OCA Admits Games becoming unwieldy

Doha, Dec 6 (UNI) The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has admitted the Asian Games are becoming unwieldy and hinted that next edition of the extravaganza is likely to see less number of disciplines so that they could be managed well.

''The OCA is serious about this matter and will soon discuss ways and means to limit the Games to a certain number of disciplines and participating athletes in the coming years,'' OCA chief Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah said.

''The Asian Games are becoming bigger and bigger every time we stage the show. We, at OCA, have realised this, and have decided to deliberate on such matters at a meeting to be held in uwait next winter,'' he disclosed.

''During that meeting, the OCA Executive Council will hammer out a number of important decisions pertaining to future Asian Games editions and various OCA championships to be held around the continent.'' He, however, hinted that cricket may become regular feature at future Asian Games, and said such discussions on cricket would take place in the near future.

''Doha is hosting more than 12,000 athletes and officials from 45 member states of OCA for competitions to be held in 39 disciplines.

These are big numbers if we compare Doha with past Asian Games. You need a big army of people to manage a Games edition of this magnitude,'' he observed.

''We are aware of the changing numbers and will act soon so that futures Games hosts are able to manage the show without too much of organisational hassle. During the meeting in Kuwait, we will also discuss matters relating to various qualifying events normally held prior to any Games,'' Sheikh Al Sabah said.

He also ruled out the possibility of Australia becoming part of the Asian Games fraternity.

''If Australia or Oceania countries took part in the football competition at any Asian Games, more than 16 Asian countries would lose the chance of participating in the continent's premier sports show.'' The OCA chief asserted that it was wrong to assume that Asian Games only revolve around big countries like China, India and South Korea and said all Games editions had their own special charm.

''The Asian Games held in 1951 in New Delhi cannot be compared to the show staged by the same city in 1982. There were so many advancements in the Games held in 1982, compared to the event staged in 1951. Similarly, every Asian Games edition is different from the other. That is why we have seen countries like China, India and Thailand stage Asian Games more than once, but sometimes in different cities, which is a good thing.'' He also did not agree with an idea of two cities putting in a joint bid to stage Asian Games.

''I don't think it is possible. The OCA may not back such an idea. I don't think we need to have co-hosts because the Games can be managed by a single city.'' UNI HSB DH DS1212