Athletes compete at the sepak takraw women's group heats of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou on Sept 25. [Photo/hangzhou2022.cn]

In the 40 disciplines of the Hangzhou Asian Games, there are nine non-Olympic events, including mind sports (Go, Chess, Xiangqi, Bridge, Esports), martial arts (Jujitsu, Kurash, Karate), squash, cricket, kabaddi, dragon boat racing, and baseball.

The Hangzhou Asian Games feature a range of sports with distinct Asian characteristics, providing a stage for the interplay between sports and culture. It's a vibrant illustration of Asia's diverse and culturally-rich landscape.

"The selection of non-Olympic events takes into account the popularity of various sports in different regions of Asia. For instance, martial arts, sepak takraw, cricket, jujitsu, and kurash represent the regional attributes of East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, and West Asia, respectively," explained Zhu Qinan, director of the Competition Department at the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee.

The exact lineup of events has always been flexible, with some events appearing and disappearing over time. This year's Games include Go, Chess, Xiangqi, and Bridge for the first time.

Cricket has been an official sport at the Asian Games since the 2010 Guangzhou Games. Currently, the International Cricket Council has 108 members, with over 20 of them hailing from Asian nations and territories, making Asia one of the most popular continents for the sport.

Martial arts are another sport with a promising future. Li Yongqiang, head of the Chinese martial arts delegation, noted that the Asian Martial Arts Federation currently has 37 member countries and regions, with more and more people falling in love with Chinese Kung Fu.

Asia, with its vast territory, large population, diverse nations, and rich history, serves as a melting pot of cultures. The Asian Games act as a window, not only bringing unique regional sports into the public eye but also facilitating cultural exchanges and mutual learning through sports.

Two players at the 2023 Exciting Hangzhou Asian Kurash Tournament. [File photo/hangzhou2022.cn]