Asian Games Official Fun Run today at Colombo Port City

Fun Run HAGOC Delegation Games Services Department Deputy Director Wu Jianzhong hands over an Olympic Council of Asia plaque to NOCSL President Suresh Subramaniam

Around 700 persons will light up the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, Official Fun Run which will be held on February 7 (today) at the Colombo International Financial City (Port City) commencing from 2.30 p.m. onwards.

The Asian Games which were scheduled for last year had to be postponed due to the pandemic, and will now be held in Hangzhou, China from 23 September to 8 October 2023 under the motto “Heart to Heart, @Future.”

After completing the first stage of the Fun Run in Maldives a few days back, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) decided to conduct the second stage of this event under the patronage of the OCA Director General Dr. Husain Al-Musallam along with host of dignitaries in Colombo.

The National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) has drawn up a program from 2.30 p.m. until 7.00 p.m. 

To liven up this colourful pageant there will be a surfeit of sports and cultural activities involving over 700 persons. The cynosure of all eyes will be a Jet Ski show presented by Sri Lanka Navy and traditional Martial Art ─ Angampora Demonstration recited by the Army sports division. 

The Olympic Council of Asia is stepping up its “Asian Games for All” promotional campaign right now. A major part of this campaign is the Asian Games Fun Run, which is held throughout the continent and brings together elite athletes, social runners, students/children and sports officials. The OCA is working closely with the National Olympic Committees in all five zones to create a Fun Run calendar in order to promote the upcoming Asian Games and involve all levels of the community in a family-oriented activity.

OCA has released a schedule for February and March taking in two of the five zones: South Asia and South East Asia. 

The program is still being assembled for the three remaining zones ─ West Asia, Central Asia and East Asia ─ in conjunction with the NOCs and will be released shortly. 

The Asian Games Fun Run calendar for February and March is as follows: Maldives - 4 Feb; Sri Lanka - 7 Feb in Port City/Colombo; Bhutan - 14 Feb; Qatar - 14 Feb; Nepal - 17 Feb; Pakistan -20 Feb; Singapore 24/25 Feb; Timor-Leste - 28 Feb; Philippines - 2 March; Laos - 4 March; Vietnam - 8 March and Brunei - 12 March.

Dr. Husain Al-Musallam who has been a tower of strength behind Asian Games 2022, indicated how serious they are about the success of the event. Besides that, there is a host of other Games Officials who will eagerly await to see the successful completion of this event and report back as to what Sri Lanka is capable of delivering. 

“For us this is a momentous opportunity and we are taking it with both hands”.

Commenting on the significance of the event, NOC Sri Lanka Secretary General Maxwell de Silva said: “Akin to the Olympic Day Run or the Commonwealth Games Baton relay, the Asian Games Fun Run is very significant. In reality the “Fun Run” is the flag-off of the event and the Lankan leg of the baton will take place at the picturesque Port City, Colombo.” Among the other dignitaries who will be a part of this gateway to the Asian Games 2022 will be the Fun Run HAGOC Delegation Games Services Department Deputy Director Wu Jianzhong, Press and Public Relations Department Staff Ge Jianyang, Games Services Department Staff Bao Hanyuan and delegates from the Olympic Council of Asia. The National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka will be represented by its President Suresh Subramaniam, Secretary General NOC Sri Lanka Maxwell de Silva along with the Executive committee of the NOC Sri Lanka.