By Kristel Satumbaga
Organizers of the 6th Asian Beach Games have decided to postpone the event to April 2 to 10 next year due to the ongoing pandemic.
In a letter to National Olympic Committees across the region, organizing committee deputy secretary general Zhou Jun said the safety and health of the athletes are their top priorities although the pandemic in host city and the entire Hainan Province in China have already been contained.
“As you know, we always attach significance to the health of all athletes as well as the safe operation of the Games especially when the COVID-19 pandemic is still yet to contain in the global community,” Zhou said.
Zhou also said the decision was made after serious consideration and in-depth discussion with the Olympic Council of Asia and the Chinese Olympic Committee.
The multisport event is initially scheduled Nov. 28 to Dec. 6 in four cluster venues: in Tianya, Haitang, Jiyang Yazhou Districts.
The event features 19 sports in 22 disciplines with 93 gold medals at stake.
In the previous edition held in Danang, Vietnam, Filipino athletes went home with two gold, four silver and 15 bronze medals.
The two gold medalists were jiu jitsu fighters Meggie Ochoa and Annie Ramirez.
