Bids for the 2018 Asian Games explained

Main:YES
Winner:Indonesia
Election Venue:Incheon, South Korea
33rd OCA General Assembly
1Stbid:17 July 2014
Decision:19 September 2014
Asian Para Games:Yes

Three cities submitted bids to host the 2018 Asian Games that were recognized by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). The games were awarded to Hanoi, Vietnam. The other shortlisted city was Surabaya, Indonesia. This came after Dubai and the United Arab Emirates pulled out of the running at the last minute during the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) General Assembly meeting on November 8, 2012.[1]

Additionally, the Games were originally scheduled for 2018, but during the Olympic Council of Asia's General Assembly meeting in Singapore on July 3, 2009, the committee decided to move the Games to the year before the 2020 Summer Olympics, which means that the 18th Asian Games will be held in 2019.[2]

However, on April 17, 2014, the Vietnamese Government announced it was withdrawing from hosting the Games.[3]

On 19 September 2014, the Olympic Council of Asia executive board approved Indonesia as the host of the 2018 games.[4] [5] The Games were rescheduled from 2019 to 2018, since they will hold elections that year.[6] [7]

First selection

Host city selection

Three cities: Hanoi, Surabaya and Dubai were shortlisted by the OCA as candidate to host the Games. They were inspected by an evaluation committee led by Vice President Lt Gen (R) Syed Arif Hasan who is also President of the Pakistan Olympic Association from 3 to 9 October.[8] [9] On November 8, 2012, the final selection was announced in Macau. With only two cities after Dubai withdrawal, Hanoi was selected as host by 29 votes to 14.[10]

2018 Asian Games host city election
CityCountryVotes
Hanoi Vietnam29
Surabaya Indonesia14

Candidate cities

CityCountryNational Olympic CommitteeResult
HanoiVietnam Olympic CommitteeWinner
Vietnam officially launched the bid on June 7, 2011,[11] having previously hosted major sporting events including 2003 Southeast Asian Games and 2009 Asian Indoor Games and selected to host 2016 Asian Beach Games. The city emerged as the favourite after the government pledged to spend a million dollars on infrastructure development.[12]

The city of Hanoi proposed to have the 2019 Asian Games held in November, and the city estimated a budget between US$150 and 300 million for funding the Games. The athletes' village was planned to be located in Gia Lâm District, with a capacity of 11,000 people on 39ha.[13]

Surabaya IndonesiaNational Sports Committee of IndonesiaFirst runner-up
As claimed by committee, the nation was supported and offered by the Olympic Council of Asia to stage the Games.[14] [15] Surabaya is Indonesia's second-largest city after Jakarta with a population of over 2.7 million (5.6 million in the metropolitan area). Indonesia last hosted the Games back in 1962 in Jakarta. After the loss, Indonesian delegate members claimed the Hanoi's win was influenced by China's huge interest to the country. But as consolation, they were awarded the 2021 Asian Youth Games.[16]

Potential cities

Concerns and withdrawal

Previous Host City Spent
YearCityBillion
of Dollar
2002 Busan2.9
2006 Doha2.8
2010 Guangzhou20
2014 Incheon1.6
2018 Jakarta - Palembang3.0

In March 2014, lawmakers first raised concerns on whether US$150 million is a realistic budget for the Games, by referring to the amount spent by the previous host city, and claimed that the government may eventually spend over US$300 million. In addition, several stadiums built in conjunction with 2003 Southeast Asian Games were not utilised after the regional events.[27] Former chairman of Vietnam Olympic Committee Ha Quang Du also added that hosting the Asian Games would not boost tourism in Vietnam.[28]

However, on April 11, 2014, Vuong Bich Thang, head of the General Department of Sports and Physical Training, assured that 80% of the facilities are available and US$150 million is enough to host the Games. He added that no new athletes' village would be built, but instead hotels, dormitories, and residential quarters would be provided for participating athletes and officials.[29] The World Bank confirmed that there would be no loans for Vietnam for the purpose of building Asiad facilities.[30]

On April 17, 2014, Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung officially announced Hanoi's withdrawal from hosting the games. He cited unpreparedness and economic recession as the main reasons of the withdrawal, as they have left the country unable to afford the construction of facilities and venues.[3] Statistics imply that the majority of Vietnamese are happy with this decision.[31]

The OCA has announced that is no penalty will be imposed for the withdrawal.[32]

Second selection

Following Hanoi's withdrawal from hosting of the Games due to the country's financial problems, the second round of bidding was announced on 19 September 2014.

Host city selection

On July 25, 2014, during the meeting in Kuwait City, the OCA has appointed Jakarta as host of the Games. Jakarta will be supported by Palembang as the supporting host. The Indonesian capital city was chosen because it has well-equipped sport facilities as well as adequate transportation networks, and other facilities such hotels and lodgings for guests. The Games however, was said to be rescheduled a year earlier, shifted from originally planned 2019 to 2018, citing that in 2019 Indonesians will be preoccupied by their Presidential election, and Jakarta would only need a relatively minimal times to upgrade and renovate their existing sports facilities. The last time Indonesia and Jakarta host the games was in 1962.[33] [34]

Potential cities

The OCA has said that Indonesia, China and the United Arab Emirates are candidates for the replacement of Hanoi.[35] Several other countries were mentioned as potential replacements and some countries have been ruled out, as follows:

Interested

Considering

Cancelled

No intention

Notes and References

  1. News: Hanoi wins race to host 2019 Asian Games. https://archive.today/20130219043700/http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2012/11/8/sports/20121108190745&sec=sports. dead. 2013-02-19. 2012-11-08. The Star. 2012-11-08.
  2. News: 亚运会举办时间将推后一年 项目缩减至35个大项. 27 June 2010. gz2010.cn. 2009-07-04. Chinese. 2011-07-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20110723102642/http://www.gz2010.cn/09/0704/08/5DC6E68R0078000U.html. dead.
  3. News: Vietnam backs out as hosts of 2019 Asian Games. 17 April 2014. Reuters. 17 April 2014. 17 April 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140417235926/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/17/us-games-asia-vietnam-idUSBREA3G18H20140417. live.
  4. News: Asian Games: Indonesia to host Asiad in 2018, says OCA chief. 19 April 2014. Channel News Asia. September 19, 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140922001350/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sport/asian-games-indonesia-to/1370174.html. 22 September 2014.
  5. News: Jakarta confirmed as host city for 2018 Asian Games. Nick Butler. 17 September 2014. Inside the games.
  6. News: Setelah 1962, Jakarta Kembali Tuan Rumah Asian Games. Tjahjo Sasongko. 28 July 2014. Kompas.com. Indonesian. 29 July 2014.
  7. News: Asian Games set to be awarded to Jakarta - but in 2018 not 2019. Nick Butler. 17 September 2014. Inside the games.
  8. http://ocasia.asia/News/GetNewsbyNewsID?NewsId=3122 OCA Evaluation Committee visits Hanoi
  9. https://vietnamnews.vn/sports/230834/cities-vie-to-host-2019-asia-games.html Cities vie to host 2019 Asia Games
  10. News: Adamrah. Mustaqim. RI loses Asian Games bid to Vietnam. 2012-11-09. The Jakarta Post. 2012-11-09.
  11. News: Viet Nam launches Asian Games bid. 2011-06-07. asiaone. 2011-06-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20110610182932/http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest+News/Sports/Story/A1Story20110607-282791.html. 2011-06-10. dead.
  12. News: Hanoi wins right to host 2019 Asian Games. 2012-11-14. China Daily. 2012-11-09.
  13. https://issuu.com/insidethegames/docs/sporting-asia-edition-19-dec-2012 Sporting Asia - Edition 19 - Dec 2012
  14. News: Big chance for RI to host 2019 Asian Games: KONI. 2011-03-17. Jakarta Post. 2011-03-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20110322040422/http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/03/17/big-chance-ri-host-2019-asian-games-koni.html. 2011-03-22. dead.
  15. Web site: Menpora Terus Jajaki Kans Indonesia Gelar Asian Games 2019. 2012-02-06. 2012-01-26. detik sport. Indonesian.
  16. https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1011602/hanoi-awarded-2019-asian-games Hanoi awarded 2019 Asian Games
  17. Web site: 阿联酋迪拜正在考虑申办2018年亚运会. https://web.archive.org/web/20121107211114/http://news.xinhuanet.com/sports/2006-10/06/content_5172022.htm. dead. November 7, 2012. Xinhuanet. 2006-10-06. 2008-01-07.
  18. News: Tam. Aaron. Hanoi wins race to host 2019 Asian Games: officials. https://archive.today/20130127051345/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jGC0GGZ8VOz-TBKeA0kPpDELUooA?docId=CNG.ac5dd23b4cb60fe50b9a88f18598f36b.2b1. dead. January 27, 2013. 2012-11-09. AFP. 2012-11-09.
  19. News: Sambidge. Andy. UAE denies Asian Games 2019 vote pull-out. 2012-11-14. Arabian Business. 2012-11-09.
  20. News: 立法會否決申亞撥款. 14 January 2011. 明報. 2011-01-14. 2011-01-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20110117125215/http://hk.news.yahoo.com/article/110114/4/m883.html. dead.
  21. News: India Reportedly Keen To Bid For 2019 ASIAD. 27 June 2010. Yahoo! News Malaysia. 2010-06-26. Bernama.
  22. News: Indian government says no to bid for 2019 Asian Games. 2 August 2010. NDTV India. 2010-08-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20100805000601/http://www.ndtv.com/article/sports/government-says-no-to-bid-for-2019-asian-games-sources-41508. 5 August 2010. dead.
  23. News: Bids to host 2013 IOC congress, 2019 Asiad. 27 June 2010. New Sabah Times. 2010-01-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20150512052425/http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/35438. 2015-05-12. dead.
  24. News: Singh. Aftar. Commonwealth and Asian Games will not be held in same year. 2010-09-03. The Star. 2010-09-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20100904065239/http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=%2F2010%2F9%2F3%2Fsports%2F6970853&sec=sports. 2010-09-04. dead.
  25. News: Taipei to bid to host 2019 Asian Games. 2010-08-20. Radio Taiwan International. 2010-08-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20100824072822/http://english.rti.org.tw/Content/GetSingleNews.aspx?ContentID=108025. 2010-08-24. dead.
  26. News: Taipei withdrew Asian Games bid in March: councilor. 2012-11-07. Taipei Times. 2012-11-07.
  27. News: Vietnam lawmakers concerned by mounting cost of Asian Games. 26 March 2014. Thanh Nien News. 26 March 2014.
  28. News: Vietnam PM could pull plug on Asian Games. 15 April 2014. Thanh Nien News. 7 April 2014.
  29. News: 80% facilities to host 2019 Asiad available now in Vietnam. 15 April 2014. tuoitrenews.vn. 12 April 2014. 15 April 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140415004907/http://tuoitrenews.vn/sports/18974/80-facilities-to-host-2019-asiad-available-now-in-vietnam. dead.
  30. News: WB confirms no loans for Asiad facilities. 15 April 2014. Vietnamnet. 10 April 2014.
  31. News: Vietnamese hail PM’s decision to relinquish 2019 Asiad. 19 April 2014. Tuoi Tre. 17 April 2014.
  32. News: Asian Games: No penalty for Vietnam pullout, says OCA. 24 April 2014. Channel News Asia. 24 April 2014. 24 April 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140424161458/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sport/asian-games-no-penalty/1081772.html. dead.
  33. News: Setelah 1962, Jakarta Kembali Tuan Rumah Asian Games. Tjahjo Sasongko. 28 July 2014. Kompas.com. Indonesian. 29 July 2014.
  34. News: Jakarta confident of successful 2018 Asian Games but Indonesia admits they have to "work hard". Duncan Mackay. 21 September 2014. Inside the games.
  35. News: Thongsombat. Kittipong. Trio vying to host 2019 Asian Games. 30 April 2014. Bangkok Post. 30 April 2014.
  36. News: Indonesia favorite to take on 2019 Asiad. 19 April 2014. Shanghai Daily. 19 April 2014.
  37. News: Indonesia 'proud' to host 2019 Asiad if selected. 19 April 2014. The Times of India. 19 April 2014.
  38. News: Indonesia possible new host of 2019 Asian Games. Sun Xiaochen. China Daily. 12 May 2014. 13 May 2014.
  39. News: Indonesia Tuan Rumah Asian Games 2019?. 22 April 2014. DW. 21 April 2014.
  40. News: Indonesia May Replace Vietnam As Host of the 2019 Asian Games. Ami Afriatni. Jakarta Globe. 9 May 2014. 13 May 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140719235337/http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/sports/indonesia-may-replace-vietnam-host-2019-asian-games/. 2014-07-19. dead.
  41. News: Olympics official visit boosts Indonesia's 2019 Asiad bid. Asia One. May 7, 2014. 14 May 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20170425210942/http://news.asiaone.com/news/asia/olympics-official-visit-boosts-indonesias-2019-asiad-bid. 2017-04-25. live.
  42. Web site: Setelah PON, Jabar Bidik Asian Games 2019. 5 May 2014. Sportanews. Indonesian. 6 May 2014.
  43. News: Jakabaring Sport City Disiapkan Tuan Rumah Asian Games 2019. Era Baru Epoch Times. July 16, 2014. 22 July 2014. 28 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141228123502/http://erabaru.net/olahraga/9066-jakabaring-sport-city-disiapkan-tuan-rumah-asian-games-2019. dead.
  44. News: Setelah 1962, Jakarta Kembali Tuan Rumah Asian Games . Tjahjo Sasongko . 28 July 2014 . Kompas.com . Indonesian . 29 July 2014.
  45. News: Alinea. Eddie. POC bids to host next Asian Games. 5 September 2014. Manila Standard Today. 31 August 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141105131847/http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/08/31/poc-bids-to-host-next-asian-games. 5 November 2014. dead.
  46. News: Cordero. Abac. Peping wants Phl to bid for ’19 Asiad. 7 July 2014. philSTAR.com. 4 July 2014.
  47. News: Cordero. Abac. PSC upbeat on hosting 2019 Asiad. 7 July 2014. philSTAR.com. 5 July 2014.
  48. News: Cordero. Abac. POC to 'test waters' on Asiad hostings. 5 September 2014. ABS-CBN News. 11 August 2014.
  49. News: Shan. Shelley. Sports body says it has no interest in replacing Vietnam. 21 April 2014. Taipei Times. 21 April 2014.
  50. News: Shan. Shelly. Kaohsiung mulls bid to host 2019 Asian Games. 22 April 2014. Taipei Times. 22 April 2014.
  51. News: Costs of hosting Asian Games too high, say Malaysia. 19 April 2014. Reuters. 19 April 2014.
  52. News: Malaysia Has No Plan To Host Asian Games 2019. 19 April 2014. BERNAMA. 19 April 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20170425235301/http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v7/sp/newssports.php?id=1031960. 25 April 2017. dead.
  53. News: Dan Guen. Chin. Joint bid for Asian games mooted. 2 May 2014. TODAY. 2 May 2014.
  54. News: IOA serious about hosting 2019 Asian Games. 7 May 2014. The Hindu. 6 May 2014.
  55. News: Asian Games bid: IOA running out of time. 16 May 2014. Zee News India. 12 May 2014.
  56. News: Ganguly. Sudipto. India drops plans for late 2019 Asian Games bid. 7 July 2014. Reuters India. 7 July 2014.
  57. News: Lin Fhoong. Low. Myanmar cools talk of 2019 Asian Games bid. 29 April 2014. TODAY. 29 April 2014.
  58. News: 日本奥委会:专注奥运 无接管2019年亚运计划. 19 April 2014. QQ Sports. 18 April 2014.
  59. News: Mackay. Duncan. Potential cities to replace Hanoi as host of 2019 Asian Games slow to come forward. 19 April 2014. inside the games. 18 April 2014.
  60. News: Thailand holds off on Asian Games bid. 19 April 2014. Bangkok Post. 19 April 2014.