Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, the new President of the Olympic Council of Asia.

DOHA, Jan 26 (KUNA): His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, sent congratulatory messages to the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, following the election of Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani as President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

His Highness the Amir expressed his sincere congratulations, noting that Sheikh Joaan’s election reflects Qatar’s prominent international standing. He wished Sheikh Joaan success in his new role and extended his best wishes to Qatar and its people for continued progress and prosperity under the wise leadership of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad.

His Highness the Crown Prince, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, also sent a congratulatory cable, wishing Sheikh Joaan success in his new position and reiterating his best wishes for Qatar’s ongoing growth and development.

Similarly, His Highness the Prime Minister, Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, conveyed his congratulations to the Amir of Qatar and expressed confidence in Sheikh Joaan’s leadership in advancing Asian sport.

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) on Monday elected Qatar’s Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani as its new president during the 46th OCA General Assembly held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

According to the Qatar News Agency (QNA), Sheikh Joaan becomes the 22nd president to serve the Olympic Movement in Asia since 1913. The General Assembly brought together more than 350 sports officials representing 45 Asian National Olympic Committees (NOCs). He succeeds Raja Randhir Singh, who stepped down from the post for health reasons, as head of the world’s largest regional sports organization.

Sheikh Joaan is the fifth president in the OCA’s history, underscoring Qatar’s growing influence and leadership role in Asian sport. Participating NOCs expressed full confidence in his leadership and extensive experience in developing sport across the continent.

Following his official endorsement, the General Assembly viewed a video presentation highlighting Sheikh Joaan’s achievements, which have contributed significantly to the development of sport in Qatar and strengthened Doha’s position as a global sporting hub.

In his address, Sheikh Joaan emphasized unity as a cornerstone of progress in Asian sport.

“Asia is the largest and most diverse continent within the Olympic family. This diversity is our greatest strength, but it also requires us to work in unity, guided by mutual respect and our shared commitment to Olympic values,” he said.

“Through unity, we transform diversity into opportunity. We empower our National Olympic Committees and provide a platform for our youth to excel on the world’s sporting stage. Together, let us work towards a more united, stronger, and successful OCA. Together for Asia.”

Sheikh Joaan also paid tribute to his predecessor, saying: “I wish to express my sincere appreciation to my dear friend His Excellency Mr. Raja Randhir Singh for his leadership, vision, and tireless efforts during challenging times.”

During the meeting, members reviewed updates on upcoming major multi-sport events. Organizers confirmed that the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games will take place from September 19 to October 4, 2026, while the Sanya Asian Beach Games are scheduled for April 22 to 30, 2026.

The organizing committee of the 6th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, set to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from February 8 to 10, 2026, also presented the latest updates on preparations for the event.

Meanwhile, the Executive Office of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has appointed Sheikh Fahad Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, President of the Kuwait Olympic Committee, as Vice President of its Council for the West Asia region.

According to a statement from the Kuwait Olympic Committee, the appointment reflects the high level of trust and respect Kuwait holds within the Asian sports community. It also highlights the committee’s proactive role in promoting and developing the Olympic movement at both regional and continental levels.

The committee emphasized that this new position will further enhance Kuwait’s presence on the Asian sports stage and support initiatives aimed at advancing sports development across West Asia.