Lo, President of the Macau National Olympic Committee, was representing OCA President, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah.

He praised the role of the media in helping to build and promote the Asian Games since they were first launched in New Delhi, India, in 1951.

"This shows the unity of Asia and the power of sport to unite people," said Lo in his address.

"The Asian Games prepares our Asian athletes for the Olympic Games by providing top-class international competition in world-class venues.

"The Asian Games promotes the diverse sporting culture that exists within the five zones of the OCA by presenting sports such as kabaddi from south Asia and sepaktakraw from south east Asia to a wider audience.

"The Asian Games brings together the youth of Asia from the four corners of our vast continent, fostering peace, friendship and understanding.

"This is the magic of the Asian Games.

"This is what makes the Asian Games special, and why the whole of Asia can embrace this festival of sport and culture and share in its success."

There are just over 160 days to go until the Incheon Asian Games is due to get underway on September 19 and the media were told that 44 National Olympic Committees have entered more than 15,000 athletes by the "entry by sport" deadline.

The "entry by number" deadline is June 20 and the final entry by name is "August 15".

The Games are set to feature 36 sports, 48 disciplines and 439 events across two weeks of action until October 4.

Incheon will host this year's Asian Games following on from the 2010 edition in Guangzhou, China ©Getty Images



Following presentations in the morning from the Organising Committee of the Games, led by President Kim Young Soo, the media delegates were given a tour of the Asiad Main Stadium and the Media Village.

They were also briefed on all aspects of media operations including accreditation, accommodation and services and facilities at the Main Media Centre and Sub-Press Centres, transportation and social media guidelines.

The International Torch Relay is due to take place from August 9 to 15, starting with the flame lighting at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi, India, venue for the first Asian Games in 1951.

The Torch will travel to Vietnam and China on the way to Incheon for the domestic relay, covering 3,800 kilometres by road, air and sea.

A 100-day countdown event is set to take place on June 1 at Incheon Asiad Main Stadium, with a K-Pop concert and Asian friendship football match, before an Asian Games fashion day is held on September 18 at the Hyatt Regency in Incheon incorporating a United Nations fundraising event for Syrian refugees.

During the Games, an Asian food festival will be held at Munhak World Cup Stadium and Main Stadium and feature cooking demonstrations and competitions.

The deadline for media accreditation is May 20.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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