5 days ago
Sheikh Joaan announces his candidacy for the presidency of Olympic Council of Asia
His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee and First Vice President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), has officially announced his candidacy for the presidency of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).
This comes as part of his commitment to contributing to the development of Asian sports and strengthening its unity and cohesion during the coming period.
This announcement came after the Olympic Council of Asia opened nominations for the presidential elections on July 15, 2025, in preparation for the next General Assembly, which will be held in January 2026 in Tashkent.
On this occasion, Sheikh Joaan extended his sincere thanks and appreciation to HE Raja Randhir Singh, the current President of the Olympic Council of Asia, praising his significant contributions and leadership role in serving Asian sports during his tenure, as well as his constant commitment to consolidating the principles of teamwork and cooperation among Asian Olympic Committees.
Sheikh Joaan also expressed his full support for the decision of the Olympic Council of Asia Executive Board to appoint His Excellency Raja Randhir Singh as Honorary President for Life, in recognition of his long career and solid legacy in serving the Asian Olympic Movement.
In this context, Sheikh Joaan affirmed that his candidacy for the presidency stems from his deep belief in the role of sports as a means of development and rapprochement between peoples, and his firm conviction in the ability of Asian sports to achieve qualitative leaps in the areas of governance, sustainability, digital transformation, and athlete empowerment.
Sheikh Joaan also stressed the importance of enhancing balanced distribution of opportunities, expanding cooperation between Olympic committees, upgrading sports infrastructure, and providing greater platforms for youth and women to participate in shaping the future of sports in Asia.
Sheikh Joaan's candidacy is based on an ambitious strategic vision for the development of Asian sports, based on five main pillars: solidarity, digital transformation, sustainable development, credibility, and economic and financial resilience. This vision reflects His Excellency's extensive experience in sports, his proven track record as leader of the Qatar Olympic Committee, and his prominent role in the International Olympic Movement, particularly through his position as First Vice President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC).
The upcoming elections for the Olympic Council of Asia are expected to attract significant interest from the sports community, given the challenges facing global sports and the need for effective leadership that promotes transparency and integration within the Asian sports system.
The Olympic Council of Asia is one of the most prominent continental sporting bodies, with 45 National Olympic Committees as members. It plays a pivotal role in coordinating sporting activities among Asian countries, supporting development efforts, activating cooperation initiatives in the areas of sports governance and management, and enhancing the infrastructure and institutional capabilities of member Olympic committees.
The Olympic Council of Asia, founded in 1982 and headquartered in Kuwait City, oversees the organization of numerous combined events, including the Asian Games, the Asian Winter Games, the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, the Asian Beach Games, the Asian Youth Games, and other tournaments that enhance the status of Asian sports on the international stage.
