Staff Reporter
Doha: The fourth edition of the GCC Games Doha 2026 officially commenced on Monday evening with a distinguished Opening Ceremony held at Al Shaqab in the presence of Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Olympic Council of Asia, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Games.
The ceremony reflected the Gulf region’s continued commitment to sport and its growing reputation for hosting major international sporting events.
A number of GCC leaders, ministers, presidents of Olympic committees and senior sports officials attended the opening, including Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Sheikh Fahad Nasser Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, Sayyid Azzan bin Qais Al Said and Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa.
Also in attendance were Dr. Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain and Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid Al Thani.
The Games will feature more than 1,400 athletes and officials competing across 17 sports over 11 days, reinforcing Qatar’s standing as a world-class sporting destination.
In his address, Sheikh Joaan stressed the unifying power of sport, noting that the Games provide a platform to strengthen dialogue, cooperation and understanding among Gulf nations at a time of global uncertainty.
He highlighted Qatar’s long-standing investment in sports infrastructure and event hosting, pointing to the legacy of the Doha 2006 Asian Games and the country’s hosting of more than 20 world championships over the past two decades.
Competitions will be staged at several world-class venues across Qatar, including Aspire Dome, Hamad Aquatic Centre, Lusail Shooting Range and Duhail Arena.
The sports programme includes athletics, swimming, volleyball, handball, taekwondo, karate, padel, boxing, equestrian, shooting and 3×3 basketball, among others.
Qatar’s WADA-accredited anti-doping laboratory will oversee testing throughout the Games, which follow the previous edition held in Kuwait City in 2022.
