9^th Official Asian Games FUN RUN 2005 in Paro, Bhutan 15-02-2005

Over three hundred children from Paro, ran for 2.3 km through Paro’s town centre  on 14th February 2005, for the ninth Official Asian Games Fun Run.  The Fun Run celebrates Sport in Asia and highlights the 15th Asian Games Doha 2006.

Organised by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the Bhutan Olympic Committee (BOC), children aged between 8 -14 were invited to participate in the event, which spread the message of the Asian Games in the region and also promoted development, understanding and friendship throughout the continent.

The event, hosted by the city of Paro and supported by Paro’s School Games and Sports Department, started at the archery grounds and went through the city centre’s main road, which was closed for traffic.

A number of VIPs from the OCA, Olympic Solidarity (OS), BOC, Bhutanese Officials and three Bhutanese Archery Olympians, including Mr. Hussain Musallam, Dupty Director General OCA and Mr. Pema Tenzing Secretary General OCA, were present to watch the cultural program, children’s warm up, and the start/finish of all the three age group runs.

The event attracted wide-spread press attention with Bhutan National TV station and the national newspaper of Bhutan (Quensel), being present at the event.   

Each child was given a limited edition of the Asian Games Fun Run t-shirt and a cap and upon completion received a certificate of achievement from the Olympic Council of Asia.