By Adnan Akfırat, Chairman of the Turkish-Chinese Business Development and Friendship Association
The whole of Asia, of which we are a part, is our homeland. Even if we are caught up in Western delusions, we should not deny our origins. We should wake up from 75 years of delusion and become one with Asia. This is what the “Asia Again” initiative led by President Erdoğan, who is visiting Indonesia and Malaysia as I write, is calling for.
As the founder of our Republic, the great Atatürk said: “We Turks are an Asian nation, an Asian state”. (1)
But despite being an important Asian country, Türkiye did not send any athletes or delegation to the 9th Asian Winter Games, as in the past.
However, on Saturday, 8 February 2025, the 9th Asian Winter Games kicked off with great enthusiasm. The opening ceremony in the north-eastern Chinese city of Harbin was spectacular. Chinese President Xi Jinping opened the Games. With the theme “Winter Dream, Love among Asia”, the 9th Asian Games broke records for both the number of participating countries and the number of athletes, with more than 1,200 athletes from 34 countries taking part.
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, Kyrgyzstan President Sadir Caparov, Brunei President Hassanal Bolkiah, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and South Korean Parliament Speaker Woo Won-shik attended the ceremony in Harbin.
2025 Asian Winter Games
The 2025 Asian Winter Games will see China, Japan and South Korea compete in all sports, while Cambodia and Saudi Arabia will make their Asian Winter Games debut. Countries such as Thailand from Southeast Asia and Lebanon from West Asia are also sending their largest delegations ever. The number of event categories has reportedly tripled at this year’s Games. The Harbin Asian Winter Games have been an important event in promoting friendship and cooperation throughout Asia.
Ice and snow sports have become a popular pastime in China in recent years. During the holidays, many people flock to ski resorts in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Ice skating and skiing lessons are widely taught to children in China. It is estimated that China’s ice and snow economy will reach a total size of $200 billion by 2030.
The “ice and snow fever” in Harbin also shares new development opportunities with Asian countries. In Asia, ice and snow sports have been growing as an emerging force in recent years, with participation becoming more widespread. Even countries with little or no snow are actively developing this field.
Raja Randhir Singh, interim president of the Olympic Council of Asia, told the Global Times that the Asian Winter Games not only provide a stage for athletes, but also serve as a platform for friendship among various Asian countries. The technological advances, environmental sustainability and spirit of friendship embodied in these events have attracted considerable attention beyond the medals and sporting achievements. For many participating Asian countries, the importance of the Asian Winter Games goes beyond being a continental sporting event. Many see it as an opportunity to showcase and enhance their influence on the international stage. (2)
There are 49 countries in Asia. 46 are members of the Olympic Council of Asia. Israel, Armenia and Cyprus are not members, but they belong to Europe! Unfortunately, by not participating in the Asian Games, Türkiye is joining these countries.
In his opening speech, Chinese President Xi Jinping referred to Asia’s tradition of coexistence and inclusiveness, saying:
“We must realize our desire for friendship and cooperation. Just as every snowflake is unique, so is every civilization. Asia is a geography where the world’s diverse civilizations meet and merge. We must continue Asia’s tradition of inclusiveness and coexistence, and promote mutual learning, so that we can make greater contributions to humanity’s journey of civilizational progress”. (3)
The Asian Games are one of the regional competitions organized by the Olympic Council of Asia (AOC). They were first held in 1951 in New Delhi, India, and have been held every four years since 1954. Previously organized under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee, the Olympic Council of Asia (AOC) was established in Kuwait in 1982. With the establishment of the AOC, Israel was excluded from the Asian Games. Despite repeated applications, it was not admitted. 45 National Olympic Committees in Asia are members of the AOC. Its current President is Sheikh Fahad Al-Sabah, a member of the Emir family of Kuwait.
Türkiye became a member of the Olympic Council of Asia in 1991. But we have never taken part in the Asian Games.
By not taking part, Türkiye gets isolated from the Turkic and Muslim world
Although Türkiye is the most important country in West Asia, it is separated from other countries in the region when it comes to the Asian Games. The West Asian countries participating in the Asian Games are Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Palestine, Iraq, Iran, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Yemen. All are also members of the West Asian Games Federation (WAGF). Türkiye can revive this initiative by becoming a member of the West Asian Games Federation.
Türkiye is outside of the Turkish and Islamic world regarding the Asian Games. Five Central Asian Turkic republics are members of the Olympic Council of Asia and are participating in the games with their athletes and administrators.
There are 57 countries in the world where the majority of the population is Muslim. 27 of them are in Asia. All of them are members of the Asian Olympic Committee and take part in the Asian Games. By not participating in the Asian Games, Türkiye is isolated from both the Turkic world and the Muslim countries of Asia.
Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Russia prefer to take part in the European Games instead of the Asian Games. However, it is possible to take part in both the European and Asian Games.
The Asian Summer Games will be held in Nogaya, Japan in 2026. Türkiye, Azerbaijan and the Turkish Republic of Cyprus should decide and act now to participate in the Asian Summer Games.
Footnotes
1. Atatürk’ün Bütün Eserleri, c.12, 3rd edition, Kaynak Yayınları, İstanbul, March 2015, p.297; Hâkimiyeti Milliye, 5 March 1922.