GUANGZHOU, China - Nov 11 (THAINDIAN NEWS) - The 16th Asian Games (www.gz2010.cn/en), part of the worldwide Olympic movement and governed by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is heading into its final phase for the 2010 Games with launch of the Chefs de Mission Seminar held in Guangzhou today.

Delegates representing National Olympic Committees from each of the 45 countries and regions within the Olympic Council of Asia are in attendance at the downtown Garden Hotel.

The Asian Games are the second largest sports event in the world after the Summer Olympic Games.

Governed by The Olympic Council of Asia, The 16th Asian Games will have 42 sports including each of the sports and disciplines of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad in Beijing last summer.

This includes both Baseball and Softball which have been removed from the Olympic schedule - as well as Golf and Rugby which were added during the recent IOC Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark last month. Non-Olympic sports for The 16th Asian Games will include Chess, Dragon Boat Racing, Bowling and Dance Sport (Ballroom Dancing).

During the Chefs de Mission Seminar, officials from Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee presented delegates with a meticulous review of all aspects of preparations for the 2010 Asian Games and athletic competition, including:

53 competition venues - 12 newly built - all will be handed over to Games’ organizers between March and June 2010;

The all-new Asian Games Town which includes the International Broadcast Centre, Main Press Center;

Athletes’ Village and Media Village will span some 2.73 kilometers offering the finest services, recreational facilities and housing accommodations. All buildings have been topped out;

More than 43 road and eight rail lines within Guangzhou are under construction or being upgraded including two all-new terminals at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and a 30 kilometer rail line linking the airport with downtown Guangzhou;

The Asian Games will feature 42 sports with 473 events;

The general competition schedule for all sports has been completed;

27 Test Events including Beach Volleyball, Boxing, Cricket, Basketball, Wrestling and Shooting will begin in May 2010;

Official hotels have been designated and more than 14,000 guest rooms in Guangzhou are ready for visitors and

The Asian Games Torch Relay will begin in August 2010 and conclude on November 12 during the Opening Ceremonies of the Games.