Asian Games Set To Begin From September Next Year In China

The 19th edition of the Asian Games was to be held from September 10 to 25 this year but got postponed on May 6 due to the increase in the Coronavirus case in China.

New dates for the 19th edition of the Asian Games have been announced.

Source : AFP

New Delhi: The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) on Tuesday announced new dates for the postponed Asian Games. The Games will be held in Hangzhou, China next year, from 23rd September to 8th October. The 19th edition of the Asian Games was earlier slated to be held from September 10 to 25 this year but got postponed on May 6 due to the increase in Coronavirus case in China. According to several media reports, China has prepared 56 grounds in Hangzhou city for the Asian Games.

"The Task Force over the last two months held various discussions with the Chinese Olympic Committee, Hangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee (HAGOC) and other stakeholders to find a window for the Games which did not conflict with other major international sporting events," the OCA said in a statement.

"The recommended dates by the Task Force were duly approved by the OCA EB," the statement added.

The COC said,"We will make concerted efforts with the OCA and the HAGOC in advancing preparatory work to ensure the Games a success." "The HAGOC will collaborate with all related parties in preparation for the Games in an all-round manner according to the confirmed dates to stage a spectacular sporting and cultural gala with Chinese Grandeur, Zhejiang Style and Hangzhou Flavor," state-run Xinhua agency quoted a statement, issued by the organisers as saying.

Due to the threat of the Coronavirus, many countries including India had expressed concern over participating in the Asian Games. But now, those worries seem to be over due to the postponement of the Games for a year.