On February 24, President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad al-Sabah arrived in Tashkent. The honored guest was welcomed at the Tashkent International Airport named after Islam Karimov by AIBA President Gafur Rakhimov, officials of the NOC headed by the President of the organization Umid Akhmadjonov and media representatives.

Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad is also a Kuwaiti politician and sports administrator. He is currently a member of the International Olympic Committee and president of the Asian Handball Federation. Sheikh Ahmad had served as the Minister of Information of Kuwait in 2000, the Minister of Oil Industry in 2001, the President of the Kuwaiti Olympic Committee, the OPEC Secretary General in 2005 and Chief of the Kuwaiti State Security Service in 2006.

During an exclusive interview with Kun.uz correspondent, he spoke about Uzbekistan’s opportunity to host the following Asian Games, political disputes surrounding the sport and the hockey “returning” to Central Asia.

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- Assalamu Alaikum, Sheikh Ahmad, we are glad to see you in Uzbekistan.

- Thank you very much, I'm glad to be back in your country as a guest.

- What are the plans of the Asian Olympic Council regarding Uzbekistan?

- Uzbekistan, especially Tashkent, has been playing an important role in promoting sports in Asia since the early years of independence. As well as the country's first president, current leader Shavkat Mirziyoyev is also paying special attention to youth and sports issues. Therefore, official Tashkent has always been active in this direction. Uzbek athletes, including boxers, wrestlers and footballers regularly participate in the Asian Games with efficient results.

In our continent, Central Asia is becoming an important region. In this regard, we will continue to work in Tashkent with a bit of ideas about the future of Asian sports and work with the newly elected President of the National Olympic Committee Umid Akhmadjonov. At the meetings, preparations for participation of Uzbekistan in international sports events, as well as issues of organizing international competitions in Uzbekistan will be considered.

I think that Uzbekistan is now ready to host one of the largest sports events. In Central Asia, only Kazakhstan hosted the Winter Asian Games. Therefore, Uzbekistan can also organize such events. This issue will also be discussed during our planned meetings with the President of Uzbekistan.

- How do you estimate the opportunity to host the Asian Games by Tashkent and Samarkand?

- I consider that Uzbekistan is ready to host the Asian Games. Conclusion of the experts of the Asian Olympic Council and the NOC of Uzbekistan, as well as development of sports by the support and efforts of the President of Uzbekistan – all these factors make us conclude that Tashkent and Samarkand are ready to host Asian Games.

- We see a rapid development of sports in the Asian continent. What factors contribute to such development?

- The fact is that sports development at the international level has begun in Asia earlier. All major sports competitions are organized in high spirit, with high demand. Solidarity and stability of our continent greatly contribute to the development of sports. The latest Olympics were also held in Asia, in Pyongyang (the Winter Olympics in 2018). In addition, Beijing hosted major Olympic Games, while Tokyo is waiting for us for the next games. All these are happening in Asia! The 2022 FIFA World Cup is expected to be held in Doha. Solidarity and good relations between nations, stable functioning of our organization, attempting to make sports free of politics makes Asia a leading continent in sports.

- If we talk about the success of Uzbek boxers, I think we should pay attention to another issue. AIBA has been at risk for the Tokyo Olympics. How do you react to this situation?

- We are closely observing the relationship between the IOC and AIBA. We are confident that AIBA and IOC will sooner find a solution to this issue and improve the situation. Boxing is an important part of sporting events and I believe that boxing will be included in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

- Soon, the Ice Palace “Humo” will open in Uzbekistan. Hockey, which has been inactive for a while, is returning to Uzbekistan. Do you believe, in general, in the hockey’s success in Asia?

- Of course, Asia is a leader in hockey. The International Hockey Federation is headed by President of the Olympic Association of India Narinder Batra. India, Pakistan and Korea are leading countries in hockey. Not only recent results, but also in the long history of sports Asia has become a leading hub for hockey. I am very glad that hockey returns to Central Asia in the example of Uzbekistan. I remember, tennis became more popular in the 90s of the last century and Uzbekistan hosted international tennis tournaments. In my view, there is enough infrastructure and organizational motivation for developing hockey in your country.

- I would like to ask about some political disputes around the sport. Among Arabic countries, in other parts of Asia, political disagreements have also been reflected in sports. Should sports have no political involvements?

- As a President of the Olympic Council of Asia, we seek to avoid politics in sports. This problem is not just among the Arabian states, but also in the case of political conflicts between South and North Korea, India and Pakistan, Iran and Iraq, as well as Cambodia and Thailand. Because Asia is an ancient continent and it has deep roots in all relationships. Nevertheless, thanks God, the participation of the states in all sports games is fully ensured, no boycotts occurred. Representatives of different nations live in one Olympic village. In my opinion, political problems will have solutions through sports.

- It's always interesting to Uzbek fans: will “belbogli kurash” (“belt wrestling”) be included in Asian Games?

“The Coordination Committee has just reached Danzhou on the same matter. Of course, inclusion of the wrestling in this list is also great success. I think, this issue should be resolved in the work of the General Assembly. The entry of “Belbogli kurash” into the Asian Games can be considered at the General Assembly in 2020.

- Shaykh al-Sabah, we hope you will find great strength in advancement and development of the Asian Olympic Council and achieve good results in future. At meetings with the Uzbek authorities, we would like you to have meaningful conversations and wish you the desired results.

- Thank you for a meaningful conversation. We are glad to see the results of Uzbek athletes. We want to achieve a long-term commitment and desired results.