PHNOM PENH, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- The 41st Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) General Assembly was held here in Cambodia's capital, discussing plans and preparations for Asian Games events in coming years.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said it was an honor for Cambodia to host such an important meeting.
"It is a very appropriate time and very important for Cambodia to exchange ideas and gain experience and input through presentations made by sports experts because in 2023, Cambodia will be the host of the SEA (Southeast Asia) Games and Para Games," he said.
Hun Sen said the sports sector plays a vital role in diplomacy and international relations.
"The preparations and the participation in competition reflect friendship, solidarity, relations, and close cooperation among participating states and peoples," he said.
OCA acting president Raja Randhir Singh mentioned the one-year countdown for the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, which will be held from September 23 to October 8, 2023 after a one-year postponement.
He thanked and congratulated the Hangzhou Asian Games organizing committee and the Chinese Olympic Committee for their hard work, dedication and determination over many years, and especially in the past three years, due to the effects and challenges of the pandemic.
The General Assembly brought together presidents and secretary generals of Asian National Olympic Committees, the OCA said, adding that representatives of 44 NOCs participated in the meeting, of which 40 attended in person and four online.
Top of the agenda at the General Assembly will be the signing of the Host City Contract for the 2029 Asian Winter Games at Saudi Arabia's tourism resort of Trojena, Neom megacity, the OCA said.
Also on the agenda will be reports and updates from the organizing committees of the next four Asian Games -- Hangzhou 2023, Aichi-Nagoya 2026, Doha 2030 and Riyadh 2034, the OCA added.
Reports will also be made by the organizing committees of the Thailand 2023 Asian Indoor and Martial Art Games and the Riyadh 2025 Asian Indoor and Martial Art Games, according to the OCA. ■