Qatar's participation in Aichi-Nagoya 2026 has been positive, impressive: QOC secretary-general

NAGOYA: Secretary-General of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, said Qatar's participation in the 20th Asian Games - Aichi-Nagoya 2026, which concluded Sunday in Japan, was positive and achieved its intended goals, both on the sporting front, through the national teams' incredible results, and on the promotional and cultural fronts, through the notable presence of House of Qatar (Bayt Qatar) in Nagoya.

Speaking after the Games concluded, Al Buenain added that the participation wasn't aimed solely at securing results or pursuing medals but was part of the strategic plan to prepare the national teams for upcoming contests, foremost among them the Doha 2030 21st Asian Games.

He emphasized that participation would help gird the teams for these upcoming Games and strengthen their ability to compete strongly.

He further explained that the participation represented a consequential milestone in the plan to prepare the national teams for Doha 2030, with QOC and national sports federations seeking to blend experience with developing young talent whose skills are being honed through participation in major competitions.

The objective, he outlined, is to build a pool of athletes capable of representing the national teams and competing in upcoming events.

The results achieved represented a first since the 2010 Asian Games, the Secretary-General underlined, with Qatar winning medals in 10 different sports for the first time, bringing its total to 18 medals.

He highlighted the support of President of the OCA, HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, as well as the close follow-up and oversight provided by a team formed within the Qatar Olympic Committee in lockstep with the national federations.

Al Buenain said another positive indicator of Qatar's participation was winning medals for the first time in sports such as padel, while other sports returned to the medal podium at the Asian Games, including karate, wrestling and weightlifting. This, he said, reflects a broader base of competition and the continued development of several sports.

He heaped praise on the results achieved by Qatar's national teams in team sports, noting that the team events made a notable showing, with the national handball, beach volleyball and 3x3 basketball teams winning medals.

The results underscore Qatar's continued presence in team-sport competitions and the national teams' ability to compete at the continental level, he noted, while highlighting the widespread acclaim received by Bayt Qatar during the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games. The venue served as a platform for showcasing Qatar's culture, heritage and national identity, while also providing a space for interaction with fans and participating delegations, Al Buenain remarked.

He said Bayt Qatar welcomed nearly 5,000 visitors over the course of the Games, averaging about 250 visitors a day, in addition to members of the Qatari delegation and guests attending the reception hosted by the Qatar Olympic Committee.

Al Buenain added that this turnout reflected the attention Bayt Qatar received and underscored the importance of using sport as a means of fostering people-to-people ties, while showcasing Qatar's rich cultural and civilizational heritage and its ability to host and organize major sporting events.

He also highlighted the efforts of all members of QOC's delegation at Aichi-Nagoya 2026, as well as the administrative delegation, which encountered formidable challenges during the Games while working hard to ensure the comfort of Qatari athletes and marshalling extensive efforts to support them.

Al Buenain also lauded the Bayt Qatar delegation, which presented a bright image of Qatar at events and gatherings throughout the Games, as well as the Doha 2030 delegation, which was present in Nagoya and observed the organization and preparations for the Games.

Lastly, Al Buenain said the assessment of Qatar's participation in the 20th Asian Games shouldn't be limited to the medal tally; rather, it should also factor in the experience gained by the athletes, the emergence of promising young talent, the development of several federations and the strengthening of Qatar's sporting and cultural presence across Asia, in line with the preparations for the next stage leading up to the Doha 2030 21st Asian Games.