Xtra Time Web Desk: The 2022 Asian Games, which was originally scheduled for September this year, will now be held from September 23 to October 8, 2023, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) announced on Tuesday.
The marquee event was postponed in May due to the rapid spread of COVID-19 in and around the host city of Hangzhou in China. The quadrennial event was scheduled to be held from September 10 to 25, 2022.
After announcing the postponement of the Asian Games on May 6, the Olympic Council of Asia formed a task force to come up with new dates which did not conflict with other major international sporting events next year.
The task force held discussions with the Chinese Olympic Committee, the Hangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee (HAGOC) and also the other stakeholders and recommended the September-October 2023 window.
“The OCA thanks HAGOC, the Chinese Olympic Committee, as well as the governments at all levels for ensuring they (Asian Games) can take place next year,” the Olympic Council of Asia said in a statement.
“The OCA would also like to express its appreciation for the patience shown by the national Olympic committees, international/Asian federations and other stakeholders.”