Equestrian sports back in as Incheon gets 2014 Asiad
Wednesday, April 18th, 2007
by Peter Ibrahim Abisheanaden
The South Korean port city of Incheon yesterday won the right to host the 2014 Asian Games, fending off a challenge from New Delhi to hold the world's largest continental championships.
The news was greeted with delight in the equestrian world as Korea is an Asian and emerging world powerhouse in equestrian sports. Korea dominated the dressage event at the Doha Asian Games, and might have won further medals in eventing if the team had not pulled out of the rest of the event after their rider Hyun-Chil Kim was killed in the 3 Day Event. Their showjumping riders are very well respected having performed admirably at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
Korea are almost certain to include equestrian sports in the 2014 Incheon Asian Games.
Australia hopes of competing in the Asian Games were dashed by the OCA, who said it would not be fair to Oceania. Shaikh Ahmad acknowledged the benefits Australia's inclusion might bring, but said they were outweighed by the damage it would do to Oceania's other sporting nations. The OCA President, who was re-elected to a fifth term in office, also encouraged Qatar to formalise its bid for the 2016 Olympics, joining Tokyo as the Asian nations in the race.
Meanwhile, 2010 Asian Games host city Guangzhou is said to be considering an about turn on equestrian sports. Sources close to the Chinese Equestrian Federation have informed Equestrian.Com.My that Guangzhou has agreed to hold equestrian sports if health and quarantine issues can be sorted out in time.
This news was met with jubilation from riders who had previously read news reports that Guangzhou would not have equestrian sports in its Asiad.
The South Korean port city of Incheon yesterday won the right to host the 2014 Asian Games, fending off a challenge from New Delhi to hold the world's largest continental championships.
The news was greeted with delight in the equestrian world as Korea is an Asian and emerging world powerhouse in equestrian sports. Korea dominated the dressage event at the Doha Asian Games, and might have won further medals in eventing if the team had not pulled out of the rest of the event after their rider Hyun-Chil Kim was killed in the 3 Day Event. Their showjumping riders are very well respected having performed admirably at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
Korea are almost certain to include equestrian sports in the 2014 Incheon Asian Games.
It is the third time Korea has been picked following Seoul in 1986 and Busan in 2002.
Incheon bid leader Shin Yong-Suk was ecstatic as his team burst into raucous celebrations after months of lobbying and pledged the world would see the best ever Games in seven years' time.
"I am happy from the bottom of my heart," he said. "I promise that 2014 will be the most successful Games ever. This century is the century of Asia."
Incheon promised to raise $20-million to support Asian countries that have not yet won medals in the Asian Games. This could not be matched by New Delhi, its only competitor for the 2014 allocation.Australia hopes of competing in the Asian Games were dashed by the OCA, who said it would not be fair to Oceania. Shaikh Ahmad acknowledged the benefits Australia's inclusion might bring, but said they were outweighed by the damage it would do to Oceania's other sporting nations. The OCA President, who was re-elected to a fifth term in office, also encouraged Qatar to formalise its bid for the 2016 Olympics, joining Tokyo as the Asian nations in the race.
Meanwhile, 2010 Asian Games host city Guangzhou is said to be considering an about turn on equestrian sports. Sources close to the Chinese Equestrian Federation have informed Equestrian.Com.My that Guangzhou has agreed to hold equestrian sports if health and quarantine issues can be sorted out in time.
This news was met with jubilation from riders who had previously read news reports that Guangzhou would not have equestrian sports in its Asiad.
