SHANGHAI: Pakistan is sending a strong contingent of 262 talented athletes and dedicated officials for the upcoming 19th Asian Games to be held in Hangzhou, east China’s Zhejiang Province from September 23 to October 8.
The Pakistani athletes will compete in a wide range of 25 disciplines including cricket, hockey, swimming, badminton, martial arts, and many more.
In addition to cricket and hockey, often referred to as Pakistan’s national obsession, Pakistan also has a huge competitive edge in e-sports, squash and kabaddi, said Pakistan’s Consul General in Shanghai, Hussain Haider.
Discussing the need for Pakistan’s sports industry to get a boost during the games, the Consul General said that as a young country with 64 percent of the population under the age of 29, Pakistan has a large sports market, with Sialkot as the hub of Pakistan’s sports industry.
“For investors who come to Pakistan to invest in the sports industry, especially Chinese investors who are already the largest investors in Pakistan, all the facilities and preferential policies that the Pakistani government opens to other industries are also applicable to investing in the sports industry,” he added.
He said the upcoming games are poised to become a significant catalyst for deepening cultural and sports exchanges between Pakistan and China.
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With over 12,500 athletes from 45 countries set to compete in a wide array of sports, the 19th Asian Games has captured global attention. The event promises to be a thrilling spectacle, showcasing the extraordinary skills, determination and teamwork of athletes from diverse backgrounds.
Meanwhile, the 19th Asian Games village has officially been opened. The main village in Hangzhou, the largest non-competition venue for the event, is located on the south bank of the Qiantang River.
Another five athletes’ villages are located in the cities of Ningbo, Wenzhou and Jinhua, and the counties of Chun’an and Tonglu in east China’s Zhejiang Province.
The eco-friendly village in Hangzhou is expected to host over 20,000 people, including athletes, officials and staff during the games. In the village, people can visit the 5G Smart Asian Games Experience Space to watch the games in Glass-Free 3D and via VR Live Sport.
