Candidates for 2019 Asian Games; Spain, Mexico NOCs Collaborate

Potential Bids for 2019 Asian Games

Indonesia youth and sport minister Roy Suryo says the country has "the will and funds" to stage the 2019 Asian Games.

Last week, Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung announced that Hanoi was backing out as host of the games, citing lack of preparedness and financial concerns. Hanoi was originally awarded the 2019 Asian Games in November 2012, beating out Surabaya, Indonesia.

"We have been waiting for this opportunity for decades and don’t want to wait for another decade," Suryo said in statement to the Associated Press. "Indonesia is ready and there will be no problem with funds."

Despite claims from Suryo that the games could be held in Surabaya, Indonesia Olympic Committee chairwoman Rita Subowo questioned whether the government would have enough time to prepare.

Subowo also noted that a new government, set to be elected later this year, might not agree to pay for the games.

According to the chairwoman, a team from the Olympic Council of Asia will visit Indonesia early next month to assess its "suitability to host the games."

Indonesia hosted the 2011 Southeast Asian Games and the 1962 Asian Games.

The Greater Kaohsiung government has also announced it will evaluate the possibility of hosting the 2019 Asian Games.

Government official Chen Sin-yu encouraged Kaohsiung explore "cooperative efforts" from surrounding counties to show that southern Taiwan is capable of hosting an international sports competition.

Chen said Kaohsiung showed interest in hosting the 2019 Asian Games years ago, but it lost the bid to Taipei in 2010.

"The city should do everything it can this time to host the games," Chen said in a statement to the press.

Chen added, "[This] will demonstrate to the world that the city is able to raise its publicity around the world and host an international sports event."

Aside from Greater Kaohsiung and Indonesia, Malaysia has indicated its intentions to replace Vietnam as the host country for the games if the Olympic Council of Asia helps pay for the cost.

OCA to Meet Vietnamese Delegation

The Olympic Council of Asia will meet with a delegation from Vietnam, led by Vietnam National Olympic Committee president Tuan Anh Hoang, on Wednesday to discuss plans for the 2016 Asian Beach Games.

The Vietnamese delegation includes deputy minister of foreign affairs Nga Phuong Nguyen, Hanoi deputy mayor Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc and other officials from the Vietnam NOC.

Following a meeting between the delegation and OCA president Sheik Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah, a joint press conference will take place at the OCA headquarters.

According to the OCA media department, the council has "extended its warm welcome" to the delegation and is satisfied with all preparations to date related to hosting the 5th Asian Beach Games.

COM, COE Collaborate

The Mexican Olympic Committee (COM) has signed a landmark cooperation agreement and the Spanish Olympic Committee (COE).

The agreement is set to run for one year and will be renewed until its termination is requested by one of the parties involved.

COM president Carlos Padilla Becerra said the agreement marks efforts from all involved organizations to promote not only sport, but academics as well.

According to Becerra, athletes will be able to study online in areas such as law, tourism, psychology, computer science, and business administration through the San Antonio Catholic University of Murcia.

The agreement will also focus on "collaborative research in the area of sport and Olympism through fellowships, research grants, and awards between representatives from both nations."

COE president Alejandro Blanco said both coaches and the athletes will be encouraged to participate in projects launched as a result of this agreement.

National Commission of Physical Culture and Sports director Jesus Mena Campos hopes that through this collaboration an athlete will gain the tools needed to grow after ‘he concludes his sporting life.’

Written byNicole Bennett

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