The organising committee has promised to make next year's Guangzhou Asian Games the best-ever Asiad.

Ren Tianhua, a member of the Guangzhou Games organising committee, said yesterday he was confident that the event would be a huge success after years of preparations and China's experience from staging last year's Olympics.

"The Asian Games' popularity is not as great as the Olympics but it will enjoy a huge success," said Ren, deputy director of the organising committee's Broadcasting and Media Services Department.

"Because of our cultures and characteristics, the Games will be unique at both the opening ceremony and the whole tournament. They will definitely impress the spectators and the participants."

Ren said last year's Beijing Games gave the Guangzhou organisers many lessons on how to make the 2010 Asiad even better than the 2008 Olympics.

About 20,000 athletes and officials from 45 countries and territories are expected to join the 16th Asian Games from November 12-27 next year.

A mega project comprising villages for athletes, technicians and journalists is being constructed and is scheduled to finish six months before the Games, Ren said.

A total of 42 sports events, of which 28 events are Olympic sports, will feature in the Guangzhou Games, he said.

Ren said the "Road of Asia" tour had been underway for three months following the launch in Kuwait in March.

The Cocachin boat has passed the Gulf, Pakistan, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

It is now destined for Guangzhou where it will arrive in November in time for the one-year countdown to the 16th Asian Games.