The stage is set for the 19th Asian Games Handball Competition, poised to commence tomorrow following a successful technical meeting held on September 22, 2023. The sporting extravaganza was officially declared open today at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium.
The road to this momentous occasion began with the Technical Meeting of the handball competition, held at the Press Room of Zhejiang Gongshang University Sports Centre on September 22, 2023, commencing at 16:00 hours.
Distinguished attendees included notable figures from the Asian Handball Federation (AHF), key representatives from participating teams, and prominent officials from the organising committee. Among the esteemed attendees were:
- AHF Secretary General, Muhammad Shafiq (Pakistan)
- AHF Treasurer, Bader Mohammed Al-Theyab (Kuwait)
- AHF Executive Director, Dr. Ahmad Abu Al-Lail (Kuwait)
- Handball Competition Manager of the 19th Asian Games, Guan Jian (P.R. China)
- Executive Deputy General Manager of the 19th Asian Games, Peng Ning (P.R. China)
- Chairman of the AHF Playing Rules and Referees Commission, Saleh Bin Ashour (United Arab Emirates)
- Chairwoman of the AHF Promotion and Public Relations Commission, Mitra Noorigollehjareh (I.R. Iran)
- AHF Assistant Technical Manager, Abdullah Jasem Al-Theyab (Kuwait)
For the men’s handball competition, the Zhejiang Gongshang University Sports Centre will serve as the primary venue, with only three matches scheduled to be held at the Zhejiang Normal University Xiaoshan Gymnasium.
In the preliminary group stage of the women’s handball competition, the action will unfold at the Zhejiang Normal University Xiaoshan Gymnasium. As the competition progresses to the knockout stage, the women’s matches will coincide with the men’s, creating an electrifying atmosphere at the Zhejiang Gongshang University Sports Centre.
Mark your calendars for the grand finale! The crowning moments of both the men’s and women’s competitions will unfold on October 5, 2023.
A Star-Studded Opening Ceremony
The grand opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games was a magnificent spectacle attended by numerous state leaders and international dignitaries. The games were officially declared open by the President of the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency Xi Jinping, in the presence of the Acting President of the Olympic Council of Asia, His Excellency Raja Randhir Singh. Among the distinguished guests were:
King of Cambodia, His Majesty Norodom Sihamoni
President of Syria, His Excellency Field Marshal Bashar al-Assad
Crown Prince of Kuwait, His Highness Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
Prime Minister of Nepal, The Right Honourable Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda
Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, His Excellency Xanana Gusmão
Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea, His Excellency Han Duck-soo
Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat of Malaysia, His Excellency Johari bin Abdul
President of Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien
President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
President of the Jordan Olympic Committee, His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Al Hussein
Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya of Thailand
President of the International Olympic Committee, His Excellency Dr. Thomas Bach (Germany)
Get ready to witness the pinnacle of handball excellence at the 19th Asian Games. The journey to glory begins tomorrow!
