The Asian Games are held for the purpose of developing intercultural knowledge and friendship within Asia. The member countries and regions affiliated to the Olympic Council of Asia participate in this multi-sports event. This World Games is held every four years in between the Olympic Games.
Unofficial historical data traces the origination of the Asian Games to the Eastern Olympics inaugurated in Manila, the Philippines, in 1913 with 6 member countries of the Philippines, Thailand, China, Japan, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. This bienniel sports meet changed name to the Far East Championship, and continued to be held till 1934, and two years later as the Eastern Championship held in Tokyo in 1934.
In 1947, Sondy of India invited team chairmen of 13 Asian countries that participated in the 14th London Olympics to an arrangement table and Korea, Taiwan, India, the Philippines, Burma, and Ceylon positively responded to his suggestion. Following the New Dehli agreement in 1949, the Asian Track & Field Championship was established together with the foundation of the Asian Track & Field Federation.
Following the second meet, the participating countries agreed to adopt the Asian Games Charter (which was based on the Olympic Charter), leading to establishment of the Asian Games Federation and the holding of the first official Asian Games at New Delhi, India in 1951, and every four years thereafter.
At the General Meeting of the Asian Games Federation in 1982, the participants agreed to the formation of the Olypic Council of Asia. This body has since then been the official governing body of the Asian Games.
The following is a quick listing of the host cities of the previous Games:
