WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014 SPORTS

ASIAN GAMES ready to showcase cream of Asian sports

SEOUL: An array of Olympians and stars of sports niche and new arrive in the South Korean city of Incheon for the 17th this month, bringing together some 10,000 athletes for a 16-day multi-sport spectacu- lar second only in scale to the Summer Olympics. From weightlifting to wushu, rowing to rugby sevens and swimming to sepaktakraw, the Games will showcase elite Asian talent in 28 Olympic and eight non-Olympic sports from Sept. 19 to Oct. 4, with a total of 439 gold medals up for grabs. While are certainties to top the medal count for the ninth straight Games, South Korea have set an ambitious target of 90 golds, though the hosts would probably settle for less as long as they finish above fierce rivals Japan. India, perennial underachievers in world sport, are determined to improve on the 14 golds they won four years ago in , while Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand will battle it out for bragging rights in Southeast Asia. Four years on from Guangzhou’s glitzy Games, which by some estimates left the city in debt to the tune of $32 billion, South Korea has spent a reported 1.2 trillion won ($1.2 billion) on construction costs to host the event for a third time. Operational costs are expected to run to 480 billion won. The huge costs of hosting the multi-sports event may make countries think twice about bidding for future Games. Vietnam quit as 2019 hosts amid concerns it would not prove financially viable. India and Malaysia both decided against throwing their hats into the ring to host the event, citing financial concerns. Indonesia looks to be the only candidate willing to step in and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is announce its decision on the host at its general assembly in Incheon later this month.

CHINESE POWERHOUSE Troubled by few financial concerns, China, as expect- ed, is sending the biggest delegation to Incheon with 899 athletes and will once again hope to use the Games as a springboard to launch the careers of future Olympic champions. Swimmers Sun Yang and Ye Shiwen both made their big breakthroughs in Guangzhou by each winning two gold medals before repeating the feat at the Olympics in 2012. The double Olympic champions will form the core of China’s powerful swim team, who will look to grab more than half of the 38 INCHEON: Asian Games mascots Barame (left), Vichuon (center) and Chumuro posing on the flag plaza of the Athletes’ Village ahead of the upcoming 2014 Asian Games swimming golds on offer in Incheon. during a media tour in Incheon. — AFP The Chinese are also likely to dominate diving, gym- nastics, table tennis and badminton and field heavy favorites across many of the 36 sports in Incheon. While organizers will hope to keep the focus firmly on sport, ‘12-toed athlete’ knows ’s strained relations with some of its Asian neigh- bors over territorial disputes in the East and South China Seas could add spice to the competition. Beijing has been involved in disputes with Vietnam, the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries over claims in the where the shoe pinches South China Sea, and tensions have also been height- ened with Japan and South Korea over Beijing’s declara- tion of an air defence identification zone. NEW DELHI: Pursuing a largely unrewarding lot of science and technology go into the While ‘sports diplomacy’ can sometimes help smooth Olympic sport in a cricket-obsessed country making of modern sports footwear and they bumpy relations between countries, Lee Tai-hwan, direc- requires adjustments but Indian heptathlete are not really known for that,” said Sarkar. tor of Seoul’s Sejong Institute, said it would be difficult Swapna Barman has taken it to a new level - Barman would have to “adjust” until she lands to expect any concrete improvements arising from the squeezing six toes in each shoe designed for a job, reckons her coach at the SAI centre in Asian Games. “While sports events like this can act as a five. Born with six toes in each foot, the 18- Kolkata. Interestingly, Sarkar had initially catalyst, the Asian Games won’t be a watershed moment year-old from a poor family in Jalpaiguri in the rejected Barman, who originally began as a to resolve conflicts and improve the ties in the region,” east Indian state of West Bengal has been high-jumper. “I was looking for jumpers and he told Reuters by telephone. “Although we cannot forced to run, jump and throw wearing shoes even though people spoke highly of her, I completely rule out the positive effects the Games that have affected more than aiding her per- thought she was too short to have any future would have on the geopolitical situation in Asia, they formance. “Even after all these years, it still in high-jump. won’t be big or long-lasting.” hurts every time I put my shoes on,” Barman “Later I noticed she jumps with a tremen- told Reuters in an interview. “It’s worse during dous burst of power, which got me thinking GOLDEN EXEMPTION the running events. I try to adjust but my toes about channelling that power to another For most of the continent’s athletes the lure of an curl under pressure.” event for better results.” Sarkar introduced her Asian Games gold medal rests in the fame and fortune it Her lamentation sounds almost an to and the throw events and was often brings, but for South Korean men there is a bigger anachronism in an era when athletes are try- happy with what he saw in her obedient five- prize at stake - an exemption from two years of military ing to get the best out of modern sports sci- foot-three-inch student. “We toyed with hep- service. South Korea is technically still at war with its ence and would not compromise on the tathlon last year and after two month’s prac- northern neighbor after the 1950-53 Korean War ended sports equipments they use. She paused tice, she scored 4435 points to finish second in when asked if she tried customized shoes. “I Youth Nationals. It was only this year that she in a truce and not a peace treaty. It requires all able-bod- Indian heptathlete Swapna Barman ied men to serve around two years in the military. did try a pair from a local manufacturer. It did turned a full-fledged heptathlete and scored However, in a bid to foster elite athletes South Korea not last two days.” Coach Subhash Sarkar, who poor and the pressure points were all wrong.” rupees ($930), calculates Sarkar. “She has got 5400 to qualify for the Asian Games.” offers exemptions to those winning gold at the Asian discovered her and remains her greatest moti- Barman, currently sweating it out at the proper shoes for shot put and 800 metres but Sarkar has set Barman a target of 5500 Games or a medal of any color at the Olympics. Hosting vation, explains what a reticent Barman would Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre in I’m afraid she may have to compete in other points in Incheon. In the last Asian Games in the Games for a third time after Seoul in 1986 and Busan not. “She is not a star athlete for whom Adidas Patiala, has naturally been left with no other events wearing substandard locally made Guangzhou, compatriot GG Pramila scored in 2002, South Korea have gold medal favorites in Park or Nike will design special shoes with precise choice but to train with the pain and that’s not shoes.” 5415 to win a bronze. As she talks of her first Tae-hwan (swimming), Son Yeon-jae (rhythmic gymnas- pressure points, perfect grip and other specifi- the only problem plaguing the Asian Games- major international event later this month, tics) and Oh Jin-hyek (recurve archery). They also have cations,” Sarkar said. “They’ll do that for a star bound athlete. Even the regular shoes are a Goodwill inadequate the word “adjust” resurfaces. “I don’t think high hopes in shooting, fencing, judo and taekwondo, who will tweet a picture and sales would luxury for the teenager whose father is para- Some local manufacturers have offered to about the problems anymore. I have to as well as team events such as baseball and men’s and immediately soar. lyzed and elder brother a daily wager. She design special shoes for her but Sarkar says adjust to whatever is available. Sir has set a women’s soccer. “We did try some local manufacturers but needs seven pair of shoes for a heptathlon excellence needs more than just goodwill. “I target and my job is to practice and try and North Korea will also send athletes to the Games but those were really substandard. The grip was meet and that means around 56,000 Indian have respect for their emotions but honestly a achieve that.” — Reuters negotiations on its participation have been tricky. Late last month the North announced it had decided not to send a squad of 350 cheerleaders to Incheon and First Asia, then world N Korea set for a rare accused Seoul of “abusing sacred sports and cultural exchange” for a “sinister political purpose”. Yang Moo-jin, sports foray in South professor of University of North Korean Studies, said there was no undercurrent of warming relations to the for ‘dominant’ China SEOUL: A delegation of over 250 North Korean athletes, North’s participation in the Asian Games. South and coaches and officials will take a rare flight south of the inter- North Korea marched together at the opening ceremo- Korean border to participate in the 17th Asian Games this BEIJING: China’s emerging stars set the last Asian Games alight and month, hoping to raise the reclusive country’s profile on the ny of the 2000 Sydney Olympics and there has been talk now the country’s formidable sports machine will look to unleash a about fielding joint teams over the years, but the rela- international sporting stage. North Korean leader Kim Jong new generation of world-beaters in Incheon. Sun Yang and Ye Un is at the centre of a state propaganda drive to turn the tionship has deteriorated. Shiwen were barely known teenagers at the 2010 Guangzhou “This time, North Korea is making it clear ... it is only isolated country into a “sports superpower” and has reward- Games, but 10 world and Olympic swimming titles later they will be ed medal-winning athletes with luxury apartments, enter- attending the event as a member of the Asian Games,” among the biggest stars in South Korea. tained flamboyant NBA hall of famer Dennis Rodman, and added Yang. “So we should refrain from attaching too Officials are playing down expectations that China can match even tried his hand at coaching. much meaning to North Korea’s participation.” While their performance of 2010, when they collected 416 medals includ- “Supreme leader Kim Jong Un personally guided matches talks are still ongoing between the two Koreas over the ing 199 golds-both Asian Games records. But there is little doubt for examining the men’s and women’s football of the details of the North’s delegation, Pyongyang is expected that China, who will bring nearly 900 athletes-roughly one-tenth of National Sports Team which will take part in the 17th Asian to send around 150 athletes to Incheon. The North, the total field-are set to top the medals table for the ninth time in a Games,” a North Korean Olympic Committee official said in a which rewards its top athletes with apartments, cars and row. The 15-day competition in Incheon will be one of the most state media article last month. “Our players’ participation in cash for raising the country’s image on the world stage, important proving grounds for China’s emerging athletes as they the 17th Asian Games offers an important occasion in could win several gold medals in weightlifting after look towards the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. improving the relations between the north and the south earning three at the London Olympics two years ago. Many of the competitors from last month’s Youth Olympics in and removing distrust,” the official said. Nanjing will represent China, while badminton great Lin Dan, 30, Tensions between North and South Korea are high and will defend his title for what could be the last time. With the num- VIRTUAL MONOPOLY the two states are still technically in a state of war after the ber of sports reduced from 42 to 36, and the total number of gold 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce, not a peace treaty. Tokyo has won the right to host the 2020 Summer medals down to 439 from 477, China are unlikely to improve on Olympics but Japan won only seven gold medals at the Talks between Pyongyang and Seoul are rare and local media their haul of 2010. “Almost all experts agree that China will see a coverage about North Korea’s participation in the Asian London Games two years ago and have finished third in sharp decline in gold medals,” state broadcaster CCTV said on its GUANGZHOU: File photo shows Ye Shiwen of China com- the medal standings behind China and South Korea at peting in the women’s 200m individual medley heats in Games has largely centred around a decision by Pyongyang website. By comparison, China’s nearest rivals South Korea and to send a group of female cheerleaders to accompany its ath- the last four Asian Games. The Japanese are sending 716 Japan won 76 and 48 gold medals respectively in Guangzhou. the swimming event of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou. — AFP letes to the South. athletes to South Korea with their swim team expected A major issue of contention had been who will foot the to spearhead the gold medal hunt following their seven Superstar status as I maintain my systematic training, it won’t be difficult for me to bill for hosting the delegation from cash-strapped North wins at the Pan Pacific Championships in Australia last China’s youngsters will hope to follow in the footsteps of Sun reach that same level.” Ye, now 18, won the 200m and 400m individ- Korea. The South Korean government has said it will share month. Weightlifter Hiromi Miyake will act as captain and Ye, who were aged just 19 and 14 when they won four golds ual medley in 2010, and went on to stun the world by taking out some of the cost, but North Korea has since withdrawn its and archer Kaori Kawanaka the flag bearer, the first time between them in 2010. Sun since gained superstar status by win- both titles at the London Olympics two years later. Ye, who last cheerleader offer, and accused Seoul of “abusing the Olympic Japan have picked two women to undertake the duties ning two gold medals at the 2012 Olympics, along with five world month enrolled in a top Beijing university, will be looking to get idea for sinister political purposes.” titles, and twice breaking the hallowed 1500m world record along at an Olympic or Asian Games. back on the podium after departing last year’s Barcelona world the way. However, the 23-year-old has also attracted controversy, championships without a medal. Wons to watch While the powerhouses of Northeast Asia slug it out and he was banned from swimming activities after briefly being China grabbed 24 of the 38 swimming gold medals in 2010, and for the gold medals, the smaller nations will also be North Korea, also known by its official DPRK acronym, jailed last November for driving his Porsche without a licence. they also cleaned up in table tennis, diving, badminton, gymnastics won three weightlifting gold medals and one bronze at the vying to get on the podium, with only Bhutan, Maldives Sun returned to the pool in style in May, winning the 200m and weightlifting. This time around, rising star Fan Zhendong is the and Timor-Leste yet to win an Asian Games medal of any 2012 Olympic Games. Weightlifting is a sport in which the freestyle title at China’s national championships, and he will again one to watch in ping pong after rising through China’s ultra-com- isolated country has excelled, despite suffering from wide- color. Perhaps they will find success in some of the less be favorite for his races in Incheon. But the tall swimming icon looks petitive ranks to become world number three at the age of just 17. spread malnutrition and occasional food shortages within mainstream sports at the Games, such as ten pin bowl- unlikely to defend his 1500m title-which he won in an Asian record In , long jumper Li Jinzhe improved his personal best which an ample supply of protein is a particular concern. ing or sepaktakraw, where players use their feet, knees, in 2010 - as he is still returning to full fitness after his lay-off. “I’m three times this year, and recorded last year’s fourth-longest leap in North Korean state propaganda has also focused on the chest and head to send a rattan ball into the opposition slowly getting back the levels of oxygen capacity and speed that I the world at 8.34m. Zhang Peimeng ran the 100m in a Chinese overseas success of its female athletes, whom earlier this year court. Among the sports left off the Incheon program had at the London Olympics, and in the short distances my level record of 10.00sec at last year’s world championships, raising hopes it described as “enjoying the love and respect of the people from the Guangzhou Games were dragon boat racing has even surpassed my Olympics standard,” said Sun, according to he could become the first native Asian to break the 10-second barri- as laudable daughters of the nation, and beautiful flowers of and board games, which the Chinese had a virtual the Nanjing Morning Post. er. Zhang told the Tencent news portal that he was eager to “grasp” the times.” —Reuters “I have also seen other (competitors’) performances and as long the opportunity of performing his first Asian Games. —AFP monopoly on. — Reuters