Asian Games media services bounding into final prep stage

Preparations for media services during The 16th Asian Games have entered the final preparatory stage, said the organizers on Wednesday.

According to Ren Tianhua, Deputy Director of the Broadcasting & Media Services Department of the Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee (GAGOC), Games’ media service teams are ready to kick off the venuisation operation.

“GAGOC is processing large number of media accreditation applications, accommodation reservations and rate card applications for the media and has finalized the operation plans for media services,” said Ren.

A total of 3,795 application forms have been handed out to press organizations; Includes 3,274 journalists and photographers; 339 sport-specific journalists and photographers and 182 staff of non-right holding broadcasters.

The applicants include 3,101 journalists and photographers and 338 sport-specific journalists and photographers from 45 Asian countries and regions, while 174 application forms have been handed out to 15 press organizations in the USA, Germany and Hungary.

Press accreditation cards of the Games will be posted in August. During Games time, some 10,000 Chinese and international reporters are expected in cover the event in Guangzhou, 70% of whom will be accommodated at the Media Village in the Asian Games Town.

The International Broadcast Centre (IBC) will open on October 28; the Main Press Centre (MPC) will open on November 1 and the Media Village will open on October 30.

Logistic support for the media is going smoothly in terms of transport, catering and accommodation. Pubs and coffee bars will be available around the clock in the Main Media Centre and Media Village to cover the “irregular and lengthy work schedule of the media,” said Ren.

GAGOC will provide a range of services for press organizations and reporters from overseas, such as buying insurance, paying taxes, interviewing Chinese and athletes from across Asia, opening temporary bank accounts, hiring temporary interview assistants and renting accommodations and work venues. The organizers will soon release an interview and service guidebook for international media.

Ren also said that first-phase construction of the Main Press Centre at the Asian Games Town has been completed and that it is now under interior decorations. Decoration plans for journalist and photographer rooms have been finalized, which will present elements of the Guangzhou Asian Games and Lingnan culture in South China.

Journalists will have access to translating and interpreting services in Korean, Japanese, English, Arabic and Russian languages as well as 17 other services, including hairdressing, air ticketing, banking, postal service, internet cafés, massage and tea lounges.