China's national flag is shown on the screen during the closing ceremony of Doha Asiad at the Khalifa stadium in Doha, capital of Qatar, yesterday. -Xinhua

The magnificent show of the last 15 days which portrayed the dreams and aspirations of Asia passed into the recess of history as the largest ever Asian Games came to a close last night at the Khalifa Stadium in an atmosphere of friendship and unity.

China once again maintained its dominant stranglehold over Asian sport, topping the overall medal table with 165 golds, 88 silvers and 63 bronzes. In second place, South Korea had 58 golds and 193 overall, followed by Japan in third, with 50 golds and 198total medals.

It was the first time that the Asian Games have been held in the Arabic region and only the second time in the Middle East. Iran hosted the event in 1974.

Qatar, home to just 700,000 people, most expatriate foreign workers, has invested 2.8 billion US dollars in transforming Doha for the Games with the country believing it will provide a lasting legacy.

In his remarks at the closing ceremony, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, chairman of the board of directors of the Doha 2006 Organizing Committee (DAGOC) said, "For the people of Qatar, we have shown to the world that Qatar is the sports capital of Asia, and an international center for culture, business and hospitality."

"The 15th Asian Games Doha 2006 has been a remarkable journey. This is just the beginning for us," he added.

Doha is expected to launch a formal bid next year to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, with Tokyo, San Francisco, Madrid as potential rivals.

OCA President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah extended his gratitude to the organizers for delivering a successful Games.

"The Doha Asian Games Organizing Committee deserves our warm congratulations for their untiring efforts to make the games a great success and also for providing the athletes and spectators with state-of-the-art infrastructure and marvelous cultural programs during the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games," said Sheikh Ahmad.

The opening ceremony on Dec. 1 may have had the cultural aspect to it, but the finale provided more in the way of entertainment.

With the tale of "A Thousand and One Nights" as the basis for the closing ceremony, the two-hour show began with a Qatari boy emerging from the stadium field and transporting the spectators into the adventures of Ali Baba, Sinbad and Aladdin.

The stage was then set for the protocol part of the ceremony which got underway with the entry of the athletes and officials, to an ovation from the 50,000-strong audience.

As the curtain of the 15th Asian Games was rung down at the Khalifa Stadium, the flag of the Olympic Council of Asia was handed over to Guangzhou, China, which will host the next Games in 2010. A short segment titled "Orient Charm" then highlighted a vibrant and new China ready to embrace the world.

South Korean swimmer Tae Hwan Park was honored as the Games' most valuable athlete at the closing ceremony. The 17-year-old hadraced to the major achievement of the Games, breaking two Asiad records and grabbing three titles in freestyle swimming events.

Hours before the closing ceremony, Qatar's men's soccer team beat Iraq 1-0 in the final to claim the last gold medal of the Games.

The Games, however, have been tainted by a string of doping scandals. Iraqi bodybuilder Saad Faeaz was thrown out after 134 doses of the performance-enhancing steroid nandrolone were found in his luggage by the authorities at Doha's international airport, while other four weightlifters were disqualified for positive doping tests.

Meanwhile, the death of South Korean equestrian Kim Hyung Chil also cast a shadow over the Games. The 47-year-old Kim died in the equestrian cross-country competition after he was crushed by his horse while trying to jump over a fence.

More than 10,000 athletes were competing across the 39 sports, and 38 out of the 45 participating countries and regions won at least a medal of any color. World records were broken in three of weightlifting's 15 divisions.

The Games was notable for Iraq making its first appearance at the continent's sporting extravaganza since 1986. The war-torn country won three medals, two silver and a bronze.