Tom Hoad to head Asian sports festival taskforce

A special taskforce headed by former Olympian Tom Hoad will help plan Western Australia's bid to stage a major sports festival involving several Asian countries.

Sport and Recreation Minister Graham Edwards said he was confident Perth would host the inaugural WA-Asia Sports Festival sometime towards the end of next year.

"The taskforce will get the ball rolling by arranging a meeting of Asian sports ministers and key sporting officials in Perth before the end of the year," Mr Edwards said.

"There is a growing realisation here and in Asia of the benefits to be gained - not only sporting - by strengthening our ties in this way."

Mr Edwards announced earlier this year moves to establish regular sporting festivals involving WA and Asian countries.

"The concept is based on competition at the elite, junior and masters levels," he said.

"At the same time it will provide opportunities to exchange expertise in areas such as sports science, coaching, umpiring, training and sports equipment."

Mr Edwards said the festivals could start on a small scale involving athletics, swimming, hockey, badminton, volleyball and soccer.

The number of sports would increase as the games moved from location to location and more countries in the region became involved.

The Minister said he was encouraged to pursue the festival idea after seeing the enthusiasm of Asian sporting officials during a trip to Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Malaysia in July.

"The taskforce, which has been approved by State Cabinet, will have the job of organising the festival and handling overseas liaison," Mr Edwards said.

"Under the chairmanship of Tom Hoad, who was involved in the world swimming championships last year and is presently chairman of the Australian Masters Games, we have someone who has invaluable experience in planning international sporting events."

Graham Edwards and Tom Hoad are both available for interview.