OCA approves Tokyo 2016 bid for Summer Games

The Olympic Council of Asia's 28th General Assembly in Singapore has resulted in the unanimous approval of Tokyo's 2016 bid for the Summer Games. At the meeting, the OCA also decided to drop the number of events at the Asian Games from 42 to 35 starting with the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.

The OCA's decision to approve Tokyo's bid hadn't all been smooth sailing. The council had earlier threatened to withdraw their support for Tokyo early last year citing differences of opinion with the Japanese.

But on Friday, it was all smiles and handshakes as OCA president Sheikh Ahmad Fahad Al-Sabah became the first to congratulate Tokyo governor Shintaro Ishihara.

Sheikh Ahmad Fahad Al-Sabah, OCA President said "I believe they are doing a very great job. Everybody is working hard for the success for their fight. Here in Asia we are having open support. But always in Asia, we will be happy to have an Asian city like Tokyo."

Tokyo is in a battle with Chicago, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro to win the right to host the 2016 Olympic Games. The IOC will decide who becomes the winning city later this year in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Tsunekazu Takeda, JOC President said "Thanks you very much. I am very, very happy that the president, Sheikh Amhad, the president of the OCA he declared for our, support for the Tokyo 2016. I am very grateful. I am very happy of it."

The OCA would cut their Asian Games events from 42 to 35, including the 28 Olympic sports and an additional seven non-Olympic sports, starting from the Incheon Games in 2014.

Raja Randhir Singh, OCA Secretary General said "We're not dropping them. Those that are not on this programme (Asian Summer Games) will be in the Indoor. There are some that will go to Indoor, some will be shifted to the Beach Games. All the sports will remain. The same for the sports will be, but they will be shifted to different Games."

The GA also decided that Asian Games will be held one year before the next Summer Olympics instead of two at present.