By Nick Butler at the Main Press Centre in Incheon

Proposals for Colombo to replace Hambantota were raised during the OCA Executive Board Meeting this morning ©OCASri Lankan capital Colombo is set to replace Hambantota as the location for the 2017 Asian Youth Games, pending the fulfillment of several conditions regarding the construction of venues.


The issue was among various areas discussed during the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Executive Council Meeting here this morning, taking place just hours before this evening's Opening Ceremony of Incheon 2014. 

The Games were initially awarded to the southern coastal town of Hambantota, which has a population of just 11,000, in 2012 shortly after the city unsuccessfully bid to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games. 

But a number of problems with preparations have overshadowed preparations in recent months and in March the OCA gave organisers three months to resolve problems, or face being stripped of the Games. 

Earlier this month it was announced that Sri Lanka would remain as hosts but, under new proposals, events would be split between Hambantota and capital city Colombo.

Yet at today's meeting, OCA honorary life vice-president Wei Jizhong revealed it is now planned for all events to take place in Colombo, although the OCA have warned that they must be satisfied with the proposed facilities and construction timetable before this is approved.

This topic will be discussed again during the OCA General Assembly taking place here tomorrow. 

Colombo is set to host the 2017 Asian Youth Games, replacing Hambantota, which was originally chosen to stage the event ©AFP/Getty ImagesColombo is set to host the 2017 Asian Youth Games, replacing Hambantota, which was originally chosen to stage the event ©AFP/Getty Images



Meanwhile, a range of other issues were also discussed at this morning's meeting, chaired by OCA chief Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah, including preparations for the Asian Beach Games, taking place in Phuket from November 14 to 22, as well as Incheon 2014.

Sheikh Ahmad said he was "very happy and honoured" to be here for the Asian Games, before praising the many stakeholders - ranging from the South Korean Government and the Korean National Olympic Committee to the people of Incheon - for "working hard to make our dream".

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