In the presence of President al-Assad and First Lady,Mrs. Asma al-Assad, the 19th Asian Games opened in China’s Hangzhou

Hangzhou, SANA-In the presence of President Bashar al-Assad and First Lady,Mrs. Asma al-Assad, the 19th Asian Games was officially opened on Saturday in China’s Hangzhou.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, a number of presidents of states, international sports officials, and heads of participating delegations, in addition to eighty thousand spectators attended the opening ceremony.

The Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium is lighted during the opening ceremony ,in addition to a parade of participating sports delegations.

The Acting President of the Olympic Council of Asia, Raja Randhir Singh highlighted the efforts of the Organizing Committee for the Asian Games through its preparations for the continental sports festival.

Head of the Syrian sports delegation participating in the Asian Games indicated that the Syrian athletes will compete in the individual games, expressing confidence in them to achieve an important achievement in the competitions.

A total of 12,000 athletes from 45 countries will be in action in 40 sports at the continental meet.

This is the 11th participation of Syria in the Asian tournaments, which were first organized in New Delhi, India, in 1951.

Syrian participation in the Asian tournaments began in 1978 in the Thai city of Bangkok.

Syria participates in five games with athletes Ahmad Ghassoun and Muhammad Melis competing in boxing , Maan Asaad in weightlifting, Omar Sarem and Naal Barazi in wrestling , Majd al-Din Ghazal in high jump ,and Ahamad Hamshu and Omro Hamshu in equestrianism.

The Asian Games will continue until October 8th, 2023.

Fedaa al-Rahiya/Shaza Qreima