(ATR) After Hanoi resigns as host of the 2019 Asian Games, a scramble begins to find a replacement in just five months.
The Vietnam capital was awarded the 2019 games two years ago and has struggled since then to meet standards set by the Olympic Council of Asia. Leaders of the Hanoi organizing committee apparently delivered word a couple of weeks ago to the OCA that relinquishing the games was imminent. Vietnam’s Prime Minister confirmed that on April 17, when he issued a statement withdrawing government support for the games.
A statement from OCA says it welcomes the decision by Vietnam.
"OCA was aware and happy about the decision's been taken on 17 April 2014 by Vietnam not to delay such important matter to a later stage, which then could be very difficult for OCA and Vietnam to find a replacement city to Host the Asian Games in 2019," says the statement from OCA headquarters in Kuwait.
The statement says the OCA general assembly will select a replacement on September 20 when it meets in Inchon, South Korea just before the 2014 Asian Games open.
The Constitution of the OCA details the application process but bases the procedure on an eight year span from election to the actual games. Government guarantees, a plan for the games, and inspection visits are all needed ahead of the September OCA vote. It’s a process that takes more than a year under normal circumstances; the OCA has less than five months to get the job done.
Likely candidates include previous games hosts including Guangzhou (2010) or Beijing (1990). Doha, the 2006 host, could be a possibility but with a 2022 World Cup to prepare for as well, maybe not. Delhi bid for the 2014 edition awarded to Inchon, Indonesia came up second to Hanoi for 2019. Singapore is not interested according to IOC member Ser Miang Ng, quoted by Reuters news. Japan, another experienced host, has its hands full in 2019, hosting the rugby World Cup, followed by the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Written by Ed Hula.
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