The 45th General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia began in Kuwait with the presence of Mahmoud Khosravi Vafa, the NOC President and Chair of OCA Para Asian Games Committee, Dr. Mahdi Alinejad, the NOC Secretary-General, presidents and secretaries-general of 45 OCA member countries, and other members of the Assembly along with Thomas Bach and Kirsty Coventry, the current and President-elect of the IOC.
Iran NOC; Tehran: "This was
a special moment as we gathered in Kuwait - the heartbeat of Asia," said
Timothy Fok, First Vice President of the Olympic Council of Asia, in his
welcoming speech addressing the audience, the IOC President Thomas Bach and the
IOC President-elect Kirsty Coventry. Fok welcomed the representatives of the 45
National Olympic Committees of Asia as well as world sports leaders,
highlighting that "The opening ceremony and the General Assembly will
showcase not only the unity of Asia, but also the diversity of Asia, the spirit
of Asia and the pride of Asia from East to West, North to South." The
opening ceremony began with a video presentation of the history of the Asian
Games and concluded with a 45-minute cultural performance of "One
Asia" by musicians and artists from China, India, Uzbekistan, Indonesia,
Lebanon and Kuwait. Sheikh Fahd Nasser, President of the Kuwait Olympic
Committee, praised the Olympic Council of Asia for its visionary approach at
the opening ceremony of the 45th OCA General Assembly.
International Olympic Committee
President Thomas Bach held that Asia has played a defining role in his
presidency, and that the continent will always have a “special place in my
heart.” Kirsty Coventry, the first woman to be elected to the top IOC position,
will succeed the ninth IOC President Bach on June 23, 2025. “Asia always has
and always will have a special place in my heart. I will always be grateful for
your support, for the many beautiful moments and memories that we shared
together. With an Asian Olympic host, we turned great adversity into a historic
success for the entire Olympic Movement. We appreciate the Asian can-do
spirit,” Bach said.
Addressing delegates from 45
Asian National Olympic Committees on the second day of the 45th Olympic Council
of Asia General Assembly in Kuwait, Coventry emphasized the need for a strong
and united Asia supported by a strong OCA. “Asia has always had a special place
in the Olympic Movement – and in my heart. It is a region full of dynamism,
passion, innovation and ambition. You are not just a vital part of the Olympic community;
you are central to its future. A strong and united Asia supported by a strong
OCA is so important for our entire Movement,” Coventry said in her first formal
address as IOC President-elect.