ASIAN GAMES [Syllabus: Miscellaneous (Sports)]

Context: Recently, in response to Indian sportspersons from Arunachal Pradesh being denied entry into the 19th Asian Games in China, the Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Sports canceled his planned visit to China for the Games.

Asian Games

• About: These are called the Asiad and are a continental multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from all over Asia. 
• Regulated by: Asian Games Federation (AGF) from 
• First Games were held: In New Delhi, India, until the 1978 Games. Asiad is the second largest sports gathering after the Olympics.
• Organized by:  Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), Since 1982.
• Host nations: Nine nations have hosted the Asian Games. 
• Participated: 46 nations have participated in the Games, including Israel, which was excluded from the Games after its last participation in 1974.
• Symbol: The Asian Games Movement uses symbols to represent the ideals embodied in the Asian Games charter. The Asian Games flag has four editions.
• Participation in all games: Only 7 countries, namely India, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Thailand.
• 18th Asian Games hosted: Indonesia.
• 19th Asian Games host: China.
• 20th Asian Games will be hosted by: Japan.