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Asian Games vital for Japan's build-up for Beijing Olympics

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-11-28 13:36

Doha Asian Games is a very important occasion for Japanese delegation to know their Asian rivals in their build-up for the Beijing Olympic Games, a Japanese Olympic Committee official said here on Monday.

"Doha Asian Games is a very important occasion (for Japan's preparation for the Beijing Olympic Games)," said Hirosi Takeuchi, the press attache of the Japanese Olympic Committee.

"Our elite athletes not only compete in Asia but also in the world, but this time, if you think about the Beijing Olympics qualification, Asian quota is important and limited," he said.

"We have to know how strong our rival teams are, China, South Korea, India...to get good information about the performances of those countries is very important," he added.

Japan have been working to give their performance at the Beijing Olympics a lift, including setting up a national training center for the medal hopefuls.

Takeuchi said Japanese government had promised to facilitate the first ever national training center next year.

"Next year Japan will establish the first ever national sports training center for the elite athletes from 13 sports. We will be having good facilities," he said.