2019 Asian Games

The 2019 Asian Games will be the largest multi sporting event in Asia and is governed by Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), it will be the 18th Games to be contested. Originally, the Games were scheduled for 2018. However, in the Olympic Council of Asia's general assembly in Singapore on July 3, 2009, the committee decided to move the Games within one year before the Summer Olympics, this meant that the 18th Asian Games will now be held in 2019.^[1]

Four cities were announced as the candidates of the Games, and the host will be announced on November 3, 2012 at Macau Galaxy, Macau.^[2]

Bids

Candidates

• Surabaya, Indonesia

The Olympic Council of Asia supports Indonesia to stage the 2019 Asian Games, according to the National Sports Committee of Indonesia.^[3] However, the bid has yet to be made official. Indonesian minister of youth and sport, Andi Mallarangeng has appointed East Javan city Surabaya to be Indonesian host city candidate for 2019 Asian Games XVIII. The ministry will present the idea of Indonesian bid to Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in 9 February 2012, and the official hosting proposal letter will be sent to Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) afterwards.^[4][5] Surabaya is Indonesia's second-largest city after Jakarta with a population of over 2.7 million (5.6 million in the metropolitan area), and have better infrastructure compared to Palembang that previously hosts 2011 Southeast Asian Games. Indonesia hosted Asian Games last time in 1962 in Jakarta. Indonesian minister of youth and sport stated, that Olympic Council of Asia has offered Indonesia to host the 2019 games, and after 57 years Indonesia is ready to host the greatest sport event in Asia for the second times.^[6]

Previously Palembang has shown its interest to host 2019 Asian Games. After the closing ceremony of 2011 Southeast Asian Games which was held in Palembang, Alex Noerdin, the governor of South Sumatra stated that is ready to host the Asian Games in 2019.^[7] Palembang co-hosted the 2011 Southeast Asian Games along with Jakarta. The city staged both opening and closing ceremonies, as well as a total of 21 different sports. The capital of South Sumatra province was one of the host cities of the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, where the third place play off took place, one of the co-hosts of 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup, and the host of 2004 Indonesia National Games.

• Dubai, United Arab Emirates

President of Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), Sheikh Fahad Al-Sabah stated that Dubai is considering placing a bid for the 2019 edition of the Games. Previously, Dubai was to bid for the 2014 event; however, they withdrew because they did not see the 2014 Games as a priority.^[8] Official reveal state that United Arab Emirates can provide several venues including in Abu Dhabi.^[2]

• Taipei, Chinese Taipei

Taipei beat Kaohsiung and Taipei County (now known as New Taipei) as the potential city to bid for the Games in March 2010.^[9] It is estimated that the Games could cost NT$19 billion to host.^[10] New Taipei could become a co-host should mayoral candidates of the ruling Kuomintang win their respective elections,^[11] which they did. On August 18, 2010, Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin announced that Taipei will bid for the Games.^[12] Taipei has successfully hosted the 2009 Summer Deaflympics and is currently hosting the 2010 Taipei International Flora Exposition. Kaohsiung has also hosted the World Games 2009. On November 29, 2011, Taipei won the bid to host the 2017 Summer Universiade.^[13]

If Taiwan wins the bid, new facilities will be built. These will include a 2,000-capacity media center, a 60,000-seat main stadium, a 10,000-seat multifunctional gymnasium and swimming arena, as well as new cycling and archery auditoriums. In addition, a new sports dome at Linkou will be built as the second major venue for the Games.^[14]

• Hanoi, Vietnam

Vietnam Olympic Committee aims to bid for the Games, as quoted as saying on September 6, 2010.^[15] The country has previously hosted 2003 Southeast Asian Games, 2007 AFC Asian Cup and 2009 Asian Indoor Games. They officially launched the bid on June 7, 2011.^[16] It is reported that Vietnam would spend VND6 trillion (approximately US$300 million) on this event if Hanoi were selected to be the host.^[17] In February 2012, VOC proposed a "super economy" plan to host the Games with just only $120 million besides the original plan. If this propose is chosen, most of the facilities built for 2003 Southeast Asian Games and the surrounding provinces will be used. According to the propose, a velodrome for track cycling will be built while the venue for canoeing and kayak will be either newly built or upgraded from an existing venue at West Lake.^[18]

However, deputy chairman and general secretary said Vietnam needs $150 million to staging the Games, with $50 million will be use as setup and $7 million use for upgrading to the My Dinh National Stadium. Vietnam also plan to add baseball, sepak takraw, wushu, kabaddi and karate as part of the deal with OCA and also proposed vovinam, jianzi, chess and squash as non Olympic events.^[19]

Interested

• New Delhi, India

India hosted the 2010 Commonwealth Games and has also hosted two Asian Games in 1951 and 1982. It was reported that they were keen to bid for 2019 Games.^[20] However, on August 2, 2010, the government turned down Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) bid for the Games, amid allegations of corruption in 2010 Commonwealth Games.^[21] The sport ministry reconfirmed its rejection for the bids on November 4, 2010.^[22] However, Randhir Singh declared on November 11, 2010 after attending the flag hosting ceremony at Guangzhou, that India's bid is still on.^[23]

Cancelled

• Hong Kong, China

If Hong Kong bids for the 2019 Asian Games, this will be its second attempt after they lost the 2006 bid to Doha. Timothy Fok, president of the Hong Kong Olympic Committee, believes the bid will support Hong Kong in sports infrastructure investment as they are prepared to spend HK$1 billion to upgrade the venues.^[24] On June 25, 2010, the government supports authority to bid for 2023 Games instead of 2019.^[25] On September 21, 2010, the Home Affairs Bureau release a paper, underline that Hong Kong needs HK$13.7 to HK$14.5 billion to staging the Games.^[26] A website was staged to begin the consultation whether "should Hong Kong bid to host the 2023 Asian Games".^[27] On January 14, 2011, the finance committee of Legislative Council rejects the budget submitted by the government, cancelling the bid for 2023 Asian Games.^[28]

• Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Malaysia submitted a bid in January 2010, making it the second time after bidding for 2006 Games, where they lost.^[29] The Sports Minister declared that the 2019 success can boost the local sports.^[30] However, Ahmad Shabery Cheek told reporters on September 1, 2010 that Malaysia would not make any further bids due to financial constraints, this decision mean Malaysia withdrew for second time for the same reason after 2010 bids.^[31] In mid-November 2010, Ahmad Shabery Cheek said Malaysia are seeking the cabinet's approval for a 2023 Asian Games' bid,^[32] but on March 23, 2011, he once again stated that Malaysia are not ready to host the Games, citing escalating cost as the main reason for the failure.^[33]

References

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