The Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee (GAGOC) has attached great importance to the promotion of non-Olympic and newly-added sport events for the Asian Games, a leading government official said.

"The upcoming Asian Games, which is the second-largest international sports gala after the Olympic Games, plays a key role in promoting traditional sports and a diverse culture in Asia," said Xu Ruisheng, vice mayor of Guangzhou.

Xu, also vice secretary of the GAGOC, said there will be a total of 42 sporting events for the 2010 Games, of which 14 are non-Olympic events and five are new to the Asian Games.

"These non-Olympic and newly-added events, such as Kabaddi - a team sport that originated in India and is popular in South Asia - typically represent traditional culture in Asia," he said.

According to Xu, the newly added events for the Games include dance sport, roller sport, dragon boat, chess and cricket.

"For example, the dragon boat, which is widely seen throughout South China, will show the Games' attendants the rich culture of Guangdong province," Xu said.

According to Xu, a series of promotional events will be launched for those non-Olympic and newly added sporting events.

"People may not know much about these events, which, however, are very popular in some Asian countries and regions," Xu said.

He said the promotional events will be first launched in schools and then in rural areas.

"Also, we will organize a press conference tour in Asian countries and regions to promote the Games, as we are expecting to develop the Games into a big sports and cultural gala for all the people in Asia," Xu said, adding that people throughout Asia will be involved in the promotion of the Asian Games.