'We are the Games for all Asian people'

The diversity of the Asian Games is the event's biggest strength, reckons Wei Jizhong, honorary life vice-president of the OCA.

"We are the Games for all Asian people, in all countries and regions. So the Asian Games are open to all NOC members of the OCA," he said. "This means our Games are not only concentrated on elite sports, but all the sportspeople and sports lovers in Asia are welcomed into our family."

Known as the world's largest sporting gala in scale, the Asian Games will open a new chapter in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province, on Saturday. About 12,417 athletes are ready to compete in 481 medal events.