Culture - Sports

OCA accepts Vietnam’s withdrawal of ASIAD hosting

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) on April 24 announced that it has consented to Vietnam’s decision to withdraw from hosting the 18th Asian Games (ASIAD 18) in 2019.
The Olympic Council of Asia(OCA) on April 24 announced that it has consented to Vietnam’s decisionto withdraw from hosting the 18th Asian Games (ASIAD 18) in 2019.

Earlier, OCA President Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah showed hissupport for the country’s decision at a meeting in Kuwait on April 23with a Vietnamese delegation led by Minister of Culture, Sports andTourism Hoang Tuan Anh.

The OCA leader said that hesympathises with the economic difficulties facing Vietnam and its lackof experience in organising such big sports events like ASIAD.

He also affirmed that the council will not penalise the country for its withdrawal.

At the function, Vietnamese officials briefed the OCA leader of thepreparations for the 2016 Asian Beach Games in the coastal central cityof Nha Trang, saying that Vietnam will do its utmost to make the event asuccess.

OCA plans to name the new ASIAD 18 host in September.-VNA
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