The Hindu : Inaugural Afro-Asian Games in Hyderabad

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 09, 2003

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Sport - Sports : General

Inaugural Afro-Asian Games in Hyderabad

By V.V. Subrahmanyam

HYDERABAD MARCH 8. Now it is confirmed that the inaugural edition of the Afro-Asian Games will be held in Hyderabad.

This was the crucial decision taken during the executive council meeting of the All Africa Nations Olympic Committee (AANOC) in Nigeria a couple of days ago.

Mr. L.V. Subrahmanyam, vice-chairman and managing director of Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh, told The Hindu that the schedule has also been finalised and the Games will be from October 24 to November 1.

Apparently impressed by the audio-visual presentation about the state of infrastructure available in Hyderabad and the capability of the State in hosting the Games by virtue of the grand success of the 32nd National Games, the top brass of the AANOC has given the green signal for the mega event.

The Indian Olympic Association, delegation headed by president Suresh Kalmadi, also made a fervent appeal to the friends in Africa to consider the issue positively.

Significantly, the AAOC has even ensured that the eighth African Games will be concluded by October 18 to facilitate the best athletes to take part in the Afro-Asian Games.

It is also now near certain that about 2,500 athletes besides 800 officials from the two Continents will be in Hyderabad.

Efforts are also on to invite the International Olympic Committee chief to be present at the inaugural of the Afro-Asian Games.

There has also been unanimity on the eight disciplines — athletics, aquatics, football, hockey, shooting, tennis, weightlifting and boxing — for the Games and indoor kabaddi will be the demonstration sport.

A high-level delegation from AANOC will visit Hyderabad in April to finalise the detailed schedule for the Games.

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