The General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), held yesterday in the Uzbek capital Tashkent, elected His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani as President of the Council. He was the sole candidate for the position, marking the beginning of a new phase in the journey of Olympic work across the Asian continent.

This election reflects the high level of confidence His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani enjoys within the Asian Olympic family, as well as the appreciation of the National Olympic Committees for his leadership role and accumulated experience in sports administration at both continental and international levels.

In his address to the General Assembly, His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani affirmed that his acceptance of the presidency of the Olympic Council of Asia stems from a deep sense of responsibility toward the Asian Olympic family. He emphasized his commitment to serving all National Olympic Committees across Asia and to placing the interests of athletes at the heart of Olympic work.

He explained that his vision for the Council’s work in the coming phase is based on strengthening solidarity among Asian nations, entrenching the principles of good governance, and supporting the sustainable development of sport. This also includes expanding opportunities to host international events in the continent, empowering athletes, and inspiring future generations. He stressed the importance of joint action and effective partnership with all stakeholders of the Olympic Movement to serve the advancement of Asian sport.

During the General Assembly proceedings, His Excellency President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, awarded His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani the Uzbek Olympic Committee’s Special Order of Honor, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the development of the Olympic Movement and his active role in enhancing the status of Asian sport.

His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani is regarded as one of the most prominent sports leaders in the State of Qatar and the Asian region. Since 2015, he has led the development of Qatari sport in his capacity as President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, adopting an integrated strategic vision that strengthened Qatar’s presence at both continental and international levels, and firmly established the country’s position as a global destination for hosting major sporting events.