sport from 45 NOCs

A member of the martial arts committee at the Kuwaiti Olympic Jordan Committee, Khaled Al-Saleh, told KUNA (Kuwait News Agency) that the medal tally consisted of two gold, three silver and four bronze The has launched a series of workshops medals. The official lauded the performance of the team, promising to spread the Olympic Values throughout the Kingdom. In more achievements in future tournaments. coordination with the Greater Amman Municipality, the workshops are being held for children across different areas of the city to teach Kyrgyzstan them the value of sport and the role it can play in society. The 38th international tournament dedicated to the memory of the Hero of the , 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 Chef de Mission of the Lao NOC at the 4th Asian Beach Games The first of five workshops was held in Wadi Al Haddadeh for four in Phuket, Singkham Naline, oversaw the team winning 12 medals, days, with the participation of 32 boys and girls aged between 11 including two gold. and 17. (www.joc.jo)

Lebanon Kazakhstan Antoine Chartier, the former Lebanese Olympic Committee The 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Bid President, was laid to rest in Ain Saade, Lebanon, on December Committee delivered its Candidature File to the IOC in Lausanne, 18. Family, loved ones and prominent politicians bid farewell in Switzerland, on January 6. the enchanting setting of the Mont La Salle Sports Club that Mr

Chartier founded during the country’s worst times, over 30 years Almaty was represented by the Vice Mayor of Almaty City, Mrs. ago, reports Ya Libnan. Zauresh Amanzholova; NOC Secretary General Mr. Timur Dossymbetov; Almaty 2022 Bid Board member Mr. Andrey Kryukov; After the religious ceremony, the coffin was taken to the Sports Club Mr. Ilya Urazakov, Director General of the State Foundation to loud applause of teachers and students, some of whom could “Organizing committee of the International sports events”, and by barely contain their emotions. Ms. Oksana Rizanenko, IOC & IF Bid Relations Director. (www. almaty-2022.org) Macau, China

Korea Macau’s seven medal-winners from the Incheon Asian Games were among the athletes and coaches rewarded for their efforts in 2014 President Park Geun-hye has called for thorough preparations for the to be held in amid concerns of construction delays, reports Yonhap News Agency.

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.

Page 27 News and Sport from 45 NOCs

by the Macau government’s Sports Development Board at a lavish Secretary-General Mrs E. Ochirsuren welcomed the Mongolian ceremony on January 16. representatives at Olympic House and wished them fruitful training in the 2018 Winter Olympics city. There were three silver medals, all in , for Jia Rui, Li Yi and Huang Junhua, and four bronze medals, for Cheung Pui Si (), Myanmar Paula Carion (karate), Liu Qing (taekwondo) and Wang Junnan (taekwondo). After a 17-year hiatus, the Myanmar National Sports Tournament was held in the capital Naypyitaw fromDecember 8-24 with The silver medal-winners each received 120,000 MOP (15,000 hundreds of amateur athletes competing in 27 sports, with an USD) and the bronze medal-winners were given 80,000 MOP additional seven para-sport events, reports the Myanmar Times. (10,000 USD). Their coaches received half this amount, resulting in a total government pay-out for the Asian Games of 1,020,000 According to U Thaung Htike, vice minister at the Ministry of Sport, MOP (127,500 USD). previous national sports tournaments were held in 1992, 1994 and 1997. The 2014 edition would be ideal preparation for the SEA Malaysia Games in Singapore in June, he added.

The National Sports Council of Malaysia organised the “Athletes Nepal Concerns for Flood Victims Programme” on New Year’s Day at the Gimnasium 1 & 2, National Sports Council, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur. The NOC has been awarded six athlete scholarships from Olympic Solidarity for Rio 2016. They are Ms. Sangita Khadka (Athletics), The programme was strongly supported by the Olympic Council Ms. Saraswati Rana (Boxing), Ms. Phupu Lamu Khatri (), Ms. of Malaysia and its affiliates, the National Sports Associations, Sofia Shah (Swimming), Mr. Sirish Gurung (Swimming) and Ms. as well as by retired, present and future national athletes, sports Nisha Rawal (Taekwondo). officials and sponsors who turned up in large numbers, bringing with them boxes and cartons of food items, as well donating money In accordance with the agreement, each scholarship holder will to Malaysian flood victims. (www.olympic.org.my) receive USD 670 per month for their training programme from January 1, 2015 to May 2016. (www.nocnepal.org) Maldives Oman The Maldives Olympic Committee selected Moosa Munsif Ahmed (Table tennis Association) and Fadhuwa Zahir (Football Association) celebrated Olympic Day 2014 on to participate in the 2nd Asian Athletes’ Forum in Kuwait from Monday, December 22 in five governorates of the Sultanate: January 22-24. (www.nocmaldives.org) Muscat, Nizwa, Sohar, Salalah and Buraimi. In Muscat, Olympic activities were staged in Al Qurum Park from Mongolia 3pm-6pm under the auspices of Sheikh Talal bin Said Al Maamari, CEO of Omantel, and in the presence of Sheikh Khalid bin Mongolia NOC, in cooperation with the Mongolian Ski Federation, Mohammed Al Zubair, OCC Board Chairman, and members of will send three athletes aged 16 and one coach to the Dream the organising committee. 2015 Programme conducted by Gangwon Province and the 2018 PyeongChang Organising The Olympic Day included several activities such as bowling, karate, Committee. The cross-country skiers are B. Gombodorj, B. Batshur traditional games, weightlifting, athletics, , basketball, and Ts. Munkhchimeg, supported by the coach, Ya. Munkhdulam. volleyball, tennis, ball games, group run and walk, table tennis, hockey, pentathlon and as well as the accompanying Mongolia NOC President Dr D. Zagdsuren and Ski Federation exhibitions.

Page 28 News and Sport from 45 NOCs

Pakistan Singapore

Pakistan NOC celebrated five medals in ju-jitsu at the 4th Asian The Singapore National Olympic Council inked an agreement Beach Games in Phuket – two gold and three silver. The two gold with Sunrise & Company, extending its 42-year partnership with the medals were won by Muhammad Ammar and Abu Hurrara in men’s Yonex distributor. The six-year deal will see Sunrise continue to kit duo and by Ahmad Butt in the men’s individual fight of +90 kg. Team Singapore athletes and officials heading to major Games with Yonex-branded apparel from the 2015 to Pakistan won 10 medals in total at Phuket – two gold, four silver the 2020 Olympic Games. (www.snoc.org.sg) 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 Sri Lanka The Philippine Olympic Committee website (www.olympic.ph) Upon the request of NOC Sri Lanka, Olympic Solidarity has awarded reported on the excellent performances of long distance runners an Olympic Scholarship for Rio 2016 to the following five athletes: Mary Grace de los Santos and Christabel Martes, who came in E. Niluka Rushan Perera Karunaratne (), K. Anton Sudesh second and third respectively in the show case 21.1km Elite event Peiris (Weightlifting), W. Chamara Milinda Perera (Wrestling), R.M. of the ninth Great Eastern Women’s Run in Singapore. Chandrika Subashini Rasnayaka (Athletics) and R. Chamara Nuwan Dharmawardhana (Judo). (www.srilankaolympic.org) 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. Syria olympic.ph) The Sports Journalists Committee, in cooperation with the Quneitra Branch of the General Sports Federation, honored a number of Qatar Syrian athletes and media establishments for their role in covering the crisis and conveying the reality of the events in Syria, reports the HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Secretary General Syrian Arab News Agency. of the , 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.

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 The honored athletes were: Mohammad Khaled al-Mohammad (para games shot put/javelin), Majd Ghazal (high jump) and Saleh Prince Turki bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Mohammad (marathon swimming). 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 Al- Chinese Taipei Suwailem. During the meeting, they discussed a number of topics relating to sports activities and events in the Riyadh region, reports At the invitation of the Chinese Taipei Triathlon Association, the Vice the Saudi Press Agency. President of the Asian Triathlon Confederation, Mr Tom T. Carrasco,

Page 29 News and Sport from 45 NOCs

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. who is also Chairman of the Philippine Olympic Committee, and Mr Attendees started by expressing thanks and appreciation to HH Datuk Balwant Singh Kler, Secretary General of the Confederation, Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, President of the UAE visited Taiwan from January 16-22. NOC, for the unlimited support accorded to all sports and Olympic events in the UAE. The delegation was on a venue inspection tour to New Taipei City The meeting, which was chaired by HE Abdul Rahman Al Owais, for the 2015 Asian Triathlon Championships to be held from June Minister of Health, Vice President of the UAE NOC and Chairman 13-14 as one of the qualification tournaments of Rio 2016. of the Executive Office, was attended by HE Advisor Mohammed Al Kamali, Secretary General of the NOC; Engineer Dawood Al Hajri, They also called on the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee on Assistant Secretary General of the NOC as well as other members January 20. Mr Kevin Chen, CTOC Secretary General, received and sports figures. (www.uaenoc.net) them on behalf of President Hong-Dow Lin. Uzbekistan Tajikistan The NOC hopes that the exceptional performances of their athletes Tajik athletes won 43 medals, including 10 gold, at the CIS Open at the YOG last August can inspire more Olympic medals Cup - part of the ITF Taekwondo World Cup - in Minsk, reports in Rio 2016. Asia-Plus. The three-day tournament, held at the Minsk Arena Velodrome, involved 1,200 athletes aged 7 to 39 from 13 countries. An official cer- emony took place in the city Thailand of Chirchik to honour the YOG Thailand’s Sports and Tourism Minister, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, participants. It praised the concept of the OCA’s Asian Beach Games during the was highlighted fourth edition of the ABG at Phuket. While waiting to greet the OCA during the event President on his arrival at Karon Beach for a medal presentation, that constant at- she said the ABG was an ideal vehicle to promote both sport and tention is being paid under the leadership of President Islam Kari- tourism, giving the host city the opportunity to showcase its resorts mov to the development of sports as one of the most critical means and natural beauty while offering additional entertainment value to in nurturing a physically and spiritually advanced younger genera- locals and tourists alike.(www.olympicthai.or.th) tion, and thus extensive opportunities are being created to boost physical cultural and sports.

Timor-Leste Vietnam Under the topic “12 months, 12 good news stories for Timor-Leste”, the Government of Timor-Leste celebrated the country’s participation Vietnam finished a creditable fifth in the medal rankings at the 4th - on February 7 - for the first time in the Winter Olympic Games, Asian Beach Games in Phuket with eight gold medals, 12 silver and proudly represented by Yohan Gonçalves Goutt. 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) Turkmenistan

The State Committee for Sports of Turkmenistan announced the top Yemen 10 athletes of 2014, reports the State News Agency of Turkmenistan. Asian Football Confederation President Shaikh Salman Bin Ebrahim They were: Gulbadam Babamuratov (), Serdar Al Khalifa has expressed his deep sadness over the passing away of Hudayberdiyev (boxing), Aziz Bebitov (boxing), Shermet Permanov former Yemen Football Association President Mohammed Al Qadi. (Greco-Roman wrestling), Salahetdin Bayramov (wushu), Jennet Aynazarova (wushu), Tirkeshgeldi Ayazov (belt wrestling), Saparmurat The AFC President stated that he appreciates the great contributions Atabayev (chess), Valentina Simakova (para powerlifting) and of Al Qadi and stressed that his dedication to Yemeni football and Sergey Meladze (para powerlifting). the game in general will always be remembered. (www.the-afc.com)

Page 30 Obituary

China’s ‘Mr Olympics’ He Zhenliang

he man known as “Mr Olympics” in China, He Zhenliang, T 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

ormer Lebanon NOC President Antoine Chartier died after F 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

itoshi Saito, a two-time Olympic judo champion and former Hmen’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.

Page 31 OCA Sports Diary

2015 , Argentina: August 19 Kuwait: March 04 – 05 IOC Coordination Commission The Independence of Sports Organisations Samoa: September 05-12 and Federations Forum 5th Muscat, Oman: March 08-19 Ashgabat, Turkmenistan: September 07-08 4th GCC Women’s Games 34th OCA General Assembly Maldives: March 13 PyeongChang, Korea: September 22 Olympic Solidarity Commission IOC Coordination Commission PyeongChang, Korea: March 17 Lausanne, Switzerland: October 08 IOC Coordination Commission IOC 7th Athletes’ Forum Doha, Qatar: April 03-16 Washington DC, USA: October 27 GCC Beach Games ANOC Commissions and Working Group meetings Sochi, Russia: April 19 Washington DC, USA: October 28 13th Sport Accord International Convention ANOC Executive Council & Continental Association Lausanne, Switzerland: May 06 Meetings International Convention for Careers in Sport Washington DC, USA: October 29 Doha, Qatar: May 18 20th ANOC General Assembly 5th World Stadium Congress taipei: November 11 , Iran: May 21 Annual UPIM Congress 66th OCA Executive Board Lausanne, Switzerland: December 8 Lima, Peru: May 26 IOC Executive Board 7th IOC Athlete Career Programme Forum Singapore: June 05 – 16 2016 28th South Lillehammer, Norway: February 26 – March 6 Lausanne, Switzerland: June 08 II Winter Youth Olympic Games ANOC Executive Council and Inauguration Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: August 5 – 21 of new ANOC HQ XXXI Olympic Summer Games Lausanne, Switzerland: June 09 Danang, Vietnam: September 24 – October 3 Evaluation Commission Report/Candidate 5th Asian Beach Games Cities Briefing for IOC Members , Japan: June 30 2017 IOC Coordination Commission Gwangju, Korea: July 03-14 , Japan: February 19 – 26 28th Summer 8th Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: July 27 Ashgabat, Turkmenistan (Dates to be confirmed) IOC Executive Board 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: July 30 Colombo, Sri Lanka (Dates to be confirmed) 128th IOC Session Opening Ceremony 3rd Asian Youth Games Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: July 31 2018 Election of Host City for

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: August 13 PyeongChang, Korea: February 09 – 25 IOC Coordination Commission XXIII Olympic Winter Games Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: August 17 Jakarta, Indonesia: August 18 – September 02 Chef de Mission Seminar for 2016 Olympic Games 18th Asian Games, Jakarta 2018

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