All about 15th Doha Asian Games 2006

The 15th Asian Games is going to be held from Dec 1 – Dec15, 2006 in Doha, Qatar. This is the first time, the country is going to organize Asian Games and for the second time Asian Games will be held in West Asia since Tehran, Iran in 1974 in the 7th Asian Games. Though this event is a regional event, it has a great attraction worldwide and is one of the mostly observed multi-sports events in the world. Asian Games are held in every four year traditionally.

Doha has gone through a hard competition to be elected as the host city. Other competitor cities were Hong Kong (PRC), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and New Delhi (India). Earlier, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur had the most probability to be elected but Doha, at the end, has been elected for hosting the 15th Asian Games. It is thought that all of the West Asian countries gave their vote for Doha as this is just the second Asian Games to be held in West Asia. Competitors from 45 countries will be participating in 39 sports and 46 disciplines.

For this second largest sports tournament in the word and largest sports tournament in Asia, the authority of Doha has been working since 2003 to present a successful and glorious tournament to the world. For this purpose, 14 multi-sports stadiums have gone through a refurbishment program to organize this large competition. Lots of volunteer and worker are trying to make the Asian Games village or Asian village prepared for the tournament.

Qatar is a country of 11,437 square kilometers with a good economic background. It is also expected that through this event Qatar will be able to make a good profit which will definitely help its economy and which is most important is that through for this large tournament the sports of Qatar has already seen a huge infrastructural development which will also help the country to organize another large tournament in future. If this tournament is organized successfully then the country will get priority to be a host nation for other international competitions.

History of Asian Games:

The first initiative to organize a multi-sports tournament involving Asian Athletes was first taken in 1913 which is known as Far Eastern Championship Games which was first held in Manila, Philippine. Some East Asian countries along with Empire of Japan, Philippine Islands and Republic of China participated in the tournament. The initial objective of this tournament was to develop the unity and cooperation among three countries. However, just before the World War II in 1938, the tournament was stopped. After the World War II, many Asian countries got independence and the first attempt of today’s Asian Games was taken by Guru Dutt Sondhi, the representative of Indian IOC, during the 14th London Olympic Games in 1948. He first came up with the idea to organize a competition incorporating the athletes from all over Asia and he expressed his idea to other leaders of the Asian teams. Initially the leaders formed a organization named Asian Athletics Federation and in 1949 the organization was formerly named Asian Games Federation under which the first Asian Games was held in 1951 in New Delhi, India. The organization also took the decision that Asian Games will be held in every four years. Due to some unavoidable political incidents, the NOC (National Olympic Committee) leaders from different Asian countries decided to from Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) conducting some necessary changes in the constitution of Asian Games Federation and the Asian Games have been organizing under the regulation of OCA since 1986 South Korea Asian Games. From 1994 some west Asian countries like Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan who were the part of former Soviet Union, started participating in the Asian Games.

In terms of Gold medal the most successful country of Asian Games with 840 gold medals which is followed by Japan with 812, South Korea with 482. However, in terms of overall medal count Japan stands in the first place with 2,233 medals.



Participating Countries:

Countries form different parts of Asia will be competing in the 15th Asian Games Doha 2006. It is expected that 45 countries will send athletes to represent their countries. I am giving a short overview of each of the country including their past records and special event etc. below:

Afghanistan:

This south Asian country has not a decent record in this competition. Though it has a long tradition of sports, it could not achieve so much success in the international sports due to its political unsettle and some wars within the country. Afghanistan first competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games. However, recently Afghanistan got some successes in the international event. They got a bronze medal in the Busan Asian Games 2002 while Roia Zamani secured third position in the womens 72kg taekwondo. For the first time Afghanistan sent women in the 100 m track event and judo in the Athens Olympic Games in 2004. Afghanistan won 1 silver and 1 bronze medal in Asian Games.

Bangladesh:

Bangladesh first participated in the Bangkok Asian Games in 1978 and first sent athletics in Olympic Games in 1984 in the Los Angles Olympic Games. Bangladesh is a good competitor in Kabaddi and in the last Asian Games their Kabaddi team secired silver medal. They are getting success in Shooting. Their Hockey team is ranked 7th in Asia.

Bhutan:

Bhutan is a small south Asian country. It first competed in the 1984 Los Angles Olympic Games. The country has not found any success in the Olympic and Asian Games. However, they are doing well in Archery in the international level. Archery is the most popular and national sport in Bhutan. In the team event they became fourth in Archery in the last Asian Games in Busan in 2002. So, they have chance to win their first medal in Asian Games in the incoming Doha Asian Games. Football is also very popular in Bhutan and they got success in the 2002 Alternative World Cup.

Bahrain:

Bahrain is located in west Asia. The country does not have a long tradition of sports especially in the Olympic and Asian Games. Though they have not got any medal in Olympic Games since its first participation in 1984 Los Angles Olympic Games, they are doing well in the recent Asian Games. They got 7 medals in the last Busan Asain Games in 2002 including 3 gold, 2silver and 2 bronze medals. It is also expected that they will be able to continute their success in the Doha Asian games too as some potential and skilled athletes like athlete Rashid Ramzi and bowler Nadic Al Awandhi will take part in the competition. Rashid Ramzi is now of the most famous names in the long distance racing competition. He made a record in the athletics world winning both 800 m and 1500 m in the world athletics championship in Helsinki for the first time. Nadic is the current glod medal holder of women’s blowing. So, Bahrain can have some anticipation with the incoming Asian Games.

Asian Games 2006 Village:

Doha Asian Games Village will be providing world class services to the athletes and also to the fans. The games village will be the permanent residence for all of the participating athletes from 45 counties. Asian Games village has been adorned with all of the modern amenities and will serve modern facilities including medical treatment, shopping mall, transportation system, cinema hall, mosque, gymnasium, discothèque and a religious convention center etc. The Asian Games Village will be divided into three parts- residential, international and public.

There will have 32 blocks and nine and five-storied buildings will have 811 flats. Electricity and water will be available all the time in each of the flats. The shopping mall is expected to offer postal, car rental and banking services. Experienced and quality doctors as well as nurses will offer the modern treatment and latest medical technologies will also be available in the center. The parking area in the village has capacity of 2500 cars for parking and 70 buses have been allocated for the athletes to from the venues. All the time athletes will get assistance in any case of problem.

Asian Games Doha 2006 Venues:

Asian Games 2006 will be held in Doha in 16 venues. The opening and the closing ceremony will be organized at Khalifa International Complex where the torch of the Asian Games will also be lit. I am giving a short description on each stadium including its location, capacity, events and many other things.

Al-Arabi Sports Club:

Located in Southern Doha, this stadium has the capacity of 13,000 spectators. This stadium will host rugby sevens tournament and some football matches of the 15^th Asian Games 2006. Besides, its indoor hall will also host fencing and table tennis of this tournament. The table tennis competition will be started two days before the opening ceremony. The stadium is located in between the C and D ring roads of southern Doha. Fans can reach this stadium via DohaLink 102 bus line.

Al-Gharrafa Sports Club:

This sports club is situated in the Al-Gharrafa district, northwest of Doha. The club was founded in 1979 with the name of Al-Ittehad. Al-Gharrafa sports club will host some of the most important matches of the 15^th Asian Games 2006. The football tournament of this Asian Games will be held here four days before the opening ceremony. The handball final of the tournament will be held in the newly made indoor hall of Al-Gharrafa sports club. Its mail stadium holds the capacity of 25,000 and the indoor hall made for handball holds the capacity of 3000. Its main stadium is the second biggest stadium in Qatar jointly with the Al-Rayyan Sports Club in terms of its capacity. Al-Gharrafa district is situated 10 km northwest of Doha. People can reach this stadium through DohaLink 102 bus line.

Al-Rayyan Sports Club:

Al-Rayyan Sports Club will host football, volleyball, softball and hockey of the 15^th Asian Games Doha 2006. Four days before the opening ceremony of this tournament the football competition will be started here. Its main stadium with 25,000 capacity is the

second biggest stadium in Qatar jointly with the Al-Gharrafa sports club. Its indoor hall with 3000 capacity will host volleyball and its temporary outdoor venues will softball, hockey and baseball. The stadium is situated in the west of Doha and north of Dukhan road and 25km from the city centre. For transportation, DohaLink 104 bus line is available for the spectators to reach at the stadium.

Al-Sadd Sports Club:

This traditional sports club in Qatar is the home of the country’s most popular football club Al-Sadd football club where some of the international football stars like Romario, Abedi Pele played. It is also the oldest sports club in Qatar which was founded in 1969 by the local students. The club built a new ground in 1988 when they became the first Arabic team to win the AFC Champions league. The stadium was rebuilt for the 15^th Asian Games 2006. The indoor hall has been renovated whereas a new aquatic and a multi-purpose hall have been built ahead of this tournament. Its main stadium will host football matches, aquatic centre will host water polo, and indoor hall will take place sepaktakraw and the multi-purpose hall will host snooker, billiards, pool and carom. The stadium is situated 6km south-west of Doha, near the sports city and off Al-Wabb Street. DohaLink 32 bus line is available for the people to reach at this sports club.

Corniche:

This is one of the nicest waterfront sites in the Middle East. Its natural scenario attracts many tourists every year. Corniche will host triathlon, the cycling road events, the marathons and the race walk. It is situated at the Doha city on the Doha Bay waterfront.

Doha Golf Club:

Doha golf club is famous in the golf world as it regularly hosts Qatar Masters since 1998. Many international stars of golf participate in this tournament and Ernie Els is most famous among the participants of this tournament. This ground is one of the famous desert courses. Millions of gallons of water are needed to keep this ground green and 8 artificial lakes were built here. It is situated 8km north of the central Doha and close to West Bay Lagoon. Desert wind makes the tournament interesting. The golf competition of this 15^th Asian Games will be held here in this ground. People can come to this golf course via DohaLine 102x bus line.

Doha Sailing Club:

This club is situated at south end of Doha Bay and between the Marriott and Oasis hotel. The sailing competition of this 15^th Asian Games Doha 2006 will be organized at this sailing club. The club was founded in 1959. Ahead of this Asian Games the club has gone through a huge renovation program to increase its facilities according to the international standard. 13 sailing events will be held at this ground. DohaLink 76 bus is available to reach at this club.

Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex:

This venue has international standard for hosting ATP mens’ professional tennis tour. Qatar open is held in this complex. Roger Federer won the tournament in 2006. Eight new practice court for tennis and four squash courts was built for the 15^th Asian Games 2006. Its original tennis court has the capacity of 4,106 and each of the squash court has more than 1,000 seating capacity. Squash, tennis and soft tennis competition of this multi-sports Asian Games will be held in this complex. This Khalifa International Tennis and Squash complex is just to the next door of the Qatar sports club near to the Oryx roundabout off the Corniche. DohaLink 76, 101, 101x, 102 and 102x bus lines are available to reach at this complex.