September 7th, 2024: A day before the all-important 44th Olympic Council of Asia General Assembly (OCA), key foreign dignitaries and delegates from all around the world were hosted by the OCA at a special cultural event and Lunch at the ITC Maurya, New Delhi.
Key sports leaders from Asian and European nations were in attendance for the event along with the Acting President of Olympic Council of India, Raja Randhir Singh, who is set to be elected as the OCA President on Sunday after emerging as the sole candidate for the top position early this year. Special cultural dance and music performances mesmerized the gathering while the global sports leaders held important discussions ahead of the OCA elections, which are set to take place at the Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi on Sunday, September 8th, 2024.
Speaking at the event, IOC Vice-President Mr. Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. spoke on the importance of the upcoming OCA elections. “The Presidency of Olympic Council of Asia is an important position with a lot of important work to be done. It is one of the important organisations within the Olympic movement. It represents one of the most important continents, and certainly the most dynamic. Having Raja Randhir Singh leading the OCA is certainly good for India, but it is also better for the Olympic movement to have his energy, support, experience, and wisdom at our service,” he said.
Addressing India’s role in the global Olympic movement, he further added, “Olympianism is about universalism. If we are not universal, we cease to exist. The world is fragmented and multi-polar. We need the unity that the Olympic movement represents. It cannot be done without 1.4 billion population from India not completely participating in the movement. We need India to further accelerate the pace of their involvement. India held an IOC session recently which was an astounding success, and the nation is already thinking about hosting an Olympic edition in the country. Soon, India will have their rightful place in the Olympic movement which would be according to the importance, size, and history of the country.”
IOC member from Hong Kong Mr. Timothy Fok thanked the OCA for their hospitality and said, “I congratulate Raja Randhir Singh who is set to be the new leader for Olympic Council of Asia. Asia is very special as sport is an important part of the Olympic movement, but also for national construction. All of us share a very long history that goes beyond sport. In the future, sports and culture will be imbibed into one. Under his leadership, it will be a new chapter for Olympic Council of Asia, and we will together work towards elevating sports across Asia. I thank OCA for their hospitality, and I really enjoyed the culture programme.”
President, Bhutan Olympic Committee, His Royal Highness Prince Dasho Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck further added, “Raja Randhir Singh has been like a father figure to me. My Olympic journey will not be the same without his influence in my career. His family has upheld Olympic contributions and traditions for generations and that is truly remarkable and inspiring for me and all of Asia. With his family bringing sports to India almost seven decades ago, introducing the Oriental Games and this will be a 360-degree moment, which is truly remarkable.”
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