JABAR EKSPRES —The Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games Organizing Committee (HAGOC) has prepared 56 venues for the quadrennial Games to be held in the capital of China’s Zhejiang Province on September 23-October 8, 2023.

“A total of 56 venues will be used for the Asian Games and Asian Paragames in Hangzhou,” HAGOC Secretary General, Chen Weiqiang, told a press briefing in Beijing, on Thursday (27/4).

A total of 12 arenas are new buildings, 26 arenas are renovated, nine arenas are expanded, and nine others are temporary arenas.

In addition, HAGOC also prepared 31 training venues, one Asian Games Village area, and five Asian Games sub-village areas.

In addition to Hangzhou, the 19th Asian Games arena is also spread across five cities in Zhejiang Province, namely Ningbo, Wenzhou, Huzhou, Shaoxing, and Jinhua.

“Everything has received support from the OCA (Olympic Council of Asia),” said Chen, who is also Deputy Mayor of Hangzhou.

According to him, the sports arenas prepared for the Asian Games have a Green, Smart, Economical and Ethical concept.

“The 56 arenas and 31 training centers have been completed since April 2022,” he said.

The Hangzhou Asian Games were actually held on September 10-25, 2022. But because China is still hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, the biggest sports party in Asia has been postponed one year to September 23-October 8, 2023.

The event is expected to be attended by around 10,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions in Asia.

Delegations from several participating countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Japan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan have visited Hangzhou to see preparations for the Asia Games.

“We will act professionally by serving whatever the participants request, including transportation facilities and food for the athletes,” Chen added.