The Acting President of the Olympic Council of Asia, Raja Randhir Singh, welcomed delegates from 45 National Olympic Committees to the 43rd OCA General Assembly at the InterContinental Hotel in Bangkok on Saturday.
“We have a very busy agenda in front of us today – and I call on your support and solidarity to guarantee a smooth and successful General Assembly,” he said.
“We all have different ideas and different opinions – but the most important thing is that we show respect and understanding in our work and in our decisions. This is what makes Asia unique in the Olympic Movement – our strength and unity in our diversity.”
Raja Randhir described the meeting as “one of the most important General Assemblies in the history of the OCA because we will be making major changes to our Constitution”.
He thanked the OCA Constitutional Reforms Committee, the OCA Executive Board and the IOC for their support and guidance, especially the leadership of the IOC President, Thomas Bach.
“This will enable the OCA to move forward, following the Olympic Charter of the IOC but also retaining our autonomy, our independence and our Asian characteristics,” he added.
“The reform process is nearing completion – and we need your support and cooperation today so that we can get this over the line and move forward together.
“We have many reasons to be positive and proud as we move into the next chapter of the OCA success story.”
Raja Randhir also expressed his concern over the politicization of sport in recent months, and urged the National Olympic Committees to respect the directives of the IOC.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa, said Thailand was ready to serve the OCA again by hosting the 6th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games this November.
“Preparations are timely, particularly on the budgetary considerations,” he said.
*The OCA Merit Award was presented to Mr. Oybek Kasimov, Secretary General, Uzbekistan Olympic Committee.
by Asia Hockey
