Crowd crisis in Asian Games
The 17th edition of the Asian Games suffers from spectators’ crisis. Most of the disciplines are being held in almost empty stadiums and gymnasiums to the surprise of the organizers and the Olympic Council of Asia because the people of South Korean are generally recognized as sports oriented. Then what is the reason of empty stadiums and the gymnasiums?
About the reason of spectators’ aversion to the Asian Games, observers are saying that the Chinese juggernaut is one of the reasons. If a single nation captures about 50 percent of total gold medals, both spectators and athletes of other participating countries will also lose interest.
In 2002, an official of the South Korean contingent said, the Asian Games are gradually becoming monotonous because of the Chinese thrust. There is no solution of it in my hand.”
The statement is correct. China has already won 87 gold medals, 47 silver and 36 bronze compared with the hosts South Korea’s 31 gold, 37 silver and 34 bronze medals, and Japan’s 29 gold, 37 silver and 34 bronze medals. The rest of Asia captured 41 gold medals.
Regarding the success of China in this competition, the manager of the Indian contingent in 2002 said, “It is impossible to catch the Chinese.
The government picks up the talented boys and girls in their early ages, gives them extensive training, financial security and social status. But we do not do that.”
Ameer Hamzah
Dhaka
