Indonesia tipped to step in after Vietnam withdraws
Decision will be made in September in Incheon after Hanoi pulls plug over cost
Indonesia is favourite to take on the 2019 Asian Games after Vietnam's withdrawal because of the cost, Asian sports sources said yesterday.
A decision on the new country will be made on September 20 in Incheon, South Korea, which will host this year's Asian Games at the same time.
Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said on Thursday his country was pulling out due to economic "difficulties".
Three countries have shown an interest in hosting the 2019 Asian Games following Vietnam's withdrawal
Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) leaders had warned Vietnam this year that it was already falling behind in preparations, officials said. Staging the world's second biggest multi-sport event after the Olympics requires hundreds of millions of dollars of investment.
"Three countries have shown an interest in hosting the 2019 Asian Games following Vietnam's withdrawal," an Asian sports source familiar with negotiations said.
Indonesia is one and the other two candidates are also from East Asia, the source added.
"Indonesia, which was beaten by Vietnam in the hosting vote in 2012, is seen as the strongest candidate," the source said.
OCA members confirmed that Indonesia is the leading candidate, but said more negotiations would be needed.