China presents ideal model in organizing Hangzhou Asian Games: Palestinian official

RAMALLAH, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- China presented a high and sophisticated model in the organization of the 19th Asian Games held in the Chinese city of Hangzhou, a senior Palestinian official said on Thursday.

Jibril Rajoub, head of the Palestinian Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, told Xinhua that "China is a friendly country and has provided a high and sophisticated model in organization and hosting of the 19th Asian Games."

Starting September 23 and lasting until October 8, China's Zhejiang Province hosted the Asian Games which saw over 12,000 athletes from all over Asia taking part.

"The Chinese sporting legacy can be built upon in the future, whether in the bilateral relationship with Palestine or in China's relationship with the international community within the framework of sports," Rajoub explained.

Rajoub expressed his pride in the victory of the Palestinian karateka, Hala Alqadi, of the bronze medal. The medal marks Palestine's first in the Hangzhou Asian Games and the first Asian Games medal since 2002.

"Alqadi's winning of a bronze medal is a major achievement for Palestinian sports and reflects the ambition of all Palestinian athletes to climb the podium," Rajoub said.

On the sport's opening day on Thursday, Alqadi clinched the women's kumite 68kg bronze medal after defeating her opponent Chao Jou from Chinese Taipei 6-3.