Photo by: Shamil Zhumatov, Reuters 

Its that time of the year again, the 7th annual Asian Winter Games. And this year the official game is being held in Kazakhstan, more specifically Astana. Which will serve as the site of the grand opening of the games. 27 different countries from the Asian continent will be competing, and as always controversy is just brewing around the corner. The venue for ski jumping, which was constructed specifically for the Asian Games  at the cost of 256 million dollars, and placed close to the city limits. 256 million dollars is quite a sum for a country that has a GDP Per capita of $8,000. 

Other than the celebrations and the gatherings of all Asian countries to fight it out in the age old neighbor versus neighbor scenario, there are many issues that still need to be pushed and not forgotten. We already have seen China cover up their scandals when the 'bird's nest' was being built, and the never ending criticisms of pollution. It will only take time before news will come out that the people of Kazakhstan will see this great spectacle as yet another post-communist show, rather than a progress for democracy and stability. Until then, let the games commence!