Sanya: President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, attended the grand opening ceremony of the 6th Asian Beach Games – Sanya 2026 on Wednesday evening at Yasha Park.
The ceremony took place in a festive and vibrant atmosphere that beautifully showcased the rich cultural diversity of Asia, with a spectacular 75-minute program featuring three themed segments centered on passion, dreams, and connection.
The event was attended by several high-level officials and sports leaders, including State Councilor of the People’s Republic of China Shen Yiqin; Honorary President for Life of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach; and Director General of the Olympic Council of Asia Husain Al Musallam, along with members of the OCA Executive Board and Vice Presidents.
Also present from Qatar were Second Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee H E Dr. Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari; Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee H E Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain; and Qatar’s Consul in Guangzhou Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Hajri.
This edition of the Asian Beach Games marks the first major Asian sporting event organized under the leadership of H E Sheikh Joaan as President of the Olympic Council of Asia.
It signals the start of a new era focused on empowering youth and enhancing the role of sport as a powerful platform for cooperation and unity among Asian nations.
The 6th Asian Beach Games form part of the OCA’s busy 2026 multi-sport calendar. They will be followed by the Asian Games in Aichi–Nagoya, Japan (19 September – 4 October 2026), and the 6th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (13–21 December 2026).
The Games will run until 30 April 2026 and feature approximately 1,790 male and female athletes from 45 Asian countries competing in 14 sports and 62 events. Organizers expect a high-standard edition both in terms of organization and athletic performance.
HE Sheikh Joaan expressed strong confidence in Sanya’s ability to deliver a successful and memorable Games, highlighting the event’s importance in promoting beach sports and regional collaboration.
