32nd Official Asian Games Fun Run in Dushanbe, Tajikistan 20-09-2006

Over three hundred children sprinted to the finish line at Spartak Stadium at Dushanbe Children’s Park, on Wednesday 20th September, as part of the 32nd Official Asian Games Fun Run.  The Fun Run celebrated sport in Asia and highlighted the 15th Asian Games Doha 2006.

Organised by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), the NOC of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Dushanbe sports federation the fun run consisted of three different age groups of children ranging from nine to fourteen years. 

A unique and vibrant opening ceremony started the event which included traditional Tajikistan music by the Dushanbe youth band, demonstration of tae kwon doe from some of the local clubs, a parade of all participants and the Tajikistan national anthem. In addition, all the children took part in a group aerobics warm up to the sounds of Tajik dance music creating a buzz of excitement before they all headed to the start line.

The route of fun run started inside the Spartak Stadium and out into the beautiful leafy green Dushanbe Children’s Park.

Each child that took part was rewarded with a certificate of achievement and a limited edition 15th Asian Games T-shirt from the OCA.

The winners from each race were presented with bronze, silver or gold medals as well as a stereo for the winner and Tajikistan national athletics track suits for silver and bronze medalists by various representatives from Tajikistan NOC, Head of Sports Committee Mr Ali Mahmod, Paralympics Federation President Mr Boer Safar and some of Tajikistan’s own Olympic athletes.

The event attracted wide-spread press attention and was featured that evening on LTV Safina and National Newspaper Pajri Olimpy was also present to capture all the action.