OCA hints at reducing number of events in Asian Games

Doha, Dec 8 (UNI) The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) today announced that it is seriously considering limiting the number of events to be held in the Asian Games and is planning to shift some disciplines to beach and indoor games.

Addressing a media conference here this evening, OCA secretary General Randhir Singh said the final decision in this regard would be taken next year.

He said the OCA has planned to conduct the Asian Indoor Games and Asian Beach Games on once in every two year basis to take off the load from the main Games.

''We have already held the first indoor Games at Bangkok last year. Macau will host the next in 2007, followed by Vietnam in 2009'' and added that the first beach games would be held in Bali, Indonesia in 2007, followed by Oman in 2009, Vietnam in 2011 and Phlippines in 2013.

He said even the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is contemplating on reducing the number of events in the 2012 London Games.

Randhir Singh, however, made it clear that popular sports like Kabaddi, Washu and Sepaktakraw would continue to be part of the main Games.

''Indoor Games and Beach Games will be slowly made a once-in-four-years affair,'' he added.

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