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Official Newsletter of the Olympic Council of Edition 49 - June 2020

HELLO ! MEET THE NEW MASCOTS

OCA Games Update OCA Advisory Commi�ee OCA Calendar OCA and COVID-19 Contents Inside Sporting Asia Edition 49 – June 2020

3 President’s Message 11 4 - 7 News in Pictures 8 - 9 Awards

10 - 11 Inside the OCA

12 - 16 OCA Games Updates

17 - 20 Asia/Oceania Olympic Qualifier

20 21 Road to : Table

22 - 25 Olympic Spirit in COVID-19

26 - 27 Women in

28 - 29 News in Brief 22 30 - 34 Obituary 36 OCA Sports Diary/Sponsors Club

Enjoy E-mobility @ the Asian Games with Geely

Zhejiang Geely Holding Group was founded in 1986 and entered the automotive industry in 1997. Since then, it has grown with a dedication towards technological innovation, talent cultivation, tempering of core strengths, sustainability. Geely has developed into a global enterprise engaged in the design, R&D, production, sales, and service of vehicles, powertrains, and key components. The Group is in the midst of transforming into a global mobility technology enterprise engaged in the fields of mobility services, digital technology, financial services, education, sports, and other business. In 2019, Geely Holding Group was listed on the Fortune Global 500 for eight consecutive years with annual sales of over 2.17 million vehicles, assets totaling over 330 billion RMB, and employing more than 120,000 people.

Headquartered in Hangzhou, the group owns several brands including Geely Auto, Lynk & Co, Geometry, Volvo Cars, Polestar, PROTON, Lotus, London Electric Vehicle Company, Farizon Auto, Terrafugia, CAOCAO, Qianjiang Motorcycle, Joma, Saxo Bank, Mitime Group, etc. The group and its subsidiaries have set up a global development network with R&D and design centres located around the world. The Group operates world-class manufacturing facilities in , US, UK, Sweden, Belgium, , and . Geely is also the largest shareholder in Volvo AB and Daimler AG.

In April 2019, Geely Holding Group became the official prestige partner of the in Hangzhou. Under the slogan “Enjoy E-mobility @ the Asian Games with Geely,” the Group will empower the games with green, intelligent, and humanistic technologies. Geely will develop a series of full autonomous mobility solutions by 2022 to service the 19th Asian Games. Page 02 President’s Message

OLYMPIC SPIRIT SHINES BRIGHTLY IN DARK DAYS OF COVID-19

Sporting Asia is the official newsletter of the , published quarterly.

Executive Editor / Director General Husain Al-Musallam [email protected]

Director, Int’l & NOC Relations Vinod Tiwari [email protected]

Director, Asian Games Department Haider A. Farman [email protected]

Editor At the turn of the year, the world was This was the first time in history that the Jeremy Walker [email protected] looking forward to a summer of celebration Olympics had been postponed and we all – the in Tokyo. had to accept the “new-norm” and embrace

Executive Secretary the changes that needed to be made. Nayaf Sraj It would be a time for athletes from all conti- [email protected] nents to gather together and inspire us with Once again I think the Olympic family has their heroic deeds and golden achievements shown a true team spirit in adapting to the Olympic Council of Asia – and, for some, to write their name in conditions and overcoming the challenges PO Box 6706, Hawalli Zip Code 32042 Olympic history. one by one.

Telephone: +965 22274277 - 88 Then along came COVID-19 and the world The International Olympic Committee, the Fax: +965 22274280 - 90 stopped. Tokyo 2020 organising committee, the Email: [email protected] International Federations, the National Website: www.ocasia.org Our sports events were called off; our Olympic Committees and individual athletes were forced to go into lockdown athletes around the world put the disap- and train at home; and our world was pointment behind them, rolled up their devastated by the loss of human life. sleeves and began planning for Tokyo 2020 – in 2021. Today, our world is a much different place to the one at the turn of the year when every- The world will eventually return to normal – thing seemed so positive and the outlook so including our world of sport and our bright. cherished Olympic Movement.

But, even in these darkest days, the Olympic Until then, stay safe, stay strong and follow Movement has displayed all the characteris- the guidelines to protect yourself and others. tics that make it so special and so unique: Front Cover: the cooperation and understanding in At the end of this, we will meet again and The mascot triplets for the dealing with this new set of circumstances; celebrate a victory greater than anything we 19th Asian Games Hang- the team spirit in working together towards a have witnessed on the sports field. zhou 2022. collective goal; the resolute determination to emerge victorious.

The biggest sports casualty of all, of course, was the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in Tokyo which have now been put Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah back a year to the summer of 2021. President, Olympic Council of Asia

Page 03 News in Pictures

PALESTINE Olympic Committee President Gen. Jibril Rajoub praised the hard work and dedication of female staff within the local Olympic sports movement as part of International Women’s Day celebrations. “She is the mother, the sister and the daugh- ter that we cherish,” he said, while praising the effort and determination they have showed in breaking down stereotypes.

ASIAN Games 2018 MVP Rikako Ikee is back in the pool ANOC Merit Award winner Firas Mualla is the new Presi- after 406 days of treatment and recovery since being dent of the . The renowned diagnosed with leukemia in February 2019 – just six long-distance swimmer was elected as head of the months after winning six gold medals and two silver General Sports Federation and of the Syrian Olympic medals in . The 19-year-old Japanese swimmer Committee in the 10th public conference of the General posted two pictures on her Instagram account on March Sports Federation held on February 16. (Photo: The 17 to share the latest developments in her life. Times)

Page 04 News in Pictures

CHINESE Olympians joined local sports officials at the official opening of the new Athlete Training and Development Centre next to the East Asian Games Dome in , China. The local officials were: Pun Weng Kun, President of the Sports Bureau of the Macau SAR Govern- ment and Vice President of the Sports and Olym- pic Committee of Macau, China; Charles Lo, President of the Olympic Committee and OCA Executive Board member; and Carson Ma Chi Seng, head of the Youth Committee and Treasurer of the Olympic Committee.

CHINESE Olympic Committee celebrated Interna- WORLD champion PV Sindhu is one of the tional Day of Sport for Development and Peace on April 6 new ambassadors for the Badminton World Federation’s “I with a “white card” campaign as a symbol of peace. The am badminton” integrity campaign. The Indian superstar 22 elite athletes taking part included Chieh Chen and Rio 2016 silver medallist said: “You are playing the (pictured). CTOC also held a reunion for graduates of the sport for yourself. You need to be happy about it. You have International Sports Affairs Training Course on March 29. to play it very clean and that is very important to me.” The The activities included a seminar and sport climbing list also includes: Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong exercise. (China) and Chan Ho-yuen (, China).

Page 05 News in Pictures

SOUTHEAST Asia Regional Anti- Doping Organisation (SEARADO) Director General Gobinathan Nair (left) visited on Febru- ary 18 to meet with key stakehold- ers including Maj Gen Dato Aminuddin Ihasan Abidin, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, and Brunei Darussalam NOC Secre- tary General Zuraimi Abdul Sani.

TAJIKISTAN National Olympic Committee, in cooperation NOC President Rustam Shaabdurakhmonov with the Committee for Youth and Sport, held a “Sport for briefed the Advisor to the President of Uzbekistan, Abdu- All” day in a variety of sports including athletics, chess and jabbor Abdukhokhidov, on the condition and fitness levels judo on April 28. All winners were awarded diplomas and of the country’s Olympic elite athletes during quarantine medals by NOC as well as commemorative and explained the activities and exercises they were under- gifts. The aim of the event was to attract more youngsters taking to maintain their fitness. to sport and unearth new talent. (Photo: Tajikistan NOC)

ASIA Rugby General Manager Ross Mitchell retired from his post at the end of March. He was involved with rugby in Asia for over 45 years and was a popular figure on the Asian Games circuit. In 2007, Ross was elected by the Asia Rugby (ARFU at the time) Council as Honorary Secretary General for four years. In 2013, Asia Rugby appointed him as General Manager.

Page 06 News in Pictures

THE Athletes 365 Career+ Outreach Workshop organ- ised by the Athletes Commis- sion of the Olympic Committee took place at the Qatar Olympic Academy on February 24. The two-day workshop brought together 15 Team Qatar athletes who had represented the country in previous Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

IRAN is forming a women’s para powerlifting national National Olympic Committee elected a team to take part in international competitions, the new Executive Committee at the General Assembly on Times reports. Last year, the Weightlifting Federation February 26. The meeting was attended by NOC President sent female lifters to the Asian Championships and to the Timur Kulibayev and Deputy Prime Minister Yeraly Tugzha- International Weightlifting Federation World Champion- nov as well as presidents and representatives of national ships for the first time. (Photo: Tehran Times) sports federations.

SRI Lanka NOC made special arrangements for six female athletes to take their GCE O Level examinations even as they competed at the 13th South Asian Games in last December. All six won medals for their country and passed their exams with flying colours!

Page 07 IOC Women and Sport Awards 2020

SKATEISTAN WINS IOC’S WOMEN AND SPORT WORLD TROPHY

One of the biggest contributors to the success of the OCA Skateboarding Youth Camp in Nanjing, China last summer was the team from .

With one female and one male athlete, supported by an enthusi- astic and talented coach, the delegation was a credit to Afghani- stan, the OCA and the sport of skateboarding.

The athletes and coach came from a group known as Skateistan – a non-profit organisation based in Afghanistan and with branches in and South Africa.

The organisation uses skateboarding to create safe environ- ments where girls can overcome barriers and gain access to sport and education. Skateistan students have a creative, arts-based education.

(Photo: Skateistan.org) Earlier this year, the documentary Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl), which follows the progress of a group of girls at Skateistan in , was awarded the BAFTA for Best Commenting on the announcement, IOC President Thomas British Short Film (Documentary) and an Oscar for Best Docu- Bach said: “Congratulations to the six winners of this year’s mentary (Short Subject). edition of the IOC Women and Sport Awards. Each project is a lifelong commitment to advancing gender equality on and off Thanks to this remarkable success and noble aims, Skateistan the field of play. Each winner demonstrates the power of sport to was named winner of the World Trophy of the annual IOC make gender equality a reality.” Women and Sport Awards, for 2020. There were also five awards for the continents, including Asia. The six winners will receive their awards at a later date.

Founded: 2008

In: Kabul, Afghanistan

HQ: Berlin, Germany

Project reach: 2,500 children

Ages: From 5 to 17

In: Afghanistan, Cambodia, South Africa. The Afghanistan delegation at the OCA skateboarding youth camp in Nanjing, China in 2019. Coach/manager Noorzai Ibrahimi (centre) works for Skateistan in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan.

Page 08 IOC Women and Sport Awards 2020/Forbes List

OLYMPIC ARCHER KIM EARNS IOC AWARD FOR ASIA

Korea’s first archery world champion, Kim Jin-ho, has been Kim won the bronze medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics named IOC Women and Sport Award winner for Asia in 2020. and also competed in three Asian Games, climbing the podium nine times. Kim, who won the world championship for the first time in 1979 and again in 1983, was selected for her successful efforts to Since the end of her international career, the 58-year-old Kim increase female representation within national sport governing has become a professor at the Korean National Sport University. bodies. She is also a board member of the Korean Archery Association and was previously a director of the Women’s Sport Association She was also recognised for her pioneering work with Myeong- of Korea from 1990 to 1998. goong Council - an organisation she founded and which provides free archery lessons and scholarships to children, The Korean Sport and Olympic Committee presented her with particularly girls. the Korea Sports Hero award in 2018.

Kim Jin-ho (Photo: World Archery)

ASIAN GAMES CHAMP DIDAL JOINS FORBES LIST

Asian Games skateboarding champion Margielyn Didal of gold in the men’s floor exercise at the FIG World Artistic Gymnas- the has been included in Forbes’ “30 Under 30” for tics Championships in Stuttgart, Germany in 2019 and has Asia in 2020. qualified for the Tokyo Olympics. (Photo: AFP)

“Magic Margie” won the street discipline of skateboarding at Jakabaring Sports City in , in 2018 and is on course to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics, where the daredevil sport will make its Olympic debut next year.

Forbes were so impressed with the impact she has made in the Philippines, Asia and beyond that they named her in the list of 30 most influential change-makers aged under 30 in the Sport and Entertainment category for Asia.

At the age of 21, the Red Bull-sponsored Didal has plenty of years ahead of her in the sport and has allowed other youngsters to dream of what can be achieved with determination, devotion and hard work.

The list of 30 also includes her compatriot Carlos Yulo, who won Asian Games 2018 skateboarding champion Margielyn Didal.

Page 09 Inside the OCA

DOHA AND BID TO HOST 21ST ASIAN GAMES IN 2030

“This proves once again the trust and ASIAN GAMES confidence in the OCA HOST CITIES from our National Olympic Committees 1951: to stage world-class , multi-sport events on a major scale,” said 1954: Sheikh Ahmad. , Philippines 1958: “The fact that we have Tokyo, already signed Host City Contracts with 1962: Hangzhou, China for Jakarta, Indonesia the 19th Asian Games 1966: , which hosted the 15th Asian Games in 2006, boasts a scenic Corniche. in 2022 and with , Aichi- in Japan for the 20th Asian Games in 2026 1970: The Olympic Council of Asia received two strong bids to host gives our sports calendar stability Bangkok, Thailand the 21st edition of its showpiece event, the Asian Games, in 2030. and continuity for the next decade. 1974: Tehran, Iran Doha, capital of Qatar, and Riyadh, capital of , “We are in an envious position in submitted official bids before the OCA deadline of April 22, this regard and it shows once again 1978: 2020. The documents included the required letters of support that Asia is a major partner in the Bangkok, Thailand from the respective governments. global Olympic sports movement.” 1982: New Delhi, India The OCA will elect the host city of the 21st Asian Games 2030 Sheikh Ahmad added that the at the General Assembly on November 29, 2020, on the sequence of Asian Games from 1986: sidelines of the 6th in Sanya, China. 2022 to 2030 – be it Riyadh or , Korea Doha – enabled the NOCs and, in 1990: The President of the OCA, HE Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad particular, the athletes to set targets , China Al-Sabah, said he was delighted to receive two strong bids from for the short-term, mid-term and major capital cities in the Gulf region. long-term. 1994: , Japan 1998: Bangkok, Thailand 2002: , Korea 2006: Doha, Qatar 2010: , China 2014: , Korea 2018: Jakarta/Palembang, Indonesia 2022: Hangzhou, China 2026: Aichi-Nagoya, Japan Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia, is bidding to host an OCA games for the first time in history.

Page 10 Inside the OCA

OCA THANKS HAGOC FOR MASS MASK DONATION

The Olympic Council of Asia has thanked the Hangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee for the donation of 30,000 medical masks to fight the spread of COVID-19.

The OCA will distribute the masks to staff at OCA HQ, the sports community in Kuwait and to the Ministry of Health for the front- line medical workers saving lives every day.

“This is a wonderful gesture,” said the OCA Director General, Husain Al-Musallam.

“It shows the strong bond between the two organisations and between the people of China and Kuwait. We will put the masks to good use around Kuwait and we are sure they will contribute to saving lives during The OCA Director General displays the Asian Games slogan. these difficult times.”

NEW OCA VP: The OCA has appointed a new Vice President linked to the organ- isation of the 6th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) in Bangkok and Chonburi province from May 21-30, 2021. Dato Seri Chaiyapak Siriwat is Vice President of NOC Thailand, Vice President of the Asian Hockey Federation and President of the Thailand Hockey Association. (Photo: AHF)

OCA ADVISORY COMMITTEE HOLDS ONLINE MEETING

The Olympic Council of Asia conducted an online meeting The OCA Director-General, of the OCA Advisory Committee on Monday, April 27. Husain Al-Musallam, reported on the latest developments of The Chairman of the OCA Advisory Committee, IOC the multi-sport games. Member Ng Ser Miang of , began the meeting by providing the background on the decision to postpone the The meeting was attended online by: Ng Ser Miang Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games to 2021 due to COVID-19. (Chairman, Singapore), CK Wu (Chinese Taipei), Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski (Philippines), Dr Narinder Batra HRH Prince Faisal Al-Hussein, IOC Member from (India), HRH Prince Faisal Al-Hussein (Jordan), Li Lingwei and President of the , briefed (China), Zhang Hong (China), Ryu Seung Min (Korea), the members on the flexible approach of the IOC regarding Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul (Thailand), OCA Director National Olympic Committee elections due to the General Husain Al-Musallam and Chris Chan, Edmund postponement of Tokyo 2020. Lim and Antony Lee from Singapore NOC.

Page 11 OCA Games Update Hangzhou 2022

ROBOT TRIPLETS UNVEILED AS ASIAN GAMES MASCOTS

Three sporty robots will be The Chairman of the OCA the culture of the region. They of Liangzhu City dating back 5,000 years. It takes yellow, the the official mascots of the Coordination Committee, Raja represent the past, the present colour of earth and bumper harvest, as the main tone. 19th Asian Games in Hang- Randhir Singh, was very and the future. zhou, China in September impressed with the three Lianlian: Represents the West Lake and the name depicts a 2022. mascots. “The OCA would like to lake full of lush lotus leaves. Green stands for life and congratulate the Hangzhou nature. The mascots were unveiled at “The concept and the design is Asian Games Organising a high-tech 20-minute online very modern and forward- Committee for choosing such Chenchen: Represents the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. ceremony on Friday, April 3 looking while also representing dynamic and likeable mascots,” It takes its name from the iconic, arched Gongchen Bridge - which involved a video link traditional Chinese characteris- added Raja Randhir, whose a landmark structure in the Hangzhou section of the Grand between the capital Beijing tics,” said Raja Randhir. OCA Coordination Committee Canal. Blue represents science and technology. and Hangzhou in Zhejiang works alongside HAGOC in province, eastern China. “I am sure they will be very planning and preparing for the NOTE: The organising popular with people of all ages Asian Games. committee received The three mascots, known and will help promote the Asian 4,633 submissions for collectively as the “smart Games and the city of Hang- Introducing the three the mascot designs triplets”, represent the three zhou. mascots: and the robot charac- UNESCO World Heritage ters were the creations sites of Hangzhou as well as “At the same time, the fact that Congcong: The name comes of Zhang Wen and the futuristic internet capabili- they signify the three UNESCO from the Cong jade pendant – Yang Hongyi, lecturers ties of the city and the World Heritage sites of Hang- the quintessential relic from the China province. Congcong Lianlian zhou reflects the long history and unearthed from the ancient ruins Academy of Art.

Page 12 OCA Games Update Hangzhou 2022

ROBOT TRIPLETS UNVEILED AS ASIAN GAMES MASCOTS

the culture of the region. They of Liangzhu City dating back 5,000 years. It takes yellow, the represent the past, the present colour of earth and bumper harvest, as the main tone. and the future. Lianlian: Represents the West Lake and the name depicts a “The OCA would like to lake full of lush lotus leaves. Green stands for life and congratulate the Hangzhou nature. Asian Games Organising Committee for choosing such Chenchen: Represents the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. dynamic and likeable mascots,” It takes its name from the iconic, arched Gongchen Bridge - added Raja Randhir, whose a landmark structure in the Hangzhou section of the Grand OCA Coordination Committee Canal. Blue represents science and technology. works alongside HAGOC in planning and preparing for the NOTE: The organising Asian Games. committee received 4,633 submissions for Introducing the three the mascot designs mascots: and the robot charac- ters were the creations Congcong: The name comes of Zhang Wen and from the Cong jade pendant – Yang Hongyi, lecturers the quintessential relic from the China Chenchen unearthed from the ancient ruins Academy of Art.

Page 13 OCA Games Update Hangzhou 2022

85 PER CENT OF ASIAN GAMES VENUES TO BE FINISHED THIS YEAR

Construction of 42 of the 58 competition venues and athlete A total of 53 competition venues, five Asian Games villages and villages for the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou is scheduled to 31 training venues are needed for the Asian Games in Septem- be completed by the end of this year, Xinhua News reports. ber 2022.

Forty of them were already under construction in 2019 and work on the remaining competition venues will begin this year.

"Our target is to complete the construction of 42 competition venues and auxiliary facilities by the end of this year, which accounts for more than 85 percent of the total construction work," the organ- ising committee said.

All competition venues are expected to be completed by March 2021 – giving organisers plenty of time for fixtures and fittings and for the all-important test events in the ensuing 18 months.

Hangzhou 2022 held a meeting on April 29 to discuss the criteria for joining the official hotel programme for the 19th Asian Games. Organis- ers are looking to sign up 70 hotels to provide services for the OCA, technical officials, athletes The design of the Big Lotus – main stadium for the 19th Asian Games. and media.

Page 14 OCA Games Update SANYA 2020

ASIAN BEACH GAMES ORGANISERS DESIGNATE SPORTS VENUES

SPORTS PROGRAMME

17 sports 19 disciplines 93 events

1: Aquathlon (3 events)

2: Aquatics:

Open Water (4)

Water Polo (2)

An aerial view of at Sanya Bay. (Photo: Wei Wu/Hainan Daily) 3: Beach Athletics (12)

4: Powerboat (8) The organising committee of the 6th Asian  A Torch Relay Working Beach Games in Sanya, Hainan province of China, Conference was held in Haikou 5: Dragon Boat (9) has finalised the competition venues for the sand and attended by three key depart- and sea sports festival. ments of Hainan Province - the 6: 3x3 (2) Department of Tourism, Culture, SABGOC has created four venue clusters to host Radio, Television and Sport, the the 17 sports, 19 disciplines and 93 events of the Department of Finance and the 7: Sport Climbing (4) 6th ABG, which will run from November 28 to Public Security Department - as December 6, 2020. well as representatives of the 12 8: Beach Handball (2) coastal cities and counties in The four venue clusters, with sports, are: Haikou, Sanya, Qionghai and 9: Beach Soccer (2) Wanning. Tianya (9 sports/10 disciplines): Beach , 10: Beach Volleyball (2) Beach Handball, Powerboat, Beach Woodball,  The OCA is hoping to Aquathlon, Sailing, Sport Climbing, Aquatics (open hold the ABG Chefs de Mission 11: Woodball (8) water and ) and Dragon Boat. Seminar in Sanya, Hainan Island, on July 20. If this is not 12: Martial Arts: Jiyang (5 sports/6 disciplines): Basketball 3x3, possible, a remote CDM Beach Soccer, Beach Kabaddi, Teqball and Martial Seminar will be conducted Arts (Beach and Jujisu). online. Beach Wrestling (7)

Haitang (2 sports): Beach Athletics and Surfing.  Sanya 2020 revealed Jujitsu (4) the 19 sports pictograms and Yazhou (1 sport): Powered Paragliding. official posters on May 8. 13: Beach Kabaddi (2)

14: Surfing (6)

15: Sailing (10)

16: Teqball (3)

17: Powered Paragliding (3)

Page 15 OCA Games Update

OCA CONFIRMS DATES, SPORTS FOR 6TH AIMAG 2021

The OCA signed a host city contract with NOC Thailand on April 23 for Bangkok and Chonburi province to host the 6th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) next year.

It was a virtual signing ceremony conducted online between the Sports Authority of Thailand HQ in Bangkok and the OCA HQ in Kuwait.

The two main signatories were the OCA President, HE Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, and the President of NOC Thailand, Deputy Prime Minister Gen. Prawit Wongsuwon.

The dates have been confirmed as May 21 – 30, The online signing ceremony of the host city contract for the 6th AIMAG. 2021. 3rd AYG Shantou 2021 The 28 medal sports are: Indoor Athletics, Cue Sports, Bowling, Dance Sport, Chess, Futsal (men and women), Roller The OCA has announced the sports programme for the 3rd Sports/Sport Climbing, Short Course Swimming (25m), Muay, in Shantou, Guangdong province, from Jujitsu, BMX , Hoop Takraw/Sepak Takraw, Kurash, November 20-28, 2021. Floorball, Netball, Taekwondo, Indoor Hockey, Karate, E-Sports, Badminton, Pencak Silat, Cheer Leading, Sambo, The 18 sports for AYG 3 are: 1, Athletics; 2, Aquatics Indoor Rowing, Indoor Volleyball (men and women), Basketball (Swimming, and Water Polo); 3, Badminton; 4, Basket- 3x3 (men and women), Traditional Wrestling, Kickboxing. ball (3x3); 5, Beach Volleyball; 6, Dragon Boat Racing; 7, Football; 8, Gymnastics; 9, Golf; 10, Handball; 11, Hip Hop The two demonstration sports are: Teqball, Air Sport (Indoor Dance; 12, Sport Climbing; 13, Rugby Sevens; 14, Surfing; 15, Drone). ; 16, Taekwondo; 17, Wind Surfing; 18, Wushu.

AICHI-NAGOYA 2026 UNVEIL EMBLEM FOR 20TH ASIAN GAMES

The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organising Committee AINAGOC said the smooth curves represented the athleticism of (AINAGOC) revealed the official emblem for the 20th Asian sport; purple represents the iris – prefectural flower of Aichi; gold Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 on March 23. describes the “kinshachi” - the golden tiger-headed dolphins on the roof of Nagoya Castle; and green signifies the environment. AINAGOC asked the public for emblem designs in the autumn The emblem also contains the letter A for Asia and Aichi and the of 2019 and received 884 proposals from all over Japan. N for Nagoya.

The design created by Hiroshi Miyashita - Associate Professor of the Department of Design, Faculty of Architecture and Design, Aichi Sangyo University - was examined thoroughly by the emblem selection panel and finalised at the AINAGOC Execu- tive Board meeting held on the same day of its release.

Hideaki Ohmura, President of AINAGOC and Governor of , Takashi Kawamura, Deputy President of AINAGOC and Mayor of Nagoya, and Tsuyoshi Fukui, Vice President of AINAGOC and Secretary General of the Japanese Olympic Committee, attended the EB meeting and emblem launch.

Double Olympic judo champion and Busan Asian Games 2002 gold medal-winner Ayumi Tanimoto from Aichi prefecture was also in attendance. The emblem for the 20th Asian Games is unveiled.

Page 16 Asia/Oceania Olympic Boxing Qualifying Tournament

JORDAN STEPS IN TO HOST WORLD-CLASS BOXING QUALIFIER FOR TOKYO 2020 OLYMPIC GAMES

Jordan’s hosting of the Asia/Oceania boxing qualifying tourna- “This tournament proved the great capability of Jordan in ment for the Tokyo Olympics was a success from start to finish. hosting major sports events and this was due to a combination of youth and experience, enthusiasm and teamwork. I would Stepping in at short notice after the original host city, Wuhan in also like to praise the role of the large number of volunteers. It China, was unable to organise the event on the intended dates created a beautiful image of our country.” of February 3-14, Jordan put on a top-class spectacle in the capital from March 3-11. Majali was proud of the support the organising committee received, from corporate sponsors to the spectators in the A total of 221 boxers from 35 countries and regions in Asia and stands of the impressive Prince Hamzeh Hall who cheered five Oceania competed in 13 categories – eight for men and five for local boxers all the way to Tokyo. women. There were a total of 63 places available at the Tokyo Olympics through this qualifier and the fact that host country “The success of this tournament proved that, with collaboration Jordan claimed five of them added to the excitement. and cooperation from all parties, any event can be held at the highest level of professionalism,” he added, in reference to the The Secretary General of the Jordan Olympic Committee, tight 45-day timeline from being appointed host city to the Nasser Majali, said: “We would like to thank everyone who opening day of competition. contributed to the successful hosting of this huge event that created wonderful moments and memories for sport in Jordan.

63 HEROES

The 63 qualifying places were filled by:

9: Kazakhstan and India 7: Uzbekistan 6: China 5: Jordan and 4: Chinese Taipei and Thailand 3: Japan 2: , Philippines, Iran and Tajikistan 1: New Zealand, and

SEE ALSO

Pages 18 and 19: Photo Gallery. Page 20: HRH Prince Faisal Al-Hussein, President of the Jordan Olympic Committee, The 63 boxers who qualified attends the victory ceremony of Jordan’s Zeyad Ishaish, who won gold in the welterweight (69kg) division. for Tokyo.

Page 17 Asia/Oceania Olympic Boxing Qualifying Tournament

Feeling champion: That's China's Chang Yuan after defeating Tsukimi Namiki of Japan in the women's flyweight final.

The Philippines' Eumir Marcial (right) gets the better of Kazakh- Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yu-ting (left) defeats Sena Irie of stan's in the men's final. Japan in the women’s featherweight final.

Zakir Safiullin (Kazakhstan) and Elnur Abduraimov (Uzbekistan) are locked in a battle.

Page 18 Asia/Oceania Olympic Boxing Qualifying Tournament

A victory salute from Uzbekistan’s Tursunoy Rakhimova India’s Simranjit Kaur Baatth battles Korea’s Oh Yeon-ji. after winning a box-off.

Mongolia’s Byamba-Erdene Otgonbaatar takes on Seyedshahin Mousavi of Iran.

Thailand’s Chatchai-Decha Butdee fights Korea’s Ham Sang-myeong.

Page 19 Asia/Oceania Olympic Boxing Qualifying Tournament

OCA CONGRATULATES 63 TOKYO-BOUND BOXERS FROM ASIA/OCEANIA OQT

Heavyweight (91 kg) – 4 MEN  Vassiliy Levit (KAZ)  David Nyika (NZL) Flyweight (52 kg) – 6  Hussein Ishaish (JOR)  Hu Jianguan (CHN)  Sanjar Tursunov (UZB)  Thitisan Panmot (THA)  Amit Panghal (IND) Super heavyweight (+91 kg) – 4  Shakhobidin Zoirov (UZB)  Bakhodir Jalolov (UZB)  Alex Winwood (AUS)  Justis Huni (AUS)  Saken Bibossinov (KAZ)  Satish Kumar (IND)  Kamshybek Kunkabayev (KAZ) Featherweight (57 kg) – 6  Mirazizbek Mirzakhalilov (UZB)  Mohammad Al-Wadi (JOR)  Serik Temirzhanov (KAZ) WOMEN  Nguyen Van Duong (VIE)  Danial Shahbakhsh (IRI) Flyweight (51 kg) – 6  Chatchai Butdee (THA)  Chang Yuan (CHN)  Tsukimi Namiki (JPN) (63 kg) – 6  (IND)  Elnur Abduraimov (UZB)  Huang Hsiao-wen (TPE)  Zakir Safiullin (KAZ)  Irish Magno (PHI)  Baatarsükhiin Chinzorig (MGL)  Tursunoy Rakhimova (UZB)  Obada Al-Kasbeh (JOR)  Manish Kaushik (IND) Featherweight (57 kg) – 4  Bakhodur Usmonov (TJK)  Lin Yu-ting (TPE)  Sena Irie (JPN) Welterweight (69 kg) – 5  Skye Nicolson (AUS)  Zeyad Ishaish (JOR)  Im Ae-ji (KOR)  Vikas Krishan Yadav (IND)  Bobo-Usmon Baturov (UZB) Lightweight (60 kg) – 4  Ablaikhan Zhussupov (KAZ)  Oh Yeon-ji (KOR)  Sewon Okazawa (JPN)  Simranjit Kaur (IND)  Sudaporn Seesondee (THA) Middleweight (75 kg) – 5  Wu Shih-yi (TPE)  Eumir Marcial (PHI)  Abilkhan Amankul (KAZ) Welterweight (69 kg) – 4  Ashish Kumar (IND)  Gu Hong (CHN)  Tuohetaerbieke Tanglatihan (CHN)  Chen Nien-chin (TPE)  Shahin Mousavi (IRI)  Lovlina Borgohain (IND)  Baison Manikon (THA) Light heavyweight (81 kg) – 5  Bekzad Nurdauletov (KAZ) Middleweight (75 kg) – 4  Paulo Aokuso (AUS)  Li Qian (CHN)  Odai Al-Hindawi (JOR)  Caitlin Parker (AUS)  Chen Daxiang (CHN)  Pooja Rani (IND)  Shabbos Negmatulloev (TJK)  Nadezhda Ryabets (KAZ)

Page 20 Road to Tokyo

SYRIA’S HEND ZAZA QUALIFIES FOR TOKYO – AT 11 YEARS OLD!

Syrian table tennis player Hend Zaza made headlines around At seven, Zaza joined her brother when he attended the West the world when she qualified for Tokyo 2020 at the tender age Asia Hopes Week and Challenge in Qatar in 2016 and her of 11. talent was recognised immediately.

The ping-pong prodigy won the Olympic qualification tourna- Today at home in Hama, Zaza practises six days a week for ment for West Asia held in Amman, Jordan on February 26 to three hours a day. Conditions are far from perfect in a hall with become the youngest table tennis player in history to qualify for four relatively old tables, a concrete floor and frequent power an Olympic Games. outages that make training dependent on sunlight.

“It’s a gift to my country Syria, my parents and all my friends,” The Olympic Games must wait another year to see this table she said, after beating Mariana Sahakian of , 31 years tennis talent in Tokyo – but it will be well worth the wait. her senior, in the final.

Born in 2009 in Hama, Zaza started playing table tennis in 2014. Her home city was heavily affected by terrorism and war, and table tennis offered respite from daily hardships for Zaza and her brothers.

Hend Zaza cries tears of joy after qualifying for Tokyo. Hend Zaza celebrates her Olympic Games qualification along- (Photo: Jordan Olympic Committee) side Princess Zeina Rashid of Jordan (Photo: Jordan NOC)

SAUDI Arabia’s Ali Alkhadrawi won the men’s qualifier in Amman to book his ticket to Tokyo.

The 22-year-old left-hander defeated Lebanon’s Dauud Cheiab 4-1 (11-7, 12-10, 6-11, 11-4, 11-8) in the final.

(Photo: Deepak Malik/SPORTZPICS).

Page 21 Olympic Movement in Asia – working together

OCA PROUD OF ASIAN ATHLETES AT TIME OF CRISIS

The Director General of the OCA, Husain Al-Musallam, has Mr. Al-Musallam also praised the selfless efforts of athletes to spoken of his pride regarding the reaction of Asia’s athletes to raise money for the needy due to the problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and enforced community lockdowns. lockdown in many countries.

“I would like to congratulate our National Olympic Committees “It has been very moving to see athletes raising money for and our athletes for the way they have rallied round and shown a people less fortunate than themselves. This has involved true Olympic spirit in these difficult times,” said Mr. Al-Musallam. athletes giving up prize money or their own monthly allow- ances to buy food packages for the needy or contributing to a “I have seen many examples of NOCs launching their own central fund. social media campaigns to highlight their athletes in training at home, sharing their experiences and encouraging members of “It is heartwarming to see how our athletes and the Olympic the public to join them in their exercise routines and activities. movement have embraced this challenge and it makes me very proud. I would like to thank them and congratulate them for “This has created a special bond between the athletes and the their initiatives, creativity and big hearts.” public and has raised spirits around Asia.”

SINGAPORE’S Rio 2016 PALESTINE Olympic Committee announced Olympic gold medallist a virtual taekwondo championship organ- Joseph Schooling took to ised by World Taekwondo and Palestine social media to urge people Taekwondo. Held from May 15-20, the to stay at home and avoid the spread of COVID-19. competition was in five age categories and required athletes to produce a 10-second The 24-year-old 100m action video of their best combination butterfly champion posted in moves, to be assessed by six international his Facebook account: “Stay judges. The five categories were kids, cadet, Home and stay safe every- junior, senior and masters. one. By working together and being socially respon- sible, we can beat this virus.”

BAHRAIN Olympic Committee asked gold medal-winners to add a hashtag to their photo saying “Protect yourself to bring back the golden era” in a campaign aimed at alerting athletes, sports fans and the public to stay safe during the pandemic and to dream of future success. (Photo: BOC)

Page 22 Olympic Movement in Asia – working together

BANGLADESH national football team defender Topu Barman (right) is bearing the cost of two weeks’ food for the families of 19 female footballers at the Narayanganj Promila Football Academy in due to the loss of income in the pandemic. (Photo: © Dhaka Tribune)

ASIAN Games 2018 weightlifting champion Hidilyn Diaz raised over 150,000 Peso (USD 3,000) from donations by holding an online FOLLOWING on from the successful SEA Games motto weightlifting clinic and seminar. The “We Win As One” last year, the Philippines established a donations enabled her to provide series of “We Heal As One” medical centres to accommo- relief food packages for 400 families date COVID-19 patients and reduce the spread of the in her hometown of Zamboanga City virus. One such venue was the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in and other areas of the Philippines. the famous Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. (Photo: PIA)

NEPALESE athletes from a wide variety of sports, including MONGOLIAN Boxing Federation President Dashdem- Olympians and 13th South Asian Games champions, berel Bat-Erdene has been supporting teachers, athletes, extended a helping hand to feed the poor affected by the coaches and colleagues, despite being in self-quarantine nationwide lockdown. The donations included sacks of in . The boxing federation is part of a charity rice, salt, cooking oil, sugar, tea, noodles, snacks and programme and has distributed protective garments, face shoes. (Photo: The Himalayan Times). masks and other important equipment. (ASBC)

Page 23 Olympic Movement in Asia – working together

HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee, held a virtual meet- ing with presidents of the national sports federations to discuss the challenges during the COVID-19 crisis. HRH Prince Abdulaziz said the SAOC planned to inaugurate an electronic platform to provide a unified system of commu- nication with all stakeholders and create a new-normal working environment.

UNDER the direc- TEAM Kazakhstan athletes tion of Dr. Nasser recorded a moving video Nassiri, President of message to honour the front- the World Associa- line workers, describing medi- tion of Kickboxing cal staff as the real heroes and Organisations the true champions of the (WAKO) Iran and world as they put their own the Asian Kickbox- lives on the line to save ing Confederation, patients: #TeamKZwithYOU. WAKO Iran held an online kickboxing competition. The UZBEKISTAN Olympic Commit- Corona Fighting tee President Rustam Shaabdu- Cup was contested rakhmonov thanked the IOC, from home in four ANOC and OCA for their musical forms (soft “encouragement and support” style and hard style of NOCs during the pandemic with weapons and and highlighted the projects without weapons) at being undertaken by Uzbek cadet, youth and athletes. These include lockdown adult levels. Over training programmes and virtual 100 kickboxing relays and challenges to main- enthusiasts from 12 tain a competitive spirit. (Photo: provinces took part. www.olympic.uz)

IRANIAN weightlifter Poopak Bastami has made headlines around the world by forsaking her training to take her place on the front line in the fight against COVID-19. Iran’s first female weightlifter at the Asian Women’s Cham- pionship - in China in 2019 - has worked as a nurse for seven years and took up weightlifting during her spare time as a student. Source: ifpnews.com

JAPANESE athletes from summer and winter sports displayed true team spirit in responding to a call by the Japanese Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission to support local society. The three key messages from the athletes to the public were: Stay healthy, stay home and admiration and gratitude for the front-line workers.

Page 24 Olympic Movement in Asia – working together

TOKYO-bound Indian boxer Lovlina Borgohain gave financial assistance to Assam Arogya Nidhi, an Indian Government initiative for those with life-threatening diseases. The charity helps people cover expenses for diagnosis, treatment and medicine. Borgohain, 22, also arranged for 250 packets of fruit, vegetables and other food to be sent to people in her home region in Barpathar.

CHINESE Taipei Olympic Committee supported the IOC’s Stay Strong social media campaign by inviting athletes to frame a Facebook picture with a message of support “(ting jhu)” to overcome the challenges facing the world. Here is four-time Olympic shooter Lin Yi-Chun.

INDIAN track star Hima Das saluted the “real heroes OCA Culture Committee Chair Khunying Patama risking their lives for our safety” by posting a message of Leeswadtrakul, in her role as Chairperson and Executive support and gratitude under the hashtag “India Fights Producer of the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra, showed Corona” on her Facebook page. She also contributed one her support for the front-line COVID-19 fighters by organis- month’s salary to the Assam Government to safeguard the ing an online musical performance of the well-loved Thai health of the people. song “Samakkhi Chumnum” to the tune of Auld Lang Syne.

Page 25 Women in Sport

AIPS ASIA LAUNCHES WOMEN IN SPORT MAGAZINE

The Asia branch of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) has launched a new magazine to promote and honour the women in sport in Asia.

Entitled “Women in Sports”, the publication is a joint initiative of AIPS Asia and the Chinese Taipei Sports Journalist Federation.

The magazine not only highlights prominent women in sport around the continent, from athletes to administrators to leaders, it also focuses on the media work of female journalists and photographers within the sports industry in Asia.

The President of AIPS Asia, Sattam Alsehali, introduces the new The OCA column in the new magazine. magazine and explains the reasons for its publication.

As well as reports and photos from around the region, including Packed with interesting articles and top-quality photos, accompa- Iran, , Japan, India, Mongolia and Saudi Arabia, there nied by pride, passion and enthusiasm throughout, Women in is also a column by the Olympic Council of Asia focusing on the Sports will further empower the women’s sports movement in efforts being made by the OCA to raise the profile of women’s Asia and beyond. sport on and off the field of play.

FIRST WOMEN’S PRO GOLF EVENT IN SAUDI ARABIA MOVED TO OCTOBER

The inaugural Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented The October tournament will be a watershed moment for the by Public Investment Fund, the first female professional golf Kingdom and will mark the first time that professional female tournament to be played in Saudi Arabia, has been rearranged golfers have played there competitively, breaking new ground in for October 8-11. The original dates were in March. Saudi Arabia’s ongoing transformation as part of Vision 2030. (Photo: Ladies European Tour) A new date for the USD 1 million tournament at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in Al Murooj, King Abdullah Economic City, was agreed by Golf Saudi and the Ladies European Tour.

His Excellency Yasir O. Al-Rumayyan, Chairman of the Saudi Golf Federation and Golf Saudi, said: “We will, of course, continue to work closely with health authorities both domesti- cally and across the region in the interim but are hopeful that we will be able to bring this momentous occasion to Saudi Arabia in six months’ time.”

KAZAKHSTAN’S Yulia Galysheva has been signed on as a Red Bull athlete. The 27-year-old freestyle skier won a bronze medal in moguls at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics and was world champion in 2019. “I am very proud to be invited to join this prestigious programme,” she said. (Photo: @Kazakhstan NOC) Women's professional golf is coming to Saudi Arabia.

Page 26 Women in Sport

OLYMPIAN HO APPOINTED FISA CONTINENTAL REP FOR ASIA

The World Rowing Federation (FISA) has appointed Fay Ho Kim-fai as FISA continen- tal representative for Asia.

In a news release, the Hong Kong, China Rowing Association said Ho had succeeded China’s Liu Aijie, who stepped down from the role last December.

Continental reps represent FISA in their respective continents and are full members of the FISA Council.

Fay represented Hong Kong at the Olympic Games in both canoeing and rowing and was elected as the first female Vice President of the Asian Rowing Federation (ARF) in 2018.

This new appointment will lead to closer cooperation between FISA and the ARF and further demonstrates the standing of Hong Kong rowing in the world. (Photo: Hong Fay Ho Kim-fai. Kong, China Rowing Association)

OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS RECEIVE CHINA’S YOUTH AWARD

China's women's volleyball team spiker Zhu Ting was among skating champion Zhang Hong. Aged 32, Zhang is also one of 60 people to receive China's Youth Award on April 28 ahead of the youngest members of the International Olympic Committee. China's Youth Day on May 4. The award, jointly presented by the All-China Youth Federation Another awardee from sport was China’s first-ever Olympic speed and Chinese Communist Youth League, is the highest honour for youths from all walks of life and all corners of the country.

China's captain said she received the award on behalf of the team, claiming the award was also a major encouragement to her.

"Our coach Lang Ping always reminds me that we are a team; everyone cannot make progress without the cultivation of the group, no matter who she is," Zhu told Xinhua News.

The 1.95-metre Zhu, 25, led China to a third Olympic gold at Rio 2016.

Monday, May 4 marked the 101st anniversary of the May 4 Movement, a patriotic campaign that started from universities and was launched in 1919 by young Chinese to fight imperial- Zhu Ting attacks the Dutch wall of defenders during the ism and feudalism. May 4 was later established as Youth Day in women’s volleyball semi-final at Rio 2016. (Photo: VCG) 1949 by the Chinese government.

MALAYSIA'S three-time Olympic diver and two-time Olympic medallist Pandelela Rinong provides a fascinating – and amus- ing – insight into her life and career on a special Olympic Channel Podcast. Listen to her story on: Olympic Channel Podcast: Pandelela - the famous Malaysian diver in isolation - Olympic News.

(Photo: Getty Images)

Page 27 News in Brief

New dates for Tokyo 2020 IOC counts the cost Following the postponement of Tokyo 2020 on March The International Olympic Committee anticipates that 24, the IOC announced new dates on March 30 for it will have to bear costs of up to USD 800 million the Olympic and Paralympic Games. They are: due to the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics, the IOC Executive Board announced on May 14. Olympic Games: July 23 to August 8, 2021.

This figure is made of USD 650 million for the organ- Paralympic Games: August 24 to September 5, 2021. isation of the Games in 2021 and an aid package of USD 150 million for the Olympic Movement, includ- ing the International Federations, National Olympic Committees and IOC-recognised organisations.

IOC President Thomas Bach said: “The Olympic Movement is facing an unprecedented challenge. We shall all need to make sacrifices and compromises. Extraordinary circumstances call for extraordinary measures.”

Jordan, Qatar join World Rugby Women's football OQT World Rugby announced on May 14 that Jordan and Qatar had been The women's football quali- welcomed as associate members of the global governing body. Along fying play-off for Tokyo with , this takes the number of member rugby nations to 127.

2020 between China and Jordan and Qatar have been making big strides in Asia. Qatar’s first Korea will be played over rugby club was established in 1974 with international representation two legs on February 19 and coming in 2006. Jordan has a thriving women’s game and the men’s 24, 2021, the Asian team made their international 15s debut in 2010. Football Confederation announced on May 27. World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said the three new associate members had displayed “an exciting rugby appetite and potential”. China and Korea will be Olympic qualifying deadline seeking to join Japan (men World Athletics back on track and women), Australia (men The new qualification period dead- and women), men’s AFC The World Athletics calendar is back on line for the Tokyo Olympics is June U23 Championship winners track after the upheaval caused by the 29, 2021. International Federations Korea and runners-up Saudi coronavirus pandemic. can define their own deadlines Arabia as Asia’s representa- should these be prior to this date. tives at the Tokyo Olympic The World Athletics Indoor Champion- Games. ships will now take place from March Some 57 per cent of qualification 19-21, 2021 at Nanjing, China. places have been obtained already and a further 5,000 athlete quota The World Athletics Championships will places have still to be assigned. be held the following year, from July 15-24, 2022, at Eugene, Oregon in the United  The revised final sport States. The original dates were August entries deadline has been set at July 6-15, 2021. 5, 2021.

Page 28 News in Brief

Rio 2016 champ Tontowi retires ANOC GA Seoul 2020 postponed Indonesia’s Rio 2016 Olympic Games mixed doubles badminton champion Tontowi This year’s ANOC General Assembly Ahmad announced his retirement from the and Gala Awards, due to be held in sport on May 18. Seoul on November 25-26, has been postponed to 2021 on dates to “This is the time to say goodbye to something be determined, ANOC announced I’ve devoted over half my life to and that has on May 18. made my life more colourful,” Tontowi, 32, said. The two-day event was part of the centenary celebrations of the Olympic movement in Korea dating back to the “I was hoping to quit at the top of the podium establishment of the Chosun Sports Council on July 13, but this is life; we cannot get everything we 1920. want. I’m proud of what I have achieved and very grateful to have been in this position.” The ANOC Executive Council has voted to postpone the His golden partner in Rio, , next edition of the ANOC World Beach Games to 2023 retired in 2019. in order to alleviate pressure on the NOCs.

ANOC had intended on hosting the second edition of the ANOC World Beach Games in 2021 following the great success of the inaugural event in Qatar last October.

With NOCs busy preparing for the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021 and the Olympic Winter Games in Beijing in 2022, ANOC decided to delay their own showpiece event to 2023.

FINA fixes Fukuoka schedule in 2022

FINA announced on May 4 that the FINA World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan - initially scheduled for the summer of 2021 - will OCM aids 30 NSAs now take place from May 13-29, 2022.

The Olympic Council of Malaysia will In addition, the FINA World Masters Championships will take place provide grants to 23 ordinary members across the island of Kyushu in Japan from May 31-June 9, 2022. and seven affiliate members to boost their financial situation during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. OS increases funding by 25.3 million USD

The total grant awarded to the 30 National Olympic Solidarity moved swiftly to extend funding for athletes and Sports Associations is RM 265,000 National Olympic Committees through to the new Olympic Games (61,000 USD), with a maximum of RM dates in 2021. 10,000 (2,300 USD) per NSA. An extra 15 million USD was provided to support more than 1,600 athletes from 185 NOCs. The three categories are: Olympic scholar- ships for athletes, team support grants and refugee athlete support for the 48 refugees in the programme.

A further 10.3 million USD was approved for IOC subsidies for the participation of NOCs in the Olympic Games, taking the total in this category to 57 million USD.

Page 29 Obituary

OCA PAYS TRIBUTE TO FORMER VP SHEIKH ISA

The President of the OCA, HE Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, expressed his deepest condolences to the Royal Family in and to the Bahrain Olympic Committee on the passing of Sheikh Isa bin Rashid Al-Khalifa. He was 81 years old.

Sheikh Ahmad said he had worked with Sheikh Isa for several years and that he would miss his wisdom and knowledge of sport.

Sheikh Isa was associated with the OCA for almost two decades and was Vice President (West Asia) of the OCA for over 10 years.

“Sheikh Isa made a major contribution to the sports movement over a number of years, not only in Bahrain and the Gulf region but also in Asia and the world,” said Sheikh Ahmad.

“He was an important and respected member of the OCA and served the interests of the NOCs in West Asia with great commit- Sheikh Isa was Honorary President of the BOC. ment and leadership.”

HONG KONG SPORTS ICON A. DE O. SALES

The Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, after the handover of sovereignty from Britain to China in 1997. China reported the passing of Honorary Life President Arnaldo de Oliveira “Sonny” Sales on March 6. He was 100 years old.

As a founding member of the Federation, Mr. Sales devoted over half a century to the Olympic movement in Hong Kong as Honorary Secretary General, Chairman, President and Honorary Life President.

“Under his presidency from 1967 to 1998, Hong Kong athletes gradually gained recognition in many international multi-sports Games such as the , Olympic Games and Asian Games,” the Federation said in a statement.

The Federation added that the efforts and vision of Mr. Sales had helped preserve the sporting identity of Hong Kong, China A. de O. “Sonny” Sales. (Photo: South China Morning Post)

LAOS NOC VICE PRESIDENT

A former Vice President and Secre- 1995, Vice President from 2005 to 2009 and Vice President tary General of NOC , Mr. and Secretary General from 2009 to 2012. He was Chef de Souvannarath Saignavong, died on Mission for the Lao delegation at the 2004 Athens Olympics. May 7. He was 87. He was also an honorary life member of the South East Asian Regarded as a dedicated sports Games Federation and Secretary General of the 25th SEA leader, Mr. Saignavong was Secretary Games Vientiane 2009 Organising Committee from 2007 General of NOC Laos from 1980 to to 2009.

Page 30 Obituary

ANNABEL PENNEFATHER – SINGAPORE SPORTS ICON

The Olympic movement in Singapore was devastated by the Annabel served as Chef de Mission at the 2004 Olympics, the loss of sports icon and lawyer Annabel Pennefather on April 27. Commonwealth Games in 2002 and 2010, the 2006 Asian She was 72. Games and the 2013 SEA Games.

Ms Pennefather was a former Vice President of the Singapore National Olympic Council, President of the Singapore Hockey Federation from 2004 to 2012 and a consultant in sports law.

A national hockey player for 15 years, she became the first woman to be elected Vice President of Singapore NOC in 2002, a position she held until she stepped down in 2018.

Singapore NOC President Tan Chuan-Jin said: “Annabel was one of the pioneer women sports administrators in Singapore and was very passionate in championing the Olympic movement and women in sports. Her contribution was not limited to Singa- pore. We are grateful for all that she has poured in, and will miss Annabel Pennefather. her greatly.”

BOB HASAN: INDONESIAN ATHLETICS PATRON

Long-serving athletics patron, business tycoon and former edge, professionalism and passion earned him recognition not government minister Mohamad “Bob” Hasan died in Jakarta only in Indonesia but also in Asia and the international scene.” on March 31. He was 89.

He was a former Vice President of the OCA, fourth President of the Asian Athletics Association from 1991 to 2000 and IAAF Council Member from 1995 to 1999.

The President of the Asian Athletics Association, Dahlan Alhamad, said: “Being the Indonesian Athletics Federation (PASI) Chief, Bob Hasan dedicated himself to the world of Track and Field for more than 40 years. During his term in office he cared for the underprivileged Federations in terms of expenses.

“Indonesia and the Asian Athletics fraternity will always remember him for his jovial disposition, kindness and generosity. His knowl- Bob Hasan. (Photo: © Jakarta Post/Wienda Parwitasari)

SALVADOR ‘BUDDY’ ANDRADA – ASIAN TENNIS

The Asian Tennis Federa- administrator and had held various distinguished posts in tion paid tribute to a former sports during his time,” the ATF said. “He was a greatly ATF President, Col. Salvador admired and loved personality.” “Buddy” Andrada, who died in the Philippines on April 8. He was also a former President of the Philippine Tennis Association, former Vice President of the Philippine Olympic “Col Salvador Andrada was Committee and former Commissioner of the Philippine an accomplished sports Sports Commission. Salvador ‘Buddy’ Andrada.

Page 31 Obituary

LUKMAN NIODE – SWIMMING HERO FROM INDONESIA

Olympic swimmer and Indonesian sports official Lukman Niode died from COVID-19 on April 17. He was 56.

Lukman won nine individual gold medals at the SEA Games and represented Indonesia at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

On retiring from the sport he became an official at the National Sports Council (KONI) and Secretary General of the Indonesian Olympians Association.

Tributes were paid by the World Olympians Association and former swim team members at Golden West College in Hunting- ton Beach, California. Lukman Niode (Photo: Courtesy Ricard Sam Bera)

BEKET MAKHMUTOV - KAZAKHSTAN

A prominent figure in boxing and judo in Central Asia and the world, Beket Makhmutov passed away on April 14. He was 81.

The Asian Boxing Confederation and the International Judo Federation led tributes to the Vice President of Kazakhstan NOC who had served terms as president of both the boxing federation (1993-1999) and judo federation in his home country.

He was Vice President of boxing’s world governing body AIBA from 1996 to 2006. Beket Makhmutov

RAJA M. WICKRAMASINGHE

Sri Lanka NOC reported the passing of a former NOC Secretary-General, Wing Commander Raja M. Wickra- masinghe, on March 27. He was 83.

He was Secretary-General of the NOC from 1974 to 1975 and from 1978 to 1979 as well as a national discus champion. C. S. FERNANDO

Sri Lanka NOC on May 15 announced the passing of former Secretary-General Colonel C. S. Fernando. He was 87.

Fernando was the first person to represent Ceylon, as it was then known, in three sports – athletics, football and rugby – and is regarded as one of the greatest all-round sportsmen in Sri Lanka’s history.

Known by his initials “CS”, Fernando was Secretary- General of the NOC from 1980 to 1983. He also held the position of general secretary of the national federa- tions in athletics, football and rugby.

Page 32 Obituary

SABURO MATSUSHITA - JUDO ‘SENSEI’

Former Japanese Olympic Committee Executive Board member and judo “sensei” (teacher) Saburo Matsushita died of pneumonia caused by the coronavirus on April 19. He was 84.

The International Judo Federation said Matsushita-sensei had been very influential in the development of judo at the renowned Kodokan Institute in Tokyo – regarded as the spiritual home of judo in Japan.

In the early ‘60s, Matsushita-sensei taught judo in Great Britain. In 2000 he was appointed Senior Managing Director of the All Japan Judo Federation. Saburo Matsushita (Photo: IJF)

BALBIR SINGH KULLAR DANIEL GEVARGIZNEJAD ASIAN GAMES HOCKEY CHAMP IRANIAN WEIGHTLIFTER

The Olympic Games and Asian Games medallist with Former national team weightlifter Daniel Gevargiznejad the Indian hockey team died of a heart attack at his home died on March 27 at the age of 79, reports the Tehran Times. on February 28, reports The Tribune. He was 77. The Iranian lifter won a silver medal at 75kg at the 6th Known as Balbir Asian Games in Bangkok in 1970. He also participated Singh (Punjab) to in the middleweight division at the 1968 Olympics in distinguish him from Mexico City. his two namesakes in the Indian team, Kullar was a member of the Indian team that won gold at the 1966 Asian Games in Bangkok and bronze in the 1968 Balbir Singh Kullar. Mexico Olympics.

Kullar, who hailed from the famous hockey village of in Jalandhar district, made his India debut in 1963 in . (Photo: © Sportstar – The Hindu) Daniel Gevargiznejad (Photo: Tehran Times)

CHRIS REED – JAPANESE ICE DANCER, 30

The International Skating Union expressed its “profound sadness” on the sudden passing of Japan’s Winter Olympics ice dancer Chris Reed. He was 30 years old. (Photo: ISU)

Reed, a three-time Winter Olympian who skated with his older sister Cathy for much of his career, died of a heart attack in Detroit, Michi- gan on March 14, according to the Japanese Skating Federation.

The ISU said: “He was busily preparing for his second career as a choreographer and ice dance coach with his sister Cathy in Japan.” Chris Reed skates with his sister Cathy in 2015.

Page 33 Obituary

CHUNI GOSWAMI: ASIAN GAMES FOOTBALL CHAMPION

Former India football captain , 82, passed In club football, Goswami away in Kolkata on April 30 after a prolonged illness, reports always played for Mohun The Hindu Sportstar. Bagan. In his college days he captained Calcutta The captain of the gold-medal winning University in both football team in Jakarta, Goswami also represented Bengal in and cricket in the same first-class cricket tournaments. year.

AZAM KHAN PK BANERJEE SQUASH DYNASTY ASIAN GAMES CHAMP

Pakistan’s Azam Khan, regarded by many as the most Legendary Indian footballer PK Banerjee passed away gifted squash player of all time, died from coronavirus on in Kolkata on March 20. He was 83, The Hindu reports. March 28, aged 95. Banerjee, who played at centre forward or right wing, Based for many years in London, where he owned the represented India at the Melbourne Olympics in 1956 New Grampians Squash Club, Azam was the younger and in the Rome Olympics four years later. brother of Hashim Khan, winner of six British Open titles. Azam finished as runner-up in three of those finals before He played in three Asian Games from 1958-1966, going on to win the prestigious title himself four years in winning the gold medal in Jakarta in 1962 by beating a row, between 1959 and 1962. South Korea 2-1 in the final. He scored 65 goals in 84 appearances for the national team. “The WSF is saddened by the passing of Azam Khan, one of the greatest squash players of all time,” said World Squash Federation President Jacques Fontaine.

Azam Khan (Photo: WSF) PK Banerjee in action (Photo: © The Hindu Archives)

Page 34 Breaking News…Breaking News…Breaking News

OCA CONGRATULATES FEMALE ASIAN SPORTS LEADERS ON NEW IOC ROLES

The OCA has congratulated two female Asian sports leaders who have been appointed to lead two IOC Commissions.

On May 28, the IOC announced that Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul had been appointed Chair of the IOC Culture and Olympic Heritage Commission and Zhang Hong would head the newly-formed IOC Coordination Commission for the 4th Winter in Gangwon, Korea in 2024.

Khunying Patama is an IOC Member from Thailand, Chair of the OCA Culture Committee and Deputy President of the Badminton World Federation. Khunying Patama with IOC President Thomas Bach.

Zhang Hong is an IOC Member from China, Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic speed skating champion and Executive Board member of the Chinese Olympic Committee.

They are both members of the OCA Advisory Committee.

The OCA Director General, Husain Al-Musallam, said: “We are very proud that two female sports leaders from Asia have been appointed to head these important IOC Commissions. With their experience and knowledge we are certain they will provide inspirational leader- ship in their roles. The two commissions are in safe hands.” Zhang Hong at the OCA Asian Athletes’ Forum in 2018.

ICBC | Integrity Leads to Prosperity

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (hereinafter referred to as ICBC) was established on 1 January 1984, through its continuous endeavor and stable development, the Bank has developed into the leading bank in the world, possessing an excellent customer base, a diversified business structure, strong innovation capabilities and market competitiveness. The Bank regards service as the very foundation to seek further development and adheres to creating value through services while providing a compre- hensive range of financial products and services to 7,033 thousand corporate customers and 607 million personal customers.

The Bank has been consciously integrating the social responsibilities with its development strategy and operation and management activities, and gaining wide recognition in the aspects of promoting inclusive finance, supporting targeted poverty relief, protecting environment and resources and participating in public welfare undertakings. The Bank was ranked the 1st place among the Top 1000 World Banks by The Banker, ranked 1st place in the Global 2000 listed by Forbes and topped the sub-list of commercial banks of the Global 500 in Fortune for the sixth consecutive year, and took the 1st place among the Top 500 Banking Brands of Brand Finance for the third consecutive year. 12th September 2019, ICBC has become official prestige banking service partner of the 19th Asian Games Hang- zhou 2022.

Page 35 OCA Sports Diary

2020

Remotely: June 10 Shantou, Guangdong Province: November 20 – 28 IOC Executive Board meeting 3rd OCA Asian Youth Games 2021

Remotely: July 15 , Vietnam: November 21 – IOC Executive Board meeting 31st SEA Games

Virtually and live-streamed: July 17 Huelva, Spain: November 29 – December 5 136th IOC Session Badminton World Federation World Champion- ships 2021 Sanya, China (or remote): July 20 Chefs de Mission Seminar for 6th Asian Beach , UAE: December 10 – 12 Games 2020 FINA World Aquatics Convention

Remotely: July 22 Abu Dhabi, UAE: December 13 – 18 IOC Executive Board meeting FINA World Swimming Championships (25m)

Busan, Korea: September 27 – October 4 2022 World Table Tennis Championships Chandigarh, India: January (dates to be confirmed) Aarhus, Denmark: October 3 – 11 Commonwealth Archery and Shooting Championships Badminton World Federation TOTAL BWF Thomas and Uber Cup Finals 2020 Beijing, China: February 4 – 20 Olympic Winter Games Saudi Arabia: October 8 – 11 Ladies European Tour Aramco Saudi Ladies Beijing, China: March 4 – 13 International presented by Public Investment Paralympic Winter Games Fund, Royal Greens Golf and Country Club Fukuoka, Japan: May 13 – 29 Singapore: October 10 – 11 FINA World Championships HSBC Singapore Rugby Sevens Kyushu, Japan: May 31 – June 9 Hong Kong, China: October 16 – 18 FINA World Masters Championships Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Rugby Sevens Oregon, USA: July 15 – 24 Sanya, China: November 28 World Athletics Championships OCA Executive Board Birmingham, England: July 27 – August 7 Sanya, China: November 28 – December 6 Commonwealth Games 6th OCA Asian Beach Games 2020 Hangzhou, China: September 10 – 25 Sanya, China: November 29 19th Asian Games OCA General Assembly Dakar, Senegal: October 22 – November 9 2021 4th IOC Youth Olympic Games

Nanjing, China: March 19 – 21 Qatar: November 21 – December 18 World Athletics Indoor Championships FIFA World Cup

Bangkok-Pattaya/Chonburi, Thailand: May 21 – 30 2024 6th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games 2021 Gangwon, Korea: January 19 – February 2 Phuket, Thailand: May 31 – June 4 4th IOC Winter Youth Olympic Games International Skating Union Congress 2025 Doha, Qatar: May 31 – June 5 FINA General Congress , Uzbekistan: (dates to be finalised) 4th OCA Asian Youth Games Tokyo, Japan: July 23 – August 8 Olympic Games 2026

Tokyo, Japan: August 24 – September 5 Aichi-Nagoya, Japan: September 19 – October 4 Paralympic Games 20th OCA Asian Games

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