Kabaddi to stay in Asian Games: OCA chief

FE Team | Published: September 28, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

INCHEON, Sept 27 (BSS): Asia's Olympic boss assured that niche events like kabaddi, sepak takraw and wushu would remain in the Asian Games despite pressure to reduce the number of sports.
Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah said that the three disciplines, little known outside the region, would help to make the Asian Games.
"We have to respect Asian tradition and Asian sport," the Kuwaiti said at the 17th Asiad while talking to the journalists Friday.
"We cannot speak about South Asia without kabaddi, we cannot also speak about Southeast Asia without sepak takraw, and you cannot speak about East Asia without wushu."
Kabaddi is an Indian wrestling-style sport, wushu is a Chinese martial art and sepak takraw is a form of Southeast Asian volleyball played with the feet.
The OCA chief also said that Asian Games exposure could even provide a platform for the disciplines to make the step up to the Olympics.
He said that some 9,500 athletes were competing at the Asian Games, which run until October 4. Talking about Indonesia, the host of 2018 Asian Games, Sabah said they would have enough time to prepare and the delay in awarding of hosting rights would not have any effect on the preparation.
The president said that Indonesia already had many of the venues and facilities needed for the Olympic-size event.
On the other hand, Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) Secretary General Syed Shahed Reza said Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah assured him his organisation would extend helping hand toward Bangladesh in sports.
Shahed Reza told it to the news agency before leaving Incheon Saturday.
The BOA Secretary General said that I had a meeting with OCA boss here.
He has assured me not only OCA but also Kuwait OCA would extend helping hand for the development of sports in Bangladesh. "We discussed various issues, including a threat,x to reduce number of games in the Asiad like Kabaddi.
OCA Boss assured me that he would always protect kabaddi, sepak takraw and wushu.