Bangkok--10 Aug--Sports Authority of Thailand
The curtain of the 1st Asian Martial Arts Games was drawn today with great success with the host country- Thailand achieving a milestone by heading the medal tally for the first time ever in a sporting event.
At a press conference yesterday evening the Olympic council of Asia (OCA) expressed their satisfaction and gratitude to the organizers, athletes and all involved.
“There are a total of 32 countries taking home medals in the Games. It’s very pleasing to see the first time some countries receiving gold medals for first time including Bhutan, Brunei. Martial Arts are our heritage in Asia, not only the sports but also in some cases from a spiritual perspective. Thailand deserved their victory,” said Timothy Tsun Ting Fok acting on behalf of OCA Asian President —Sheikh Ahmed Al Fahad Al Sabah
Permanent Secretary Ministry of Tourism and Sports Dr.Sasithara Pichaichannarong, on behalf of the Thai government, expressed appreciation and gratitude to OCA.
“We would like to thank the OCA for giving us an opportunity to organise this event. As the tournament was postponed twice, our work was very tough. However, the difficulties turned in to being a challenge to organise this event. We also have to thank all people for collaboration including all those behind the scenes,” said Dr. Sasithara.
Maj Gen Charouck Arirachakaran, Secretary General of Bangkok Asian Martial Arts games Committee was impressed by the success of Thailand.
“We would like to thank all for their cooperation and believe that our motto ‘the Games of Spirits, the Land of Smiles’ came true. It will be such a good memory in my life especially about Thais’ success,” said Charouck.
“You will see that almost all Martial Arts sports originated in Asia. But it is not only the sport, but it is our culture. We have to thank Thailand for organising this Martial Arts Games. In the future the Asian Martial Arts Games will be combined with the 2013 Asian Indoor Games since there are six sports similar to each other. Three countries, Bahrain, Qatar and Turkmenistan are bidding for hosting the Games,” said Husain Al-Mussallam, Director General and Technical Director of OCA,
As for various protests, Kanokphand Culakasem, Chairman of the Sports Technical Committee, confirmed that all issues were resolved satisfactorily
“The protest from a few countries was brought for consideration to the technical committee and the problems were solved. Every effort we have made in the Games was effective. We would like to thank all people for their understanding and respect for the rules and regulation of the Martial Arts sports,” he said.
Chairman of OCA Medical Committee, Mr M. Jegathasen, was also satisfied with the doping control results and the immediate response of the hosts’ medical team to all medical issues.
“In summary from the network of medical stations, there has been no doping issue. There were 300 medical encounters, seven hospital admissions and six of seven have recovered. The Team manager from Singapore thanked Thailand’s fast response when two of his athletes were suspected with H1N1. As for the anti doping programme, there were a total of 187 tests and all thus far (122) have been negative,” he said.
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