His Excellency Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani was elected on Monday as President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) during the 46th General Assembly held in Tashkent, with the participation of all 45 Asian National Olympic Committees. The election followed the resignation of Randhir Singh for health reasons and places the Qatari leader at the helm of the world’s largest regional sports organisation.
The General Assembly brought together more than 350 sports leaders and institutional representatives from the host country, in a context shaped by the leadership transition at the OCA and the review of Asia’s multi-sport calendar. With this appointment, Sheikh Joaan becomes a central reference point at a pivotal moment for the development and governance of sport across the continent.
Asia’s diversity as its greatest strength
In his address to the Assembly, the new President presented his vision under the slogan “Together for Asia”, delivering a message focused on unity and cooperation among National Olympic Committees. “Asia is the largest and most diverse continent within the Olympic family. This diversity is our greatest strength, but it also requires us to work in unity, guided by mutual respect and our shared commitment to Olympic values,” he said.
Sheikh Joaan outlined a roadmap aimed at strengthening solidarity and development across Asia, supporting sporting excellence, promoting good governance and advancing OCA events and programmes that are sustainable, inclusive and credible. He also stressed the importance of embracing innovation responsibly and of strengthening Asia’s international representation within the Olympic movement.
The new President emphasised the role of sport as a tool for cohesion and understanding, highlighting its ability to act as a “universal language of peace, mutual respect and cultural understanding”. In this context, he reaffirmed his commitment to placing athletes and future generations at the centre of Asian Olympic action, providing platforms that allow them to develop and compete at the highest international level. Sheikh Joaan also paid tribute to his predecessor, thanking Randhir Singh for “his leadership, vision and tireless efforts” during a period marked by significant challenges for continental sport.
Doha’s growth under his leadership
Alongside his new role, Sheikh Joaan serves as President of the Qatar Olympic Committee and as Senior Vice President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), positions through which he has built extensive experience in Olympic governance and multi-sport management. His profile has been endorsed by broad consensus among Asian committees, which have highlighted his leadership capacity and deep understanding of the international sports ecosystem.
Under his presidency in Qatar, Doha has consolidated its position as one of the world’s leading hosts of major sporting events, staging world championships and top-level multi-sport competitions. This trajectory has strengthened the country’s standing on the global Olympic and sporting stage.
Agenda and upcoming challenges for the OCA
The OCA General Assembly also reviewed key milestones in the continental calendar, with particular focus on the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya and the Asian Beach Games scheduled in Sanya, alongside other multi-sport events in preparation. These projects form part of an agenda that will require coordination, institutional stability and a shared vision among the continent’s National Olympic Committees.
With the election of Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani, the Olympic Council of Asia enters a new phase aimed at strengthening continental cooperation and consolidating Asia’s role as one of the pillars of the international Olympic movement.
