ISLAMABAD - As many as 45 countries will compete in 42 various sports disciplines during the 16th edition of Asian Games, which will be held Guangzhou, China from November 12 to 27, 2010. Deputy Director Marketing for the Guangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee (GAGOC) Yuan Yui was speaking in a ceremony aiming to launch awareness campaign for the games 'The Road to Asia' here at a local hotel. Also, Federal Minister for Sports Pir Aftab Hussain Jilani and President Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) Lt. Gen (Retd) Syed Arif Hasan were also present on this occasion. She further said that it would be first time in the history of Asian Games over 40 disciplines would have been included in the mega Asian event. "China already hosted similar event in 1990 at Beijing successfully. Guangzhou will be introducing four new sports disciplines including dance sports, dragon boat, roller sports and cricket. Cricket is the most popular game of Pakistan, "he maintained. Speaking on this eve, Federal Minister for Sports Pir Aftab Shah Jillani said that Pakistan would fully cooperate with China in successful organisation of Asian Games. He said that Pakistan would play as partner in making successful this event. He said that despite meager resources Pakistan was trying hard to excel in international sports and hoped that these games would provide Pakistan players a chance to win top honours. "I hope all the relevant national federations would also work hard to perform well in these games," he said. Yauan Yui thanked Pakistan for warm reception on their arrival here during the journey on 'The Road to Asia'. She said that cricket would also be played in the 2010 Asian Games as a major discipline besides other new entries like dance sports, dragon boat and roller sports. Yui announced that Cocachin boat and its ground convey left last month on the Asian continent tour to create awareness among the people of the region about the gala games. President National Olympic Committee Lt. Gen, (retd) Arif Hassan said on the occasion that Pakistan was glad to host this event in Islamabad because it is an important link among the countries situated from Kuwait to Guang Zhou. He said that Pakistan would play its role in transferring the Asian Games torch which depicts Unity, Peace and Prosperity to Guang Zhou.