OCA President backs VN’s withdrawal of hosting ASIAD

Main stadium of ASIAD-17 in Incheon, the Republic of Korea - Photo: Getty

He had a working session at the OCA headquarters in Kuwait with a Vietnamese delegation headed by Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh, who cited economic difficulties and lack of experience in organising big sports events like ASIAD as the reasons for Viet Nam's decision.
 
The OCA leader said that he sympathises with the difficulties Viet Nam is facing and affirmed that the council will not penalise the country for its withdrawal.
 
In OCA’s statutes, there is no article stipulating how much a host country of ASIAD has to pay if it withdraws. The penalty is based on the council’s decision after it hears the country’s reasons.
 
During the working session, Vietnamese officials also informed the OCA leader of their country’s preparations for the 2016 Asian Beach Games in the coastal central city of Nha Trang, saying that Viet Nam pledges to successfully organise the event.
 
The official decision of OCA on Viet Nam’s option will be announced at an April 24 press conference which is chaired by the council’s General Director Husain Al Musallam.
 
Indonesia and Malaysia, also in Southeast Asia, have expressed their willingness to host ASIAD 18.- VNA