2003 Afro-Asian Games

History

The idea to hold an inter-continental sporting event between Asia and Africa was initiated in April 1983, with New Delhi as the proposed venue. However, for unknown circumstances, the venue was shifted to Kuwait and the Games were proposed to be held in 1985.{{cite news |access-date=2022-07-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214536/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20031018/spr-trib.htm |archive-date=2016-03-03 |url-status=live

In 1999, a proposal for the renewal of the Games was accepted. Subsequently, Pune and then New Delhi were proposed as venues. However, they were postponed till November 2001.{{cite web |access-date=2009-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104070637/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2003/11/27/stories/2003112700030400.htm |archive-date=2012-11-04 |url-status=dead |access-date=2009-05-30 |access-date=2009-05-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604141740/http://www.hindu.com/2002/05/09/stories/2002050903152100.htm |archive-date=2011-06-04 |url-status=dead

Preparation

The Indian Government spent 1.03 billion (US$22.92 million), for the Afro-Asian Games, making these Games one of the most expensive sporting events held in Hyderabad. All preparations were completed within 60 days before the events began.

General preparation

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) decided to set up a central head of the development for the Games. Thus, the Afro-Asian Games Secretariat was set up at the Greenlands Guest House to organize, monitor and manage all the activities related to the Games. 17 functional organizing sub-committees were formed to oversee the development of the venues and other infrastructure.{{cite web |access-date=2009-05-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604141753/http://www.hindu.com/2003/09/25/stories/2003092500911900.htm |archive-date=2011-06-04 |url-status=dead |access-date=2010-03-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615141810/http://www.financialexpress.com/news/ap-out-of-bounds-for-business-visitors-during-afroasian-games/95766 |archive-date=2013-06-15 |url-status=live |access-date=2010-03-18

A large development Planning Association meant a great amount of inter-connectivity and communication requirements. A 24-hour call centre with interpreters was set up, using a Closed User Group (CUG) circuit.

A large "web" of networking facilities was built to connect all the hotels, media centres, stadia and Transportation Committees. This would help in easing pressure on any one committee. Since the African continent is not very well-connected, an Accreditation Committee was dispatched to Abuja - in Nigeria - the host city of the 2003 All-Africa Games. The Accreditation committee brought all sports-persons and officials from Africa to Hyderabad.

Technology

The software company CMC Limited had developed a Games and Event Management System (GEMS),{{cite web |access-date=2009-11-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003074633/http://www.thehindubusinessline.in/2003/10/26/stories/2003102601140200.htm |archive-date=2012-10-03 |url-status=live |access-date=2009-11-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615074247/http://www.financialexpress.com/news/andhra-to-sport-its-tech-prowess-at-afroasian-games/89025 |archive-date=2013-06-15 |url-status=live

Transport

In the month of September, less than a month away from the Afro-Asian Games, the Transport Ministry of Hyderabad released a large number of luxury vehicles, to be used in the Games. It was the second time in the span of one year that the Transport Ministry had done so - the first time being for the 32nd National Games of India.{{cite web |access-date=2009-07-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604141803/http://www.hindu.com/2003/09/26/stories/2003092611660300.htm |archive-date=2011-06-04 |url-status=dead

Accommodation===

Main article: Accommodation for the 2003 Afro-Asian Games

Accommodation of the athletes and foreign officials posed a serious problem to the organisers. Contrary to what the Olympics and related multi-sport events provide, no actual Games Village was available for the athletes to stay.{{cite web |access-date=2009-12-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714091220/http://beta.mid-day.com/news/2003/oct/67163.htm |archive-date=2011-07-14 |access-date=2009-12-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604141834/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2003/10/02/stories/2003100200990400.htm |archive-date=2011-06-04 |url-status=dead

Security

About 1400 police personnel were drawn from various districts of Andhra Pradesh to provide the first layer of security. In addition to this, over 5000 city policemen were deployed in various places, including the event venues and all the major hotels of the city.{{cite web |access-date=2009-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100606075608/http://www.rediff.com/sports/2003/oct/18aag.htm |archive-date=2010-06-06 |url-status=live

To facilitate foreign athletes and officials, four immigration counters were set up at the airport. A time limit of 30 minutes was laid down to clear any athlete or official. To improve security speed, six interpreters of Russian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Korean, French and Arabic were present at the airport. In addition, 24 specially trained immigration personnel were stationed round the clock in the airport.

Pressure on Organizing Committee

There was a lot of pressure upon the Secretariat for the smooth performance of these Games, as the IOA would keenly observe the Afro-Asian Games, in preparation for the 2010 Commonwealth Games at Delhi, India. Also, officials from Beijing, China - the venue of 2008 Summer Olympics - and Doha, Qatar - the host of 2006 Asian Games - would attend the Afro-Asian Games, and keenly observe the way the Games functioned.

However, hosting of the Games was not the only major issue for the committee. The Afro-Asian Games would see the participation of various nations which are not in good terms with some other nations. The then Prime Minister of India, Atal Behari Vajpayee, had hinted that "some nations might withdraw from the Games, rather than get embroiled in international conflicts".{{cite web |access-date=2009-05-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604141858/http://www.hindu.com/2001/09/16/stories/07160966.htm |archive-date=2011-06-04 |url-status=dead

Marketing

;Logo

The logo of the Afro-Asian Games was the Charminar - Hyderabad's most famous landmark - surrounded by a string of pearls. Hyderabad is also famous for its pearls. The official logo of the Games was unveiled, along with the official website, by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on 3 September 2003.{{cite web |access-date=2009-07-09

;Mascot

The Mascot for these Games was Sheroo, also spelt Sheru, a cartoon lion. Subsequently, a variation of the name 'Sheroo', called 'Shera', was also given for the mascot of the 2010 Commonwealth Games.{{cite web |access-date=2009-10-11 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091016211511/http://www.topendsports.com/events/commonwealth-games/mascots.htm| archive-date= 16 October 2009 | url-status= live}}

;Sponsorships

Several Indian corporates such as Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), GVK Group and State Bank of Hyderabad provided sponsorships worth INR 10 million each towards the staging of several events of the inaugural Games. Several other corporates such as Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Videocon and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) also contributed to the Games.{{cite web |access-date=2010-02-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003074639/http://www.thehindubusinessline.in/2003/10/24/stories/2003102401591700.htm |archive-date=2012-10-03 |url-status=live

Participating countries

The First Afro-Asian Games were the first time that Asia and Africa came together for such a large event. 43 Asian and 53 African nations participated in this sporting event.

Below is a list of all the participating countries in the Inaugural Afro-Asian Games.

• Afghanistan
• Algeria
• Angola
• Bahrain
• Bangladesh
• Benin
• Bhutan
• Botswana
• Brunei
• Burkina Faso
• Burundi
• Cambodia
• Cameroon
• Cape Verde
• Central African Republic
• Chad
• People's Republic of China (108){{cite web |access-date=2010-03-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100125034333/http://www.chinaembassy.org.in/eng/wh/t61257.htm |archive-date=2010-01-25 |url-status=live
• Chinese Taipei
• Comoros
• Republic of the Congo
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Djibouti
• Egypt
• Ethiopia
• Equatorial Guinea
• Eritrea
• Gabon
• Gambia
• Ghana
• Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Hong Kong
• India (host)
• Indonesia
• Iraq
• Côte d'Ivoire
• Japan
• Jordan
• Kazakhstan
• Kenya
• Kuwait
• Kyrgyzstan
• Laos
• Lebanon
• Lesotho
• Liberia
• Libya
• Madagascar
• Malaysia
• Malawi
• Maldives
• Mali
• Mauritania
• Mauritius
• Mongolia
• Morocco
• Mozambique
• Myanmar
• Namibia
• Nepal
• Niger
• Nigeria
• North Korea
• Oman
• Pakistan
• Palestine
• Philippines
• Qatar
• Rwanda
• São Tomé and Príncipe
• Saudi Arabia
• Sierra Leone
• Senegal
• Seychelles
• Singapore
• Somalia
• South Africa
• South Korea
• Sri Lanka
• Sudan
• Swaziland
• Syrian Arab Republic
• Tajikistan
• United Republic of Tanzania
• Thailand
• Togo
• Tunisia
• Turkmenistan
• Uganda
• United Arab Emirates
• Uzbekistan
• Vietnam
• Yemen
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

Venues

The events of the Games were held across eight stadiums, spread throughout the suburb of Gachibowli. The venues were:

Sports

The program of the Afro-Asian Games was almost the same as that of the Asian Games, the only difference being in the number of sports. These Games witnessed eight disciplines in eight sports. Synchronised swimming and diving were not contested.

The list of sports is given below (Number in parentheses indicates number of events).

• [[File:Athletics pictogram.svg|20px]] Athletics (41)
• [[File:Boxing pictogram.svg|20px]] Boxing (11)
• [[File:Football pictogram.svg|20px]] Football (1)
• [[File:Field hockey pictogram.svg|20px]] Field hockey (2)
• [[File:Shooting pictogram.svg|20px]] Shooting (16)
• [[File:Swimming pictogram.svg|20px]] Swimming (38)
• [[File:Tennis pictogram.svg|20px]] Tennis (7)
• [[File:Weightlifting pictogram.svg|20px]] Weightlifting (15)

Calendar

The 2003 Afro-Asian Games Calendar is given below.

Qualification

Qualification for the Games depended upon the performance of the countries in other major multi-sport events. Since these Games featured delegations from two continents, the qualification criteria for nations from the different continents was different. The qualification of the African nations was based on their performance in the 2003 All-Africa Games held in Abuja, Nigeria. The qualification for the Asian nations was based on their performance in the 2002 Asian Games held in Busan, South Korea.

Media coverage

Television

The official television host broadcaster of the Afro-Asian Games was DD Sports,{{cite web|url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k3/nov/nov32.htm|publisher=IndianTelevision.com |access-date=2009-05-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622061112/http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k3/nov/nov32.htm|archive-date=2011-06-22|url-status=live}} India's first sports channel. The experience gained through broadcasting these Games would prove to be extremely helpful for its parent company Doordarshan, as they broadcast the 2004 Olympic Games live and would later telecast the 2010 Commonwealth Games. However, the schedule of the Games clashed with an ongoing Triangular Cricket Tournament, and the events were aired on DD Metro. Doordarshan deployed 350 personnel, 10 outdoor broadcasting vans and 86 cameras for obtaining coverage of the Games. Additionally, five cameras were used for the Sports news and the sidelights.

Radio

India's premier radio broadcaster, the All India Radio (A.I.R), was the official radio partner of the Games. The AIR hired 150 programmers and engineers for the coverage of the Games.

Ceremonies

The opening and closing ceremonies were described as "eye-filling" and "opulent" by several media centers.{{cite web |access-date=2010-03-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107192231/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2003/10/26/stories/2003102607951600.htm |archive-date=2012-11-07 |url-status=dead |access-date=2009-11-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090910033317/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20031102/sports.htm |archive-date=2009-09-10 |url-status=live |access-date = 2010-04-03 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100307142813/http://www.nitindesaionline.com/credit_pop7.html |archive-date = 2010-03-07 |url-status = dead

Opening ceremony

The Opening ceremony of the Games were held in the G. M. C. Balayogi Stadium - the main stadium of the events - at 5:30 pm IST.{{cite web |access-date=2009-05-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090105044448/http://www.reachouthyderabad.com/newsmaker/hw93.htm |archive-date=2009-01-05 |url-status=live |access-date=2009-04-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100606073818/http://www.rediff.com/sports/2003/oct/24aag.htm |archive-date=2010-06-06 |url-status=live |access-date=2009-10-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090831061238/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20031025/sports.htm |archive-date=2009-08-31 |url-status=live

Around 12,000 schoolchildren and college students came up with a show depicting the vast and vibrant culture of the two continents.

Chief Guest Deputy Prime Minister L. K. Advani declared the Games open. Shooter Anjali Bhagwat took the Athlete's Oath. This was followed by a laser show, fireworks and a space cannon show. The highlight of the Opening ceremony was the Umojas - a group of professional tribal dancers from Africa. There were other international showcases - the spiritual chanting by the Chinese monks, and the peace prayers by thousands of schoolchildren. Singer Shankar Mahadevan sang the theme song. Bollywood divas Shilpa Shetty, Simran and Urmila Matondkar did dance performances.

Unlike the Olympic Games, there was no individual march past for the countries. The countries came in batches of two - Asian countries in one batch and African countries in another.

Closing ceremony

The closing ceremony of the Games was marked by lights, colour and technology.

The closing ceremony was hosted by Yukta Mookhey. President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam officially closed the Games, in front of a near capacity crowd.{{cite web |access-date=2009-05-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090709064841/http://www.hindu.com/2003/11/02/stories/2003110208071700.htm |archive-date=2009-07-09 |url-status=dead |access-date=2010-02-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609185027/http://www.mail-archive.com/goanet@goanet.org/msg05708.html |archive-date=2011-06-09 |url-status=live

The expected "high-point" of the closing ceremony was the show of camaraderie between the sportspersons of the two continents. However, few athletes trooped into the Stadium for that purpose. The "camaraderie ceremony" was followed by speeches of various important people, among them being IOA President Suresh Kalmadi, IOA and OCA Secretary-General Randhir Singh, ANOCA President Alfa Ibrahim Diallo, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Vikram Verma. The speeches were shortly followed by a memento presentation.

As night fell, hundreds of Army recruits brought lighted torches, and did the "mashal dance". Laser lights and several technological innovations followed. Sheroo, the mascot, was bid farewell by noted Indian singer Hariharan and many costumed children. The Umojas performed yet again at the closing ceremony. The Chinese State circus was considered "breath-taking". Lebanese singer Diana Haddad, Egyptian singer Hisham Abbas and Indian singer Remo Fernandes performed at the closing ceremony as well.

The host country was portrayed by a number of traditional folk dances, after which the Games officially ended.

Highlights

• Africa was the clear leader in the athletics, winning 73 medals as compared to Asia's 47,{{cite web |access-date=2009-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100606075712/http://www.rediff.com/sports/2003/nov/01ath.htm |archive-date=2010-06-06 |url-status=live
• Four time Olympic medallist Frankie Fredericks (Namibia) won the 200 metres race – the last major tournament win of his distinguished 17-year-long career.{{cite web |access-date=2009-07-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080925062833/http://www.iaaf.org/athletes/biographies/letter=0/athcode=3720/index.html |archive-date=2008-09-25 |url-status=live
• Indian tennis player Sania Mirza won four gold medals in the tournament, thereby becoming the most gold-medals winner in the tennis tournament.
• Sun Dan, a 19-year-old Chinese Army officer of the 75-kg category, lifted a weight of 168.5 kg, breaking the previous world record of 168 kg (set by her compatriot Tang Gonghong). In addition, Nigerian athlete Mike Eamson hoisted a weight of 210 kg, which was the heaviest weight ever lifted in India according to the organisers.{{cite web |access-date = 2009-10-19 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080504001559/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2003/11/01/stories/2003110107041800.htm |archive-date = 2008-05-04 |url-status = dead
• Asia won the dual-continental event with 82 gold medals, against Africa's 49.{{cite web |access-date=2009-04-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100125033619/http://www.chinaembassy.org.in/eng/wh/t61258.htm |archive-date=2010-01-25 |url-status=live

Medal table

Main article: 2003 Afro-Asian Games medal table

The official medal tally of the Afro-Asian Games is given below.{{cite web |access-date=2009-05-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013025303/http://www.rediff.com/sports/aag03medals.htm |archive-date=2008-10-13 |url-status=live

Legacy

The success of the Games was a point in favor of India being able to host a major international sporting event. Subsequently, this success was used in the bidding of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, which was ultimately awarded to Delhi.{{cite web |access-date = 2010-03-01 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100810205327/http://www.thecommonwealthgames.org/delhi-2010/cwg-delhi-2010/about-delhi-2010/why-delhi-got-to-host-commonwealth-games-in-2010 |archive-date = 2010-08-10

In addition, the hospitality sector received a major boost due to the games, as hotels and guest houses received large booking orders from people who were coming to see the Games – media-persons, delegates, officials, visitors, sports-persons, etc. Tourism also benefited from the Games, and the State Tourism Department showed many foreign journalists key tourism spots in the city.{{cite web |access-date=2010-03-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041119112446/http://www.blonnet.com/2003/10/23/stories/2003102301421700.htm |archive-date=2004-11-19 |url-status=dead

Also, famous local markets witnessed exceptional growth in sales and business, as demand peaked during the Games. Business of the world-renowned pearls of Hyderabad increased by about 50%, generating revenue of 50 million in one week. The rise in buyers was mainly driven by African visitors, who prefer pearls as jewellery.{{cite web |access-date=2010-03-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615144014/http://www.financialexpress.com/news/pearl-traders-cash-in-on-afroasian-games-rush/88451 |archive-date=2013-06-15 |url-status=live

References

References

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2. (2003-09-01). "Reason for choosing Hyderabad over other cities". The Times Of India.
3. (2003-10-30). "Athletics Calendar". Rediff.
4. (2003-10-31). "Boxing calendar". Rediff.
5. (2003-10-31). "Football calendar". Rediff.
6. (2003-10-30). "Hockey calendar". Rediff.
7. (2003-10-31). "Shooting calendar". Rediff.
8. (2003-10-30). "Swimming calendar". Rediff.
9. (2003-10-31). "Tennis calendar". Rediff.
10. (2003-10-31). "Weightlifting calendar". Rediff.
11. K.P Mohan. (2003-06-26). "AAG - galloping costs, a race against time". The Hindu.
12. (2003-11-02). "Doordarshan aiming high; want to broadcast Athens Olympics and Delhi Commonwealth Games". The Hindu - Business Line.
13. Nithya Subramanian. (2003-10-21). "Exceptions during broadcasting - Triangular Tournament clashes with AAG; forces events to be aired elsewhere". The Hindu - Business Line.
14. "Sania Mirza - Rising Indian Tennis Star".