Staff Reporter
Nagoya: Qatar officially received the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) flag on Sunday during the closing ceremony of the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026, officially marking the beginning of its journey towards hosting the 21st Asian Games in Doha in 2030 under the slogan, “The Games We Live For.”
Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani received the OCA flag on behalf of Qatar during the official handover ceremony.
The ceremony also featured the unveiling of the official Doha 2030 identity and slogan, which will define Qatar’s preparations and build-up to the continental sporting extravaganza over the next four years.
The Doha 2030 identity draws inspiration from elements of Qatari heritage while reflecting the country’s vision for the future and its commitment to empowering the next generation.
The slogan, “The Games We Live For,” reflects the aspirations of athletes and nations across Asia, while highlighting the Asian Games as a platform for sporting excellence, shared experiences and inspiration for future generations.
The handover of the OCA flag formally transferred the responsibility for hosting Asia’s biggest multi-sport event from Aichi-Nagoya to Doha.
Qatar will host the Asian Games for the second time, 24 years after Doha welcomed the continent’s leading athletes for the first time in 2006.
The 2006 Doha Asian Games were widely regarded as a landmark event for Qatar and played a significant role in strengthening the country’s position as a major destination for international sporting events.
With Doha 2030, Qatar is set to build on that legacy, drawing on its extensive experience in hosting major international competitions and its world-class sports infrastructure developed over the past two decades.
The 21st Asian Games will bring together thousands of athletes from across Asia to compete in a wide range of sports, providing another opportunity for Qatar to showcase its capabilities as a global sports hub.
The official launch of the Doha 2030 identity marks the start of a new chapter in Qatar’s sporting journey, with the country now turning its attention to delivering an Asian Games that celebrates sporting excellence, Asian unity and the aspirations of future generations.