Non-Olympic events help promote sports in Asia, says OCA

Kabaddi, sepak takraw and other non-Olympic, offbeat events at the Asian Games help promote sports on the most populated continent, the regi...

Kabaddi, sepak takraw and other non-Olympic, offbeat events at the Asian Games help promote sports on the most populated continent, the regional sports body says.

“They help small nations get medals. If they get medals, their government is happy. If the government is happy, they invest more in sports,” Wei Jizhong, Sports Commission chief at the Olympic Council of Asia, said today.

“That is the best way to promote sports.”

With half of the 14th Asian Games finished, 28 of the 44 participating nations have won at least one medal.

Story continues below this ad

More than 6,000 athletes have been competing for 419 medals in 38 events, 10 more than at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Wei said the lower-profile sports help prevent regional powerhouses like China, Japan and South Korea from ‘‘monopolizing the medals.”

“Our policy is different from that of the Internationl Olympic Committee.”

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said the designation gives law enforcement “enhanced powers to combat a group that has instilled fear through violence and intimidation”.

Canada designates Lawrence Bishnoi gang a terrorist entity

Cities8 hr ago

The Canadian government has labeled the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist group, granting authorities more authority to combat their violent behavior. The gang, operating in British Columbia, Ontario, and Alberta, has been connected to 50+ violent incidents since 2023.

View all shorts

Live Blog

PHOTOS