The much looked forward to Asian Games in Hangzhou, China has been postponed by a year after all arrangements were put in place for the event to be held in September.
The National Olympic Committee said the Games will not be held this year due to surge in the Covid 19 pandemic in China.
“The postponement was due to the Covid 19 pandemic and the Games will be held next year”, said National Olympic Committee president Suresh Subramaniam.
All systems were in place for the Sri Lankan contingent to take wing in September.
The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) said on Friday that the 19th Asian Games, originally scheduled to be held in Hangzhou, China from September 10 to 25, 2022, will be postponed.
The OAC said they will not be looking for any alternate venue and the Games will be held at the same venue next year.
“We were well prepared to deliver the Games on time. However, the decision to postpone the event was taken after carefully considering the pandemic situation and the size of the Games,” the OCA said.