Al-Musallam with Ohmura, Governor of Nagoya, Japan.

NAGOYA, Sept 24: The countdown to the Aichi–Nagoya 2026 Asian Games has officially begun. Secretary General of the Olympic Council of Asia, Captain Husain Al-Musallam, attended the ceremony in Nagoya, Japan, marking exactly one year until the Games’ opening. The event was held in the presence of Governor Ohmura, the President of the Japanese Olympic Committee, and representatives from national Olympic committees across Asia.

Speaking at the ceremony, Al-Musallam said, “It is an honor to celebrate this milestone, just one year before the Aichi–Nagoya 2026 Asian Games. In 12 months, Nagoya will welcome athletes, officials, and fans from across Asia. These Games will not only showcase sporting excellence but also foster friendship, unity, and cultural exchange among our diverse nations,” highlighting the official slogan: “Imagine One Asia.”

Al-Musallam also expressed gratitude to the organizing committee, noting that the ceremony reflects the unity and cultural richness of the Asian continent.

He further praised Japan’s long-standing support for Asian sports, dating back to 1930, including hosting the Far Eastern Games in Tokyo, the 1958 Asian Games, the 1994 Hiroshima Games, and three editions of the Asian Winter Games in Sapporo and Aomori. The upcoming Nagoya Games will mark the seventh time Japan has hosted the Asian Games, underlining the nation’s enduring commitment to the movement.