Cultural activities held to mark 500 days to go for Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The second Coordination Commission meeting for the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games was held virtually recently, marking the end of a series of successful 500-days-to go countdown celebrations for the Games scheduled from Oct.9-15, 2022.

A total of 25 delegates from the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games Organising Committee (HAPGOC), China Disabled Persons’ Federation (CDPF), Hangzhou Municipal government and Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) attended the two-day CoCom meet that was aimed at learning the progress of the Games preparations.

Detailed reports on various functional areas including Venue and Games Village Construction, Accreditation, Transportation, Media and Marketing, IT Solutions etc. were presented, showing the organisers’ readiness to host one of the best ever Games in the region.

In his opening speech, APC President Majid Rashed said, "In this challenging time of the Pandemic, it is important to have hope for future and these Games are giving us that hope. They will be a joyful celebration of the human spirit as athletes from all over the region come together to show just what is possible with courage, determination and solidarity.

"We are very pleased with the progress in the preparations. The organising committee have put in a lot effort and their dedication is highly appreciated. My best wishes to the Hangzhou 2022 organising committee for the next phase of preparation and we look forward to hopefully visiting them in person soon."

Among other distinguished names present at the meeting were Chen Weiqiang, Deputy Secretary General of HAPGOC and Vice Mayor of Hangzhou; CDPF President Zhang Haidi and Mao Genhong, Deputy Secretary General of HAPGOC and Hangzhou Municipal Government among others.

The organisers stated that 19 Venues, including 17 used for the Asian Games, will be used for the Games, with all but cycling taking place within the city of Hangzhou. 616 events will be competed across 22 sports and 4000 athletes are expected to take part.