The "greatest ever" Asian Games will be held next month in China's Hangzhou city, according to acting Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Head Randhir Singh.
Singh, while talking to Reuters on Friday, insisted that OCA's internal issues will not affect the continental event.
It must be noted that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) refused to recognise OCA’s elections last month and asked India's Singh to continue as its acting president.
Kuwait's Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah was banned for three years by the IOC for his "undeniable impact" in the OCA elections in which his brother, Sheikh Talal Fahad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, was appointed president of the continental body.
Former Olympic skeet shooter Singh first took charge as acting president of the OCA in 2021 when Sheikh Ahmad resigned as president after being convicted by a Swiss criminal court of forgery. However, Sheikh Ahmad has denied any wrongdoing.
"The OCA election has nothing to do with the organisation of the Games," Singh said about the Games, which could not take place last year because of COVID-19 restrictions in China.
"Hangzhou was all ready to host it last year itself. Venues are ready, everything is in place, and I'm sure we are going to see the greatest ever Asian Games."
Singh, who is in charge of the coordination committee for the Asian Games, said it was premature to talk about the next OCA elections.
"Right now, we have to go by what the IOC instructs us. We have to go by the Olympic Charter and ethics is the most important aspect of it,” he said.
"After the IOC completes its review and submits report, we'll get an idea when to hold the next OCA election."
The Games in Hangzhou will be held from September 23 to October 8.
305 members will be part of the Pakistan contingent for the Asian Games, which includes 157 men and 59 female athletes. 68 officials will also be part of the group.
Pakistan will be participating in Archery, Athletics, Bridge, Badminton, Boxing, Cricket, Climbing, E-sports, Fencing, Golf, Hockey, Kabbadi, Karate, Rowing, Sailing, Shooting, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Taekwondo, Table Tennis, Volleyball, Weightlifting, Wrestling and Wushu.
Some major sports from which Pakistan will be missing are Judo, Equestrian, Baseball, Football and Gymnastics. Pakistani athletes will miss participating in these sports due to funding issues and delays in confirming entries