Sanya: President of the Olympic Council of Asia, H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, chaired the 109th Executive Board meeting in Sanya, China, held on the sidelines of the Asian Beach Games Sanya 2026.
Opening the session, Sheikh Joaan welcomed board members and praised their continued efforts in advancing the Asian Olympic Movement. The meeting reviewed key agenda items, including the approval of minutes from the previous meeting in Kuwait and updates from organising committees.
One of the highlights of the meeting was a progress report on the Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026, where organisers confirmed that the Games will feature 43 sports, 70 disciplines, and 468 events, alongside strong public engagement and promising ticket sales.
The Board also examined financial updates, including audited interim statements for the first quarter of 2026, as well as reports from the Audit and Risk Committee, underlining the Council’s commitment to governance and transparency.
Discussions extended to future hosting plans, including a letter of intent from Mongolia to stage the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games 2030. Sheikh Joaan reaffirmed the OCA’s dedication to carefully evaluating bids amid growing continental interest in hosting major events.
The Council confirmed that Cebu City in the Philippines will host the 7th Asian Beach Games in 2028, with an agreement set to be signed on April 27. Additionally, Johor in Malaysia was granted hosting rights for the 8th edition in 2029.
Looking ahead, Doha will host the next OCA General Assembly on January 27, 2027, where the President for the 2027–2035 term will be elected.
The Board also approved the appointment of Kudrat Shamiev as Vice President of the OCA for the Asian Winter Games Almaty 2029.
The meeting reaffirmed the OCA’s commitment to strengthening collaboration among National Olympic Committees and driving the continued growth and excellence of sport across Asia.
