The fifth Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, in Ashgabat, involved 65 teams in 21 sports ©Getty Images

The Olympic Council of Asia's (OCA) director general Husain Al Musallam said the organisation is always ready to give the continent's athletes a chance to perform after the fifth Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) concluded in Ashgabat last week.

Competition in Turkmenistan's capital brought to a close a busy year of three multi-sport Games for the OCA, which saw more than 7,000 athletes in action in 48 sports.

The hectic spell started with the fifth Asian Beach Games in Danang, Vietnam, in September 2016, when 2,197 athletes competed in 22 sand and sea sports.

This was followed by the eighth Asian Winter Games in Japanese city Sapporo in February 2017.

The winter event saw 1,147 athletes take part in 11 disciplines of five sports. 

A record entry of 32 teams included five Asian National Olympic Committees (NOCs) making their debut in winter sports, as well as guest athletes from two Oceania countries, Australia and New Zealand.

The fifth AIMAG, which ran from September 17 to 27, was the first time Oceania had competed alongside OCA countries and regions in a multi-sport event and the first time an OCA Games included a refugee team from Africa.

This led to a record number of athletes from 65 teams, a total of 4,012 in 21 sports.

"This [the three Games] shows that the OCA is always ready to give Asian athletes the opportunity to represent their flag in a wide variety of sports," said Al Musallam.

"We believe that, by bringing together the youth of Asia in such a friendly and harmonious environment, it will foster peace, understanding and tolerance around the continent and the world.

The next major highlight for the Olympic Council of Asia will be the 18th Asian Games, in Jakarta and Palembang in August and September 2018 ©OCA
The next major highlight for the Olympic Council of Asia will be the 18th Asian Games, in Jakarta and Palembang in August and September 2018 ©OCA

"We are also proud of the support we receive from the Government and from heads of state in hosting our Games. 

"This reflects the enthusiasm of the people."

The OCA will now shift attention to their showpiece event, with the 18th Asian Games taking place in Jakarta and Palembang in Indonesia from August 18 to September 2 next year.

Forty-five Asian NOCs will send 10,000 athletes to compete in 462 events across 40 sports. 

Five thousand officials are also expected.

"With the strong support of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, HE Mr Joko Widodo, and the cooperation between the OCA and the Organising Committee, we are confident that the 18th Asian Games next year will be a big success," added Al Musallam.

"They will show the unity of Asia and the development of sport across all five zones of the OCA."