KUALA LUMPUR: It was probably the best decision by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to postpone last year's Asian Games in Hangzhou to September this year due to the Covid pandemic.
OCA Director General Captain Hussain Al-Musallam said at the World Press Briefing/World Broadcasters meeting in Hangzhou last week: "It was the most difficult decision in the history of OCA and it was made with the full support of Hangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee (HAGOC) and the Chinese Olympic Committee.
"Looking back, we believe it was the correct decision. Looking forward, we now have a free and open 19th Asian Games with the athletes, national committees, spectators and media can truly embrace and create a spirit of friendship and unity.
"OCA is very proud of our Asian Games, and the Hangzhou postponement is another example of everyone working together in order to guarantee the best conditions and environment for all concerned, notably our athletes."
The postponement became a major test and burden to HAGOC, as all the facilities were ready even before the announcement of the postponement.
Nonetheless, HAGOC has kept all the facilities spick and span for almost two years, and is set to welcome the Asian family to the Games in two months' time.
For the first time in the history of the Asiad, the people of the host nation got to use its facilities before the athletes for the Games.
HAGOC has allowed the booking of the facilities by the public, and in some cases let people to use the facilities for free.
The venues and facilities have been well tested, including arrival and departure facilities, Games Village, training venues, transport and logistics, catering and accommodation, press centres and IT services.
China will be hosting the Asian Games for the third time - after Beijing (1990) and Guangzhou (2010).
OCA Media Committee chairman Charles Loo summed it up by saying: "We are in safe hands in China and can expect a memorable Games."