The 17th Asian Games kicks off in the western port city of Incheon on Friday for a 16-day run with the attendance of about 14,500 athletes and delegates from 45 countries throughout the continent.
Incheon is the third South Korean city to host the quadrennial event ― after Seoul in 1986 and Busan in 2002. Still, organizing officials, with the help of about 13,500 volunteer workers, are tasked with making it as successful as ever to contribute to enhancing friendship and reconciliation across the continent, which has been plagued by religious, ethnic and territorial disputes.
In this context, the opening ceremony will stage various performances designed to call on all Asians to come together under the theme of “Dream of 4.5 Billion People, One Asia.” All 45 members of the Olympic Council of Asia are participating in the Incheon Asiad, befitting the spirit of the continent’s largest sports festival.
To our regret, it seems that public interest in the event still remains low on its opening day. Ticket sales have fallen far short of those for the two previous Asian Games held in the country.
This lukewarm atmosphere may be attributed partly to the prolonged economic sluggishness and the sober mood of society following the April 16 ferry disaster. Organizing officials have also failed to do their utmost to publicize the event in the past weeks.
It cannot be too late to redouble efforts to draw more attention and support to the Incheon Asiad so that it will be held in a festive mood right through to its closing day. What is required of a hosting country’s people is to pack stadiums and gymnasiums to cheer athletes on to perform to their fullest capabilities.
Efforts also need to be made to provide foreign residents here with more opportunities to enjoy the sports festival.
The absence of the North Korean cheerleaders may be somewhat disappointing for organizing officials and spectators. Their visit may have helped boost interest in the event. Seoul and Pyongyang should have exercised more wisdom to solve the matter of paying the cost for their stay here.
But the participation of the North’s 273-member delegation, including 150 athletes, is expected to help ease the strained ties between the two Koreas. It is encouraging that a cheering squad comprising civic group members in Incheon has been more than ready to support North Korean athletes. In addition, more than 4,000 young Koreans have formed support groups for each of the other participating countries, promising to make the Incheon Asiad more lively and interactive.
All these efforts will hopefully result in each and every participant building friendships and leaving with unforgettable memories.
