Asian Games Fun Run on Wednesday

The Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) is set to hold the Asian Games Fun Run in Dhaka on Wednesday aiming to promote and raise awareness about the upcoming Asian Games. 

Since its inception in 2004, The Fun Run has been organised jointly by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and Asian Games organising committee in different countries as it plays a key role in promoting the event, while also raising the spirit for games far and wide leading up to the Asian multi-discipline extravaganza. 

It is the second time that the BOA in association with OCA and the Asian Games organising committee has taken the initiative to hold the Fun Run which will see friendly running competitions at the Paltan ground after the completion of a procession.

"130 days are left for the start of the (Asian) Games and it is a very important day for which we have come to Bangladesh to celebrate and promote the 19th Asian Games. I like to thank OCA and the organizing committee for organizing the Fun Run in Bangladesh," Jian Zhou, director of media and broadcast, said at a press conference at the BOA auditorium on Tuesday.

Deputy Director of the Finance Department of the Hangzhou Organising Committee Sanshan Meng said, "With the Asian Games Fun Run here in Dhaka about to start, on behalf of the Hangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee, I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to the OCA, the Bangladesh Olympic Association and all friends in the community who have been following and supporting our preparations for the Hangzhou Asian Games. I would also like to extend a warm welcome to all those taking part in the Fun Run."

Meng also revealed information about the logistics of the competition saying that 54 venues will be allocated for the competition, including 31 training venues for 61 disciplines and 483 events. There will be a Games Village and five sub-villages for the athletes and officials, and according to the deputy director, about 38,000 volunteers were recruited.

"The Asian Games Fun Run is being held here in Dhaka and it symbolises the good relations between our two great cities and will help spread joy and hope across Asia, enhance friendship among people in countries and regions around Asia, and increase public interest in the Hangzhou Asian Games," said Meng.

BM Saif, member secretary of Asian Games Fun Run in Bangladesh, said, "Some 700 athletes, organisers, officials and BKSP students are expected to take part in the Fun Run Rally starting from Bangladesh Shishu Academy at 7:30 am before ending at Sheikh Russel Roller Skating Complex adjacent to Bangabandhu National Stadium."

Bangladesh contingent's Chef De Mission AK Sarker informed that a friendly run competition would also be held after the rally and the winners would be awarded commemorative medals and mascots of the Asian Games, which is scheduled to be held in Hangzhou, China from September 23 to Oct 8.

BOA secretary general Syed Shahed Reza handed over a crest to the visiting Jian Zhou and Sanshan Meng who also gave away the commemorative medals, and mascots to Reza.