Asiad : Clock ticking for Asian games host Guangzhou
Written by Meenaa on Monday, November 17th, 2008
Asiad : Clock ticking for Asian games host Guangzhou
Sunday, 16 November 2008
by Martin Parry*
Two years ago Qatar staged what was widely seen as the best Asian Games ever and 2010 host China is ploughing huge amounts of money into taking the multi-sports event to yet another level.
Regardless of the global economic crisis, national pride is on the line for the southern city of Guangzhou, not just to better Doha but to build on the enormous success of the Beijing Olympics.
The biggest multi-sports event after the Olympics is two years away this week and preparations are in full swing.
According to reports when the city won the bid in July 2004, Guangzhou was set to spend 220 billion yuan (26.5 billion dollars) in the run-up to the event.
Organisers refused to reveal their current expenditures when questioned by AFP recently, insisting only that any cash shortfalls would be compensated by extra effort.
“In terms of the international financial crisis, there will inevitably be some impact on Guangzhou,” Guangzhou vice mayor Xu Ruisheng acknowledged.
“We will try to stage the best Games ever, not by spending more but because we will put more effort into it.
“As a matter of fact, the Asian Games will promote economic growth in Guangzhou and Guangdong provice, especially in tertiary industries like catering and tourism.”
The Games will feature 45 countries with 14,000 athletes and officials from November 12-27, 2010. There will be 42 sports, up from 39 at the last Games, as Guangzhou tries to outdo anything seen before.
But hosting an Asian Games isn’t just about being bigger and better. The point of winning the bid is the legacy that can be left for the population.
In Guangzhou, the city government is pumping big money into upgrading the airport, railway stations and other services, with massive urban renewel underway and an eye on the environment.
Educational campaigns are up-and-running in civic responsibility, etiquette and English language training, which Guangzhou says “have received an overwhelming response from the public”.
President of the Chinese Olympic Committee Liu Peng last year characterised Guangzhou as “a pioneer in China’s reform and opening-up campaign”, and this is an aspect of hosting the Games that is certain to be scrutinised.
China promised to improve its human rights record when it was awarded the Olympics seven years ago, but rights groups charge that it failed.
Human rights are certain to come under the microscope again in the lead up the Asian Games, and organisers have already said protests would be allowed “in certain areas” during the event.
“Yes, we will allow protests to take place in certain areas. We have planned for this,” Guangzhou government vice-secretary general Gu Shiyang told AFP, but refused to go into details.
Under pressure, the government in Beijing set up three zones for use by demonstrators during the August Olympics, but not a single protest was formally approved, with some applicants being detained.
Gu also indicated that Guangzhou would follow the policy China adopted for the Beijing Olympics in allowing foreign reporters greater freedoms to do their jobs.
Fifty venues will be used for the Games, with 39 existing ones being renovated and 11 new stadiums being built, as well as construction of the Guangzhou Asian Games Town.
This mega-project will include the athletes village, technical officials village, media village, media center, a main information center, a stadium, and the Asian Games Park.
“The Guangzhou Asian Games will help improve the city’s infrastructure and environment, facilitate the development of the city’s urban areas, and boost the local economy and development of key industries,” organisers say.
“The Games will also help enhance the standard of the city’s management, boost its cultural assets and improve the quality of life of its citizens.”
Xu said all construction would be completed by December next year.
* AFP
Macau Daily Times
