OCA had sent an official letter to INASGOC related to Palestine and UAE`s protests for not being included in the Asian Games` draw for group sports, held in Jakarta on July 5.
"OCA has approved INASGOC`s suggestion to include Palestine and Uni Arab Emirates` contingents into the existing groups," noted Director General of OCA Husain Al Mussalam to Chairman of INASGOC Erick Thohir as quoted from OCA`s letter to INASGOC here on Tuesday night.
Dated on July 24, the letter was read that OCA expected the draw for Palestine and UAE could be held on Wednesday, July 25, through coordination with Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
OCA also asked INASGOC to notify all of the Asian Games football`s contingents in advance about the change of the match groups.
Earlier, INASGOC said that they would not hold a draw upon requests of Palestine and UAE and would include the two countries into their pools, namely pool 4 for Palestine and pool 2 for UAE.
By such designation, INASGOC believed that the men football game draw asked by Palestine and UAE would not change too much the result of previous draw held in Jakarta in early July.
"AFC had asked to repeat the draw over Palestine and UAE`s requests. Hence, we as the committee said that we would not repeat the draw. But in the end, it is AFC`s right to decide. We just want to fight for Indonesia," Thohir noted.
UEA and Palestine will add the number of football games` participants in the Asian Games 2018, from 24 to 26 countries.
If AFC approves their participation in the games through the pooling system, UAE will be included into pool 2 along with China, North Korea, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kyrgyzstan, and Thailand. While Palestine will be included into pool 4 with Nepal, India, Cambodia, Timor Leste, Tajikistan, Singapore, and Myanmar.
Reporting by Imam Santoso
Editing by Azizah Fitriyani
(T.A060/A/A060/F001) 25-07-2018 09:20:04
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
