Ayo Victor
DOHA: Qatar will send a 243-member athlete contingent to the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games in Japan, with the national team aiming for strong performances at the continent’s biggest multi-sport event.
The 20th edition of the Asian Games will be held across Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya from September 19 to October 4, bringing together athletes from 45 countries and regions under the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).
The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) yesterday held a press conference to announce details of the country’s participation and preparations.
Qatar’s contingent comprises 184 male and 59 female athletes, representing an increase from its participation at the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, where the country won 14 medals, five gold, six silver and three bronze.
Several of Qatar’s leading stars will return to the Asian Games stage, including high jump legend Mutaz Barshim, hurdler Abderrahman Samba and beach volleyball duo Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan, all of whom won gold in Hangzhou.
The squad will also feature Olympic medal-winning shooter and rally legend Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah, weightlifting stars Fares Ibrahim and Ouisal Ikhlef, as well as shooters Rashid Saleh Al Athba and Reem Al Sharshani, among other prominent athletes.
Qatar will compete in 26 sports and 32 disciplines through 18 national sports federations. The programme includes athletics, football, basketball, 3x3 basketball, handball, volleyball, beach volleyball, squash, padel, taekwondo, judo, artistic gymnastics, golf, shooting, swimming, jiu-jitsu, esports, sailing, equestrian sports, karate, fencing, archery, wrestling, boxing, weightlifting and table tennis.
The Games will also serve as an important competitive platform for Qatar ahead of major future events, particularly the Doha 2030 Asian Games.
Head of Qatar’s Administrative Delegation Ahmed Yousef Al-Darwish said preparations had been underway since the conclusion of the previous edition.
“Preparations have been carried out as required, with a large working group coordinating with the sports federations to ensure the best conditions for our athletes and delegations. Our main goal is to represent Qatar with honour,” he said.
Al-Darwish added that Aichi-Nagoya 2026 would be an important milestone as Qatar prepares to host the next Asian Games in Doha in 2030.
He also hailed the participation of 59 female athletes as a positive reflection of the growing presence of Qatari women in sport.
Deputy Head of Qatar’s Administrative Delegation Iman Al-Emadi said all necessary preparations and logistical arrangements had been completed in coordination with the participating federations.
“We hope our delegation will represent Qatar in the best possible light,” she said, expressing hope that the country’s female athletes would make a strong contribution to the medal tally.
Meanwhile, member of the Administrative Delegation Naji Al-Omari said arrangements covering accommodation, transportation and other logistical requirements had been finalised to allow athletes to focus fully on their competitions.
The Mirqab platform has also been launched as an integrated hub for following Qatar’s participation, providing news, updates and key information on the national delegation throughout the Games.
A Qatari guest house will also operate during the event as a permanent venue to showcase the country’s culture and promote Qatar throughout the Asian Games.