Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad announces candidacy for President of the Olympic Council of Asia

Doha, Qatar: President of the Qatar Olympic Committee and Senior Vice President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) HE Sheikh Joa...

Doha, Qatar: President of the Qatar Olympic Committee and Senior Vice President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, has officially announced his candidacy for the Presidency of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), reaffirming his commitment to contributing to the development and unity of Asian sport in the years ahead.

The announcement follows the Olympic Council of Asia’s official call for nominations for the presidential elections, issued on July 15, 2025, in preparation for the upcoming General Assembly, which will be held in January 2026 in the city of Tashkent.

On this occasion, HE Sheikh Joaan expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation to HE Raja Randhir Singh, the current OCA President, 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. His Excellency also fully supported the OCA Executive Board’s decision to appoint HE Raja Randhir Singh as Honorary Life President of the Olympic Council of Asia, in recognition of his longstanding service and enduring legacy within the Olympic Movement in Asia.

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.