With a helping hand from a former Miss World, the organising committee of the Olympic Council of Asia’s sixth Asian Beach Games launched the mascot at the one-year countdown ceremony on Thursday.
Stephanie Del Valle Diaz, Miss World 2016 from Puerto Rico, joined the mascot Yaya on stage for the ceremony.
"Yaya is based on the deer, which is an iconic symbol of Sanya city. I think it is the perfect mascot for the Asian Beach Games," said the former Miss World, who handed over her crown to her successor when Sanya hosted the competition in 2017.
Sanya, a tropical tourist resort on Hainan Island in southern China, will host the sixth Asian Beach Games from November 28 to December 6, 2020. There will be 17 sports contested by athletes from the OCA’s 45 National Olympic Committees.
The OCA’s Life Vice President, Raja Randhir Singh, represented the OCA at the countdown and mascot launch ceremony.
"I am sure the Asian Beach Games Sanya 2020 will be a big success," he said.
"Sanya has beautiful beaches, luxurious resorts and tropical gardens and forests. It is truly the pearl of the South China Sea."
Regarding the mascot Yaya, Raja Randhir added: "I think it’s fantastic. The local people, especially the children, will love Yaya, as will all the athletes and officials from Asia taking part in the games.
"The mascot will present the fun and friendly face of the Asian Beach Games and of Sanya city."
The ceremony began with a welcome message from Zhang Zhenhua, Secretary and Director of the Standing Committee of the Sanya Municipal People’s Congress.
He said the organising committee was busy with 76 projects related to the hosting of the Asian Beach Games and that 8,000 volunteers were being trained to make sure the event ran smoothly.
"We are looking forward to welcoming Asia to our open and charming city," he said.
Sanya 2020 released the emblem, which also features the deer, and the slogan – "See ya in Sanya" – last month.
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