OCA to select 2019 Asian Games host city in September

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) will select the 18th Asian Games host city at its 33rd General Assembly Sep 20, 2014, in Incheon, South Korea, after Vietnam withdrew as the host of the 2019 games.

The sports governing body of Asia held a meeting with Vietnam Olympic Committee during the OCA Executive Board meeting and "OCA was very clear that the Asian Games 2019 must maintain a very high quality and standard," reports Xinhua, quoting an OCA press release Friday.

After Hanoi was awarded the 2019 games in November 2012, the OCA conducted three inspection visits to Hanoi and indicated to the organisers that the Asian Games requirement and the procedure have not been achieved as per the host city contract.

"OCA was aware and happy about the decision taken April 17, 2014, by Vietnam not to delay such an important matter to a later stage, which then could be very difficult for OCA and Vietnam to find a replacement city to host the Asian Games in 2019," said the press release.