Doha: Asian Athletics Association (AAA) President Dahlan Al Hamad has highlighted the importance of not mixing politics with sport.
Speaking during the Asian Games which is being held in Indonesia, the AAA chief has said that he hopes the political crisis gripping the Gulf region will be resolved before next year’s Doha World Championships and the competition could be a chance for unity, AFP reported yesterday.
“We, as the organising committee, have no restrictions, and Qatar is open to all. (It is) very important not to mix politics with sports,” AAA President said in Jakarta. “We hope that things will pass before we embrace the 2019 world championship.”
“Qatar said since the beginning of the crisis that everyone is most welcome.”
Hamad’s comments come after world athletics chief Sebastian Coe dismissed concerns over a boycott of the competition beginning on September 28, 2019.
“Sports is the unifying activity that brings together the world despite their political and economic matters... We hope that sport will not enter the political arena,” Al Hamad said.
