Sheikh Ahmad said the OCA cannot afford to "relax and reflect on" its successful achievements of 2014, highlighted by the 17th Asian Games in Incheon, even though its next multi-sport event, the 5th Asian Beach Games in Vietnam, is not due to take place until 2016.

"Behind every successful athlete there is a dedicated support team working behind the scenes, including the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and the Asian and International Sports Federations," he said.

"For our Asian athletes to reach the top of the medal podium at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, the work has already started, and will surely intensify as the next Summer Olympics come into view.

"We all have a part to play in supporting the athletes, from expert coaching and systematic training to medical and nutritional matters and in the vital NOC role of coordination and administration.

"This is particularly relevant in regards to Olympic Solidarity, as the funds are available for all NOCs - big and small - to make a difference in all aspects of their work.

"Athlete scholarships, funds for coaching and administrative courses as well as for expanding communications all play a big part in the development of athletes and the NOCs, and the OCA encourages the 45 NOCs to make the most of this abundance of resources in the coming year."

Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah says the OCA can't afford to dwell on the highlights of 2014, including the 17th Asian Games in Incheon ©Getty Images



Sheikh Ahmad, who is also President of the Association of National Olympic Committees and chairman of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Olympic Solidarity Commission, has pinpointed the 28th South East Asian (SEA) Games in Singapore and the 128th IOC Session in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur as two of the highlights of 2015.

The 2015 SEA Games are due to take place from June 5 to 16 and will be hosted by Singapore for a fourth time, in the same year the Republic celebrates its 50th year of independence from Britain.

The host city of the 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games is scheduled to be announced at the 128th IOC Session between July 30 and August 3, with Asian cities Almaty, Kazakhstan, and Beijing, China's capital, waiting to learn their fate.

Regardless of the outcome, given that Pyeongchang in South Korea will host the 2018 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games and Japanese capital Tokyo will stage the 2020 Summer equivalent, Asia will host three consecutive Olympic Games.

"This shows the influence and the reputation of Asia within the global Olympic Movement - so let us build on this success in 2015 with our solidarity and our unity," said Sheikh Ahmad.

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