The slogan for the 15th Asian Games to be staged at Doha (Qatar) from December 1 to 15, 2006 reads: 'the games of your life.' Ever since, the 1st Asiad held at New Delhi in 1951 have gone on to become better and bigger, both in terms of disciplines and athletes participation.
But by far, from Seoul in 1986, Beijing in 1990 and Hiroshima in 1994 the Asiads have taken on a grander and grander dimension.
Nonetheless, this scribe having taken a walk down memory lane and having covered the 1994 Asian Games at Hiroshima for Pakistan's largest circulated English daily can beyond a shadow of doubt say that they were up until now the greatest-ever among the 14 staged so far.
Seoul, Beijing and Hiroshima all use the Asiad to showcase their fast growing economies to the other regional countries. Likewise, Doha intends to upscale all the other Asiads as the first Gulf Co-operation Countries (GCC) to host the games.
The President of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA), Lieutenant General Syed Arif Hasan, a straight talking, no non-sense man in the mould of a true soldier that he is said: "Three months ago I had attended a briefing in Kuwait about the 2006 Games and I was highly impressed that Doha would be able to live up to its billing to make the 15th Asian Games the greatest-ever in the history."
He added: "I on behalf of the POA and my own behalf would like to congratulate the committee on its considerable progress achieved until now and we look forward to watching with interest as more exciting developments continue to shine the spotlight on Doha and the Asian Games."
The Doha 2006 Games has been had over by the Qatar government a huge sum US $2.8 billion to be invested to ensure that 10,500 athletes from 45 countries enjoy 15 days of thrilling sports and cultural entertainment in a first-class environment. In all, 39 sport events will be held.
The DAGOC Deputy Director General for Corporate Support Ahmed Al-Khulaifi, said, "We are proud of the phenomenal success the Games has achieved so far. We are fulfilling the challenge of hosting the Games with pride while setting an example in the region.
"We are determined to make the 15th Asian Games not only a memorable experience for competitors and visitors, but ensure that there is a lasting legacy in the facilities, skills and enthusiasm that our nation can contribute to the world sport."
Khulaifi added that by successfully hosting the Asian Games, Qatar and the Middle East will demonstrate achievement on many levels.
He said hosting the Asian Games, which are organised under the exclusive authority and auspices of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), was a significant milestone for Doha and its people.
"Our investment and efforts in making Doha 2006 Games the sporting event of the 21st century will be a great addition to the region's achievements and another success for our people but most importantly, it will open the door for new challenges and further horizons in the Middle East," Mr Al-Khulaifi said.
"We believe that Qatar's determination in hosting the best-ever Asian Games will inspire athletes to strive hard and achieve the ultimate glory."
The Asian Games is the second largest international sporting event after the International Summer Olympic Games. It brings together countries from all over Asia and consists of some sports not very well known on all international levels.
The First Asian Games that took place in New Delhi in 1951 had welcomed 11 countries playing in just six sports. But now, 55 years later, the Games will include 45 different countries who will participate in 39 competitive sports totalling 423 events.
The success of the Games will project Qatar's flourishing and unlimited capabilities and present it as a significant hub for: sports, technology, education and tourism.
The 15th Asian Games Doha 2006 Prestige Partners are as follows; Qatar Telecom
Qatar Telecom (Q-Tel) is the exclusive telecommunications provider in Qatar. Q-Tel's principal activities include local and international telephony, GSM, Internet and cable television services. Q-Tel's vision is aimed at a 'customer first' mindset; delivering compelling, high quality, cost effective products and services. Q-Tel is undergoing an extensive transformation programme, Q-Turn, to develop an already advanced telecommunications network, to achieve world-class operational efficiency and seek international investment opportunities, as Q-Tel work towards the goal of becoming the region's premier telecommunications company.
Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar, is one of the fastest growing airlines in the world. Since its relaunch in 1997, Qatar Airways has developed into an award-winning airline flying to more than 60 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and the Far East. The airline plans to serve 70 destinations by the end of 2005.
Highlighting its commitment to providing its customers with genuine service and hospitality, the young airline has made personal attention and service quality its trademark. Qatar Airways has made significant inroads in the global aviation industry to become an award-winning airline in just a short few years.
It is one of only three airlines in the world to be ranked a Five Star carrier for excellent service and high standards by Skytrax, which also recognised Qatar Airways' cabin crew as the best in the Middle East in 2004 for the second year running, and fifth best in the world following a survey of more than two million passengers worldwide.
ASIAD FACT SHEET:
GENERAL INFORMATION
VENUE:
-- State of Qatar and its capital City, Doha.
MAIN BODIES:
-- The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) - the governing body of all sports in Asia.
-- The Doha Asian Games Organising Committee (DAGOC) set up in 2001.
KEY PERSONNEL:
-- Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, President of the OCA
-- H.H Sheikh Tamin Bin Hamad Al Thani, the Heir Apparent and
-- President of Qatar National Olympic Committee is also the
-- Chairman of DAGOC.
-- Abdulla Khaled al Qahtani, Director General of the Doha Asian Games
NEW SPORTS:
Chess and Triathlon will be included in the Asian Games for the first time in Doha 2006.
TOURNAMENT FACTS AND FIGURES:
-- Participating Countries: 45
-- No of Events: 423
-- No of Sports: 39
-- No of Sports Venues: Around 38
-- No of athletes and officials: 10,500
COUNTRIES PARTICIPATING IN THE 15TH ASIAN GAMES DOHA 2006:
Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Chinese Taipei, East Timor, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos
Lebanon, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, UAE, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen
A Chronology of the Asian Games (Year, Country, No of participating Countries)
-- 1951 1st Asian Games, New
-- Delhi, India 11
-- 1954 2nd Asian Games
-- Manila, Philippines 19
-- 1958 3rd Asian Games Tokyo, Japan 20
-- 1962 4th Asian Games
-- Djakarta, Indonesia 16
-- 1966 5th Asian Games
-- Bangkok, Thailand 18
-- 1970 6th Asian Games
-- Bangkok, Thailand 18
-- 1974 7th Asian Games Tehran, Iran 25
-- 1978 8th Asian Games
-- Bangkok, Thailand 25
-- 1982 9th Asian Games
-- New Delhi, India 33
-- 1986 10th Asian Games Seoul, Korea
-- 1990 11th Asian Games Beijing, China
-- 1994 12th Asian Games Hiroshima, Japan
-- 1998 13th Asian Games Bangkok, Thailand
-- 2002 14 Asian Games Busan, Korea 44
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