November 29, 2005
DOHA (AFP) - Qatar will begin testing its preparedness for next year's Asian Games when the Third West Asian Games get underway here on Thursday.
Billed as the largest event in the short history of the West Asian Games, the 10-day extravaganza will for the first time feature women who will be allowed to take part in the swimming, athletics, shooting and bowling competitions.
Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates are the 13 countries participating in the regional sporting gala that features 11 sports.
Although only about 1400 athletes will be represented at the event, compared to the more than 10,000 participants expected at next year's continental games, local authorities are keen showcase the country's organisational capabilities to the rest of the world.
The Qatar National Olympic Committee (QNOC), the Doha Asian Games organising Committee (DAGOC) and the West Asian Games Organising Committee (WAGOC) are all working in close cooperation to ensure the success of the event.
"DAGOC and WAGOC have come together with a special plan and a comprehensive strategy to use the West Asian Games as a test event for next year's Asian Games," said Games spokesman Abdulla Al Mulla.
"All aspects related to training, organisation and logistics will be rehearsed and evaluated during the course of the West Asian Games," added Al Mulla who is also director of international relations and protocol at DAGOC.
The opening ceremony will take place on Thursday at the Qatar Sports Club, one of the many venues in Qatar given a totally new look for the Asian Games.
The newly-opened sports dome, the largest of its kind in the world, will also host some competitions.
The West Asian Games were initially conceived as a biennial show but after the inaugural event in Tehran in 1997 it ran into problems with the result that the frequency was changed to once every four years.
It is one of a slew of multi-sports events outside the Olympics and the Asian Games in which regional countries regularly take part.
These events include the Arab Games, the Afro-Asian Games, the Islamic Games and even the indoor Asian Games held this month in Thailand.
The second edition of the West Asian Games was held in 2002 in Kuwait and Qatar would have hosted the event next year had it not clashed with the Asian Games.
More than 8500 staff, volunteers and contractors will be pressed into service, making the event the biggest undertaking of its kind ever to be organised in Qatar.
Although the Asian Games Athletes Village is almost ready, teams taking part in the West Asian Games will be put up at more than 26 hotels, towers and residential compounds.
Further, to ensure the smooth running of the event, about 500 vehicles will be deployed to provide transportation to the athletes.
Qatar, which has always been in the forefront in the Arab world when it comes to making path-breaking decisions, has promised to deliver the best ever Asian Games next year and is keen to ensure a smooth dress rehearsal.
"The 3rd West Asian Games will boost Qatar's position as an international hub for hosting major sporting events and showcase the top-tier facilities of the country," said Al Mulla.
Swimming, athletics, bowling, fencing, football, gymnastics, handball, shooting, volleyball, weightlifting and basketball will feature in the Games.
Kuwait topped the 2002 West Asian Games when it hosted them, bagging a total of 72 medals including 31 golds while Saudi Arabia was a distant second with a haul of 26 medals.
Qatar finished in fifth position with eight gold medals but is expected to put up an impressive display in front of its home supporters, especially in athletics and bowling.
Meanwhile, the football competition suffered a blow when the United Arab Emirates pulled out of the event. The first match of the Games between Kuwait and Qatar will be played after Thursday's opening ceremony.