Sep 27 (APP):Vice President Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), President Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) Syed Arif Hasan has called for utilising sports as a means to overcome obstacles in understanding each other’s point of view.OCA celebrates 100 years of Asian games.
In an interview with APP from Hangzhou, China he said, the meetings within the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) helped in the bonding among people from different ideologies, adding the ideal of ‘One Asia’, as envisaged by the Asian Games 2023 hosts China and other participating countries, can be realised through sports
Thanking for the hospitality of Chinese government, Arif Hasan said contingents from 45 countries got together at the Olympic Village and interacted with each other as ambassadors of their respective countries.
“The Chinese President Xi Jinping honoured the delegations when he met them on the sidelines of the Asian games,” he said
Hailing the arrangement for the Asian Games 2023, he said the standards of facilities have been excellent. He also thanked the people of Hangzhou for their warm hospitality, adding that he was amazed by the modern developments in the historic city of Hangzhou.
On the Opening ceremony of the Asian Games, he said everyone was mesmerised how modern technology was fused to showcase Chinese heritage and culture to the world, adding the ceremony was a piece of art.
The President POA made a special mention of the warmest reception extended to the Pakistan contingent during the opening ceremony, adding that it reflected love of the Chinese people for their Pakistani brethren.
To a query, he said medal-winning is only possible if a developed system is in place. He said this event will go a long way in improving performance of our athletes, adding that Pakistani athletes have watched and worked together with the other athletes at the Olympic Village in Hangzhou and they will benefit from this experience. He further said exposure and experience are vital to medal winning.
POA President Syed Arif Hasan said China is a sporting super-power and the Pakistan government should seek help from China in transferring its expertise in training of athletes and development of infrastructure.
