Before the start of the 2024 Olympics in Paris, a meeting of representatives from the NOCs of Central Asian countries took place. The meeting was attended by the presidents and general secretaries of the NOCs of the OCA zone for Central Asia, which includes Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, Orient.tm reports.
From Turkmenistan, the participants were the General Secretary of the National Olympic Committee Ata Akmammedov and the Chairman of the State Committee for Physical Culture and Sports Allaberdy Saparov, reports Orient.tm.
During the event, issues regarding regional cooperation were discussed. One of the main points of the meeting was the consideration of reviving the Central Asian Games, which have not been held since 2005. In particular, one proposal concerned reducing the number of sports in the competition program to 10-12 Olympic disciplines and establishing the age category of participants as 14-18 years old, which would allow the reserves of national teams to progress.
Recommendations on the competition regulations were given by both representatives of the IOC and the OCA, noting their readiness to support the initiatives of Central Asian countries, including within the framework of the Olympic Solidarity program. The meeting was attended by IOC member and current President of the Olympic Council of Asia Raja Randhir Singh, IOC Director for NOC Relations, Olympic Solidarity, and Olympism 365 James Macleod, IOC Deputy Director Olivier Niamkey, and Edward Kensington, IOC Olympic Solidarity Program Coordinator for Asia, among other high-ranking officials from international sports organizations.
"Thank you very much for the invitation. I am pleased that your entire region has gathered together. And I am happy to meet you here in Paris. I can note that we are like one family, working together for common interests. What you are doing now, putting forward initiative proposals, unites us on the path to achieving goals," said Raja Randhir Singh. "I remember the first Central Asian Games were held in Uzbekistan in 1995. The IOC participated in their organization. It was a great success. And I am very glad that you are raising the issue of reviving these competitions. It is very important to hold regional Games. This gives an additional impetus to the development of the entire region."
"I am sure that the IOC will support all your initiatives aimed solely at the progress and development of sports in Central Asia," added the President of the Olympic Council of Asia.
"Whether such initiatives as holding the Central Asian Games will result from the meeting is up to you to decide. Nevertheless, you should remember that the IOC will support you and your athletes. We are very fortunate to be able to announce an increase in funding under the Olympic Solidarity program. As you know, part of these funds can also be used to support such initiatives," noted IOC Director James Macleod, wishing the NOC leaders good luck at the Games in Paris.
Additionally, the upcoming General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia and the elections scheduled during its period were discussed at the meeting.
Representatives of the Central Asian NOCs agreed to hold such meetings on a regular basis and work together to strengthen the region's sporting influence.
Next, the leaders of Central Asian sports organizations plan to meet at the end of September in Kyrgyzstan, at Issyk-Kul.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
July 26, 2024