With a record 45 participating nations, 39 sports and 423 events, Doha 2006 is expected to be the largest and most spectacular Asian Games ever. Shawki Saadeddin reports from Doha When the All-Asia Games starts tomorrow, Qatar will have become the first Arab nation to host the championship. These world games, held every four years in between the Olympic Games, develop intercultural knowledge and friendship within Asia. The member countries and regions affiliated to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) participate in this multi-sports event. The Asian Games have come a long way since the concept was formalised in New Delhi in 1949. When they open in the Qatari capital Doha tomorrow, more than a projected three billion TV viewers will be watching 13,500 athletes and officials from 45 countries as they compete in 39 sports, making it the biggest Asian Games ever. The sports, in 46 disciplines, comprise soft tennis, archery, equestrian endurance, artistic gymnastics, fencing, softball, athletics, football, squash, badminton, golf, swimming, baseball, handball, synchronised swimming, basketball, hockey, table tennis, beach volleyball, indoor volleyball, taekwondo, bodybuilding, judo, tennis, bowling, kabaddi, trampoline, boxing, karate, triathlon, canoe, kayak, rhythmic gymnastics, water polo, chess, rowing, weightlifting, cue sports, rugby, wrestling, cycling, sailing, wushu, diving, sepaktakraw, equestrian and shooting. In contrast, the first Asian Games in Delhi, India, in 1951 attracted just 11 countries in six sports. The second Asian Games in Manila, Philippine in 1954 highlighted the tournament's growth, with eight additional countries, bringing the tally of nations to 19. Although cycling was dropped, there were now eight sports on the programme, with the addition of boxing, shooting and wrestling. Four years later in Tokyo, the numbers had swollen to 1,422 athletes, with tennis, volleyball, table tennis, cycling and hockey taking the sports tally to 13. It was also the first- time appearance of a torch relay took place, adding a ceremonial flair to the events. Political unrest in Indonesia in 1962 saw the Jakarta games reduced, dropping to 16 countries, but by 1966 the momentum was back again and the Bangkok Games were a big success. New ground was broken when Tehran was selected to host the 7th Asian Games in 1974. It was the largest Asian Games at the time with 25 countries and regions taking part, and the first time it was held in the Middle East. Fencing and gymnastics were added and for the 7th consecutive Asian Games, Japan finished top of the medals table. Back to Bangkok in 1978, archery and bowling were added where the number of competitors reached 3,800 athletes. The 9th Asian Games in 1982 returned to its roots in New Delhi for the biggest Asian Games in history with more than 4,500 competitors from 33 countries and regions. Seoul, capital of South Korea used the 1986 Asian Games as preparation for hosting the 1988 Olympic Games and for the first time the Games came under the control of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) as media interest began to increase. In acknowledgment of China's rise, Beijing hosted the 11th Asian Games in 1990 with 37 countries and regions in 27 events. Hiroshima's hosting of the Games four years later signaled the first time they were not held in a capital city and with 6, 828 athletes from 42 countries involved. The Asian Games returned to Thailand for the fourth time in 1998 as rugby, billiards, snooker, and squash were added. China, Korea and Japan maintained their supremacy in the medal stakes. With 44 countries and regions involved, the 14th Asian Games in Busan, capital of South Korea, featured 38 sports and 420 events. Now, in Doha, Qatar, the Doha Asian Games Organising Committee, led by Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, president of the Qatar National Olympic Committee and head of the higher organising Committee of Doha 2006 is operating at full speed to ensure that Doha will be remembered as the "Games of your life". The torch has travelled a relay of 50,000 kilometres to 15 countries in 50 days before returning to Doha, where it will officially light up the Games in what is expected to be a spectacular opening ceremony tomorrow.
