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10 Sep’ 2025
QAF Announces Arrival of Team Qatar Athletes in Japan
DOHA – The Qatar Athletics Federation (QAF) announced on Wednesday the arrival of the national athletics team in Tokyo, ahead of their participation in the 25th World Athletics Championships, which will take place in Japan from September 13 to 21. The global event is set to feature more than 2,000 athletes from over 200 nations, competing for more than 100 medals.
In a statement published on its official account on the social media platform X, QAF confirmed that the team had checked into the designated athletes’ hotel, allocated for competitors in both track and field events, following the conclusion of their preparatory camp in Narita, Japan.
The federation emphasized that Team Qatar enters this edition of the championships with high ambitions, spearheaded by Olympic and world champion Mutaz Barshim in the high jump, alongside world-class hurdler Abderrahman Samba, who will compete in the 400m hurdles as well as the 4x400m relay with the Qatari relay squad.
Qatar’s delegation includes 12 athletes: Mutaz Barshim, Abderrahman Samba, Ismail Dawood, Omar Dawood, Bassem Hemeida, Saif Mohammed, Ashraf Hussein, Ammar Ismail, Ibrahim Zakaria, Khalid Hussein, Abdulaziz Youssef, and Ahmed Haroun.
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Ali Tamer Reaches Asian Games 100m Freestyle Final with National Record
TOKYO – Qatari swimmer Ali Tamer booked his place in the men’s 100m freestyle final at the 20th Asian Games (Aichi-Nagoya 2026) on Sunday, setting a new national record in the process.Competing in the preliminary heats at the Aquatics Centre, Tamer finished second in his heat in 48.65 seconds to qualify for the final and lower his previous national record of 49.10 seconds.Tamer will look to build on his strong showing in the final as he seeks to deliver a notable performance for Qatari swimming.Qatar’s swimming team will return to action on Monday in the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay, aiming to produce another strong performance at the continental Games.Qatar’s swimming delegation comprises seven athletes: Mohamed Mahmoud, Ali Tamer, Saad Eddin Saad Eddin, Emil Mounir Fouzai, Abdullah Al Ghamri, Tamim Al Humaida and Mohamed Aziz Jilani.The swimming program at Aichi-Nagoya 2026 features 41 individual and relay events.The 20th Asian Games are being held in Japan from September 19 to October 4, 2026.
H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani holds media dialogue session at Aichi-Nagoya 2026
Aichi-Nagoya-His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Olympic Council of Asia, held a wide-ranging dialogue session with a number of media representatives covering the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026. The session addressed a range of topics related to the Games and the Olympic Movement in Asia, including the role of sport in bringing the continent’s peoples closer together and strengthening unity, as well as the importance of providing athletes and participating delegations with the best possible conditions to perform at their highest level. His Excellency also outlined the OCA’s vision for the continued development of sport across the continent and for further strengthening the Asian Games as a platform that brings together athletes from diverse cultures in a spirit of fair competition and mutual respect. The session featured an open discussion, during which the OCA President answered questions from media representatives about the Games and a number of issues related to Asian sport. He reaffirmed the OCA’s commitment to working closely with National Olympic Committees, sports federations and organising committees to serve athletes and enhance their overall experience. The session reflected the OCA’s commitment to strengthening engagement with the media, sharing its vision and strategic direction, and highlighting the important role of the media in conveying the message and values of the Asian Games to audiences across the continent and around the world.
OCA President Sheikh Joaan visits Main Press Centre and International Broadcast Centre at Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Nagoya
Aichi-Nagoya - His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Olympic Council of Asia and President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, visited the Main Press Centre and International Broadcast Centre of the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026, accompanied by International Olympic Committee Her President Kirsty Coventry. Sheikh Joaan and President Coventry toured the various facilities and operational areas, where they were introduced to the advanced technical infrastructure, cutting-edge production services and innovative solutions being used to manage the broadcast and media coverage of the Games. They also visited the workspaces, studios and broadcasting facilities, and reviewed the services provided to media representatives and rights-holding broadcasters from across Asia and around the world, as well as the systems in place to support their work and enable them to deliver high-quality coverage of the Games. Following their tour of the International Broadcast Centre, Sheikh Joaan and President Coventry met with nine OCA young reporters at the Main Press Centre. The young reporters, selected from across the continent as part of the OCA’s “Asian Games for All” project, were warmly welcomed by Sheikh Joaan and President Coventry. During the meeting, they gained insight into more about the young reporters’ experiences covering the Games and the program’s role in developing the skills of the next generation of sports journalists by providing them with valuable hands-on experience at one of Asia’s largest sporting events. The visit formed part of the ongoing review of the media and operational arrangements for the Games and highlighted the important role of the state-of-the-art facilities in bringing Asia’s premier multi-sport event to audiences around the world.
In Presence of Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad, Emperor Naruhito Opens Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games
Aichi-Nagoya - H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), attended the Opening Ceremony of the 20th Asian Games – Aichi-Nagoya 2026, held at the Mizuho Park Athletics Stadium in Nagoya, Japan. Emperor Naruhito of Japan officially declared the Games open, in the presence of Empress Masako, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, IOC President Kirsty Coventry, as well as a number of senior officials and sports leaders. In his address during the ceremony, H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad said that the eyes of Asia and the world are now on Japan, and that what unfolds over the coming days will inspire people across the continent and demonstrate what can be achieved when Asia comes together through sport. On behalf of the Olympic Council of Asia and all 45 National Olympic Committees, His Excellency expressed his gratitude to the Government of Japan, Aichi Prefecture, the City of Nagoya, the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Organizing Committee and the Japanese Olympic Committee for their significant efforts in organizing the Games. His Excellency praised Japan as a nation that prides itself on excellence, discipline and respect, and one that brings together ancient traditions and modern ambitions. He also highlighted Japan’s longstanding position at the forefront of world sport and its ability to rise to the challenge whenever the world has needed it. Reflecting on his personal journey with the Asian Games, H.E. Sheikh Joaan said: “We all carry our own personal journey with the Games. For me, that journey began as a torch relay ambassador at the Doha 2006 Asian Games. Twenty years later, I stand here as OCA President. And in those twenty years, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of the Games.” His Excellency concluded his address by saying: “Japan has set the stage. Now it is time for Asia to inspire the world once again.”Aichi-Nagoya 2026 brings together 11,000 male and female athletes representing 45 National Olympic Committees, competing across 43 sports and 469 events. The Games will continue until 4 October.