Efforts of Asian Games organizers lauded

The second World Press Briefing for the 19th Asian Games got underway in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province on Wednesday with officials from the Olympic Council of Asia, or OCA, praising the organizers for ensuring the best possible conditions for the participants, despite the challenges.

In his message, Husain Al-Musallam, director general of the OCA, said the whole continent was waiting for the 16-day sporting extravaganza to begin, after it was postponed for a year due to the pandemic.

"It was a difficult decision, and it was made with the full support of the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee, or HAGOC, and the Chinese Olympic Committee," he said in his letter. "Looking back, we believe it was the correct decision. Looking forward, we now have the free and open 19th Asian Games which the athletes, National Olympic Committees, spectators and media can truly embrace and create a spirit of friendship and unity," he added. He lauded the teamwork of the OCA and the Hangzhou games officials.