The president of Japan's Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Tatsuo Higuchi, has officially signed a partnership agreement designating the firm's Pocari Sweat as the official sports drink for Doha 2006 with the Olympic Council of Asia and the Doha Asian Games Organizing Committee.
Otsuka points out that it first sponsored the 13th Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand, and later the 14th Asian Games in Bussan, South Korea. The 15th Asian Games in Doha becomes the third time that the company joins the Asian Games as an official partner. During the games, to be held in December, Pocari Sweat Base Camps are going to be set up at the Athletes' Village to support competitors for the maintenance of their physical conditions and for better understanding of proper re- hydration.
Abdulla Khalid Al Qahtani, director of the Doha Asian Games Organizing Committee, congratulated the participation of Otsuka to Doha 2006 and commented as follows: 'Pocarii Sweat is well-known among the participating nations and is the favorite drink among sportspersons here in Qatar. We are very proud that the fame and recognition of the 15th Asian Games has attracted Otsuka Pharmaceutical.'
Hiroshi Sakamaki, senior operating officer at Otsuka, said: 'we are very pleased and honored to be a part of the 15th Asian Games Doha 2006 consecutively after the 13th and the 14th Asian Games. For the purpose of contribution to the world health, we have been trying to enhance the public interests in healthy re-hydration. We regard the participation to this event as a part of our activities for the contribution.'
