New dates announced for 19th Asian Games, with organisers promising ‘spectacular sporting and cultural gala’
- After postponing event because of the Covid-19 situation, organisers said the Games would now take place from September 23 to October 8, 2023
- In statement, officials on the mainland say it will be a celebration of ‘Chinese grandeur, Zhejiang style and Hangzhou flavour’
Hong Kong’s athletes will have until early next year to prove they should go to the Asian Games, the head of the city’s Olympic Committee said, after organisers announced the new dates for the multi-sport event.
The Olympic Council of Asia said the 19th Asian Games, which were postponed this year because of the Covid-19 situation in China, would now be held from September 23 to October 8, 2023.
And Ronnie Wong Man-chiu, secretary general of the Hong Kong Olympic Committee, said while there were strict qualification requirements for the Olympic Games, the more flexible nature of the regional competition meant he hoped more athletes could take part.
“With the dates being confirmed, we will probably ask individual national sports associations to submit their list of athletes some time next year for our approval around May 2023,” Wong said.
“The Asian Games are more flexible in terms of qualification and unlike the Olympics which have set rigid entry requirements. Our aim is to provide the athletes with the opportunities as many as possible.”
Originally planned to be held this year from September 10 to 25 in Hangzhou, the Games were postponed because the coronavirus pandemic showed little signs of slowing.
Wong said the fact new dates had been announced showed organisers had taken the potential of further outbreaks into account, but said there was a still a question mark hanging over the Games.
