OCA Director General Husain Al Musallam told a press conference in Muscat on Wednesday (July 14) that the 2010 Asian Beach Games would change the perception and standing of Oman in the sports world.

“The legacy of an Asian Games is important for the OCA,” he told the media after the Chefs de Mission Seminar for the 2nd Asian Beach Games Muscat 2010.

“I would like to mention that since 1913, from the first Oriental Games, to the Far East Games and West Asia Games, at this time we are very happy that the Asian Games have progressed to a very high standard. They leave a good legacy and memory from within the continent and also from a wider perspective, and now Asian countries are known for their excellent organisation of multi-sports events.”

OCA-MABGOC Joint Press Conference Panel

Captain Husain gave three examples: the Asian Games in Seoul, Korea, in 1986, leading to the Olympic Games two years later; the Asian Games in Beijing in 1990 leading to the Beijing Olympics in 2008; and the 2006 Asian Games in Doha which catapulted ambitious Qatar into a top-class world sports venue.

“We are very happy that the Asian Beach Games, after the closing ceremony, will leave a legacy and a benefit for the Omani people as a country that can host a big multi-sports event in the future.”

Captain Husain declared the OCA “very satisfied” with the progress of organising committee MABGOC for the 14-sport, December 8-16 beach festival.

“There are a lot of challenges that have to be met, and through our coordination with MABGOC we can assure you that these challenges will be solved and fixed.”