Chequered history

K.R. Wadhwaney recalls the high points of the Asian Games since 1951

Philippines’ Jorge B. Vergas, member of the International Olympic Council (IOC), was first to think about Asians in the world of sports. The idea for Asian sports was reborn during the Asian Relations Conference held under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru soon after Independence. The idea was translated into reality during the 1948 London Olympic Games when India’s Guru Dutt Sondhi, a former Principal of the Lahore government college and Vergas, called a six-nation meeting to form the Asian Games Federation (AGF). Following this, the AGF was formalised at Delhi’s Patiala House on February 12 - 13, 1949, and a draft constitution was accepted. The five charter members forming the federation were Afghanistan, Burma, India, Pakistan and the Philippines.

The plan was to hold the Asian Games every four years in between the Olympic Games with 1950 as the inaugural year. India and the Philippines were in race to host the games. New Delhi, however, won the verdict. There was some delay and the first games were held in March (4 - 11), 1951, when 11 nations entered six events. The games were a grand success. Much of the success could be attributed to Nehru, whose famous advice to all participants was: "Play the game in the spirit of the game". The feature of the games was the dominance of Iran weightlifters. The superb display was given by the Filipinos in basketball. India’s Lavy Pinto became the fastest man in Asia.

Manila 1954

Wrestling, rifle shooting and boxing were included while cycling was eliminated. The hymn of the games was "Ever onwards shine and gleam, ye star of Asian birth, one spirit rules the game".

Tragedy struck the games when a Taiwanese, Phi Leeng, lost his life. Preferring to continue running instead of getting off the course, he fell unconscious at the end of the 10000 metres never to regain consciousness. It was a feat of great valour and determination. Politics raised its head. Iran remained absent. Israel and Formosa participated.

Tokyo 1958

Combining skills with efficiency, Japan organised the games with a lot of pomp and show. Khalid won the 100 metres gold and thus became the first man to retain his sprint title — truly the fastest man of Asia. For the 200 metres race, his rival was India’s Milkha Singh. It was a race between experience and youth and youth triumphed. Milkha Singh, slim to the extent of being wiry, had an amazing sprint in his legs. In the thrilling final, Milkha Singh shocked Khalid by ‘falling over the tape’. It was a photo finish.

Jakarta 1962

Political manoeuvrings in which India’s Guru Dutt Sondhi figured prominently, marred the games considerably. Sondhi was unwilling to see any one else’s point of view. The organisers did not allow Israel and Taiwan to take part, but Sondhi, observer on behalf of the IOC, refused to accept it. He told organisers that ‘the games would not be recognised’. This was not taken kindly by the organisers. The result: India’s sportspersons, its national anthem and its flag received jeers.

Bangkok 1966

The attempt, albeit subtly, was made to help Bangkok outclass the Indonesia Games.Japan continued to dominate in medal tally. Balbir’s fine goal helped India beat Pakistan in hockey. There was a lot of tension between supporters of the two teams.

Bangkok 1970

As no other country was ready to host inside of a year, the arduous responsibility fell on Bangkok. The games were held in a most friendly atmosphere. All participants expressed their happiness in being in Bangkok once again. India lost both hockey and football titles. China’s entry gave a great fillip to the games. Iranians dominated wrestling and weightlifting. Barring nibbling by other athletes like Sriram Singh and T.C. Yohannan (India), Japan’s domination was complete.

Bangkok 1978

It was the same old story. Singapore cried off. So did Pakistan. The Games once again returned to Bangkok as if Bangkok was the kind of ‘permanent host for the games’.

As Thailand expressed its inability to bear the burden of expenses, all participating countries had to contribute so that the chain of the games would not be disrupted.

New Delhi 1982

Japan were dethroned by China from the over-all medal tally. China won 61 gold to Japan’s 57. The games were stupendously organised and there was marked improvement in standards. India sustained an ignoble 1-7 defeat against Pakistan in the hockey final. It looked as if Indians had forgotten playing the game.

The last AGF meeting was held after the conclusion of the closing ceremony. The new organisation by the name of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) was raised. It was done with a view to securing funds from the IOC.

India amazed Asia and the world with its organisation when more than a million people a day crowded the 17 sports avenues, most of which were specially built for this prestigious event.The explosive but petite and graceful athlete, Lydia de Vega of the Philippines, shocked favourite P.T. Usha. Lydia won both the events of the 100 and 200 metres while Usha was relegated to second position.

Seoul 1986

P.T. Usha and India became synonymous during these games. There was reason for it. She won four gold medals and one silver. She established four games records in the 200 metres, 400 metres, 400 metres, hurdles and 4x400 metres relay. She was, however, pipped at the post by Philippines’ Lydia de Vega in the 100 metres.

There were stupendous performances in several events but all paled into significance to Usha’s achievements. Overall, it was a contest between China and hosts Korea. To China’s 94 gold medals, Korea claimed 93. Korean performers showed that they were now world-class athletes like Chinese.

Beijing 1990

China stayed ahead of all other nations in the medal tally. They secured as many as 183 gold, a record, 107 silver and 51 bronze medals. South Korea, who had challenged the might of Chinese in previous games, got 54 gold, 54 silver and 73 bronze medals.

Hiroshima 1994

A record number of 7300 from 42 countries participated. There were 34 disciplines and 337 gold medals at stake. Hiroshima was the first non-capital to stage the games.

In the next two games in Bangkok in 1998 and in Busan in 2002, the standards continued to rise. China once again announced that it had broken away from the Asian league and its athletes were on a firm road to challenge the might of American and Europe performers.

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