The closing ceremony of the 8th Children of Asia International Sports Games took place on Saturday in Yakutsk at the Nikolay Tarsky Tuymaada stadium and started with a victory parade of the winners and medallists of the competitions.
Within 11 days, 707 judges from 17 countries followed the exciting sports battles. Competitions were held in 24 sports, in which 30 teams from 24 countries participated. 239 sets of medals were awarded to athletes.
On behalf of the participants of the 8th Children of Asia Games, Behruz Salimov, the champion in taekwondo from Uzbekistan, delivered a speech. The athlete expressed his gratitude to all those who took part in this wonderful sports festival.
These amazing days have come to an end, they passed like a moment. We, the young athletes participating in the 8th Children of Asia Games, will remember it for the rest of our lives. Dear residents of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), thank you for this sports festival, friendship and joy that you have prepared for all of us. Many of us will return home with medals, and we will all take home unforgettable memories of the hospitable land - Yakutia. It's a pity that some of us will grow up and other children will take part in the next Games. But we will never forget Yakutia, Children of Asia and our new friends. I am proud to be a Children of Asia Games alumnus".
President of the Children of Asia International Committee Vladimir Maximov, Head of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) Aysen Nikolayev, Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Russian Federation Dmitry Chernyshenko took part in the ceremony as guests of honour.
President of the Children of Asia International Committee Vladimir Maksimov:
"Throughout all the days of the Games, the athletes were surrounded by their senior comrades. I am very glad that we continue our communication, which is now taking place in the format of productive cooperation in the Alumni Union. Knowledge, experience and trust are the basis on which the education and training of future champions is built. Now our Union has grown by 1930 alumni and I am sure that in a couple of years they will also return to the Games as big winners and champions to teach and train young athletes. This inseparable link between generations in our big Children of Asia family is something that is especially precious and valuable to us".
Dmitry Chernyshenko, Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Russian Federation, said:
"The 8th Children of Asia Games have come to an end. The tournament proves the countries' aspiration to build equal international sports cooperation. The Games have become an invaluable experience of performing at the highest level for young athletes. The athletes showed outstanding results, demonstrated their strength, perseverance and will to victory. I thank all of those involved in the competition".
Aysen Nikolayev, Head of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia):
"Here came the final moments of the 8th Children of Asia Games. 11 days have passed swiftly. Today I am overwhelmed with pride for the young athletes, for their will to victory, for their desire to defend the sports honour of their country and their region with dignity. I am filled with gratitude to the organisers and volunteers, coaches and judges, participants in the cultural programme, everyone who cared with their hearts and souls, who did everything to make the Children of Asia Games in Yakutsk a true celebration of sport, childhood and friendship. Today the whole of Yakutia says goodbye to you!"
Competition results
Following the results of the competition, the Uzbekistan team became the leader in the team medal standings, winning 36 gold, 31 silver and 21 bronze medals. The team of Siberian Federal District took second place (31-31-32), and the team of the Republic of Belarus - the third (27-21-30).
The programme of the 8th Children of Asia Games included: athletics, basketball 3×3, dance sport (breaking) and (ten dance), mas-wrestling, rhythmic gymnastics, boxing, sports climbing, volleyball, mini-football, taekwondo, judo, kurash, swimming, sambo, wrestling, alysh, khapsagai, shooting, archery, chess, go, table tennis, kickboxing, trap shooting.
We wish all the participants of the 8th Children of Asia Games to reach great achievements in sports. Let these Games be the start on the way to greater sport - to the triumph of the ideals of peace, friendship and mutual understanding.
