Hanoi relinquishes right to host 2019 Asian Games

KUWAIT, April 18 (KUNA) -- The Vietnamese city of Hanoi has decided not to host the 2019 Asian Games for financial reasons, announced here on Friday Olympic Council of Asia general director Hussein Al-Musallam, in a statement to KUNA.
He said the Council had paid three inspection visits to Hanoi to take a close look at the city's preparations for the Games and had discovered that these preparations were lacking.
He thanked the city officials and the government of Vietnam for their endeavor to organize the Games and applauded their courageous decision to pull out of hosting them due to difficulties in the country's socio-economic situation.
The Council will convene next September to elect a new venue for the Games, said Al-Musallam. (end) fsh.ajs