THE Olympic Council of Asia has approved the new dates for the 6th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, which will now be held from Nov. 17 to 26, 2023 in the Thailand capital of Bangkok and in Chonburi Province with the city resort of Pattaya as the second main hub.
The approval was contained in a letter dated Oct. 20 and sent by acting OCA President Raja Randir Singh of India to Thailand Olympic Committee President Gen. Prawit Wongsuwon.
“The OCA fully understands and respects the decision of the NOC of Thailand, TAIMAGOC (Thailand Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games Organizing Committee and the Royal Thai government to postpone the 6th Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games to be held from 10th to 19th March 2021 due to the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic,” the letter said.
“The OCA is also very happy to confirm the new dates for the 6th AIMAG which will now be held from 17th to 26th of November 2023. Please be assured of our support and cooperation in organizing very successful 6th AIMAG in Bangkok and Chonburi in November 2023,” it added.
While the pandemic was cited as the reason for the postponement, Thailand was among the countries recently banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency for failing to comply with the WADA Doping Code, barring it from organizing and participating in major competitions until compliance is achieved.
A total of 29 sports and 290 events are scheduled to be played in the 6th AIMAG, whose previous edition was held in 2017 in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan featuring 21 sports and 348 events and drew a huge cast of 63 countries from Asia and Oceania.
Filipinos had their most successful campaign in the meet in the Turkmen capital, bringing home two gold, 14 silver and 14 bronze medals to wind up 19th overall in the medal standings.
