HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of Qatar Olympic Committee and Senior Vice President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), has officially announced his candidacy for the post of Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) President, reaffirming his commitment to contributing to the development and unity of Asian sports.
The announcement followed OCA’s official call for nominations for presidential elections, issued on July 15, in preparation for the upcoming General Assembly, which will be held in Tashkent in January, 2026.
HE Sheikh Joaan expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation to current OCA President Raja Randhir Singh, for his significant contributions and dedicated leadership in advancing Asian sport, as well as his unwavering commitment to strengthening solidarity and cooperation among National Olympic Committees across the continent.
He also fully supported the OCA Executive Board’s decision to appoint Raja Randhir Singh as Honorary Life President of the OCA, in recognition of his longstanding service and enduring legacy within the Olympic Movement in the continent.
HE Sheikh Joaan affirmed that his candidacy is rooted in a strong belief in the power of sport to foster development and unity among nations. He emphasized the potential of Asian sport to achieve transformational progress in areas such as governance, sustainability, digital transformation, and athlete empowerment.
He also highlighted the importance of promoting fairness in opportunity distribution, strengthening collaboration among NOCs, enhancing sports infrastructure, and creating greater platforms for youth and women to take part in shaping the future of sport in Asia.
Sheikh Joaan’s candidature is built on an ambitious strategic vision for Asian sport, grounded in five core pillars — solidarity, digital transformation, sustainable development, credibility, and economic and financial resilience.
It is underpinned by Sheikh Joaan’s extensive experience in sports, his proven track record at the helm of the Qatar Olympic Committee, and his active role within the international Olympic Movement, particularly as Senior Vice President of ANOC.
The upcoming OCA election is expected to draw significant interest from the international sporting community, amid growing global challenges and the need for dynamic leadership that promotes transparency, cooperation, and innovation across the Asian sports landscape.
Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Kuwait City, the Olympic Council of Asia is one of the most prominent continental sports organizations. It brings together 45 National Olympic Committees and plays a pivotal role in coordinating regional sports activities, supporting development initiatives, and enhancing cooperation in governance, infrastructure, and institutional capacity building.
The OCA also oversees the organization of major multi-sport events including the Asian Games, Asian Winter Games, Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, Asian Beach Games, and the Asian Youth Games — competitions that continue to elevate Asia’s sporting profile on the world stage.
---
Make sure to check out our social media to keep track of the latest content.
Instagram - @qatarliving
X - @qatarliving
Facebook - Qatar Living
YouTube - qatarlivingofficial
%20(1).png&w=1007&q=75)