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27 Oct’ 2025
Islamic Solidarity Games draw places Qatar Handball Team at Top of Group A
Riyadh: The draw for the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games handball competition, to be held in Saudi Arabia from November 7 to 21, placed Team Qatar, the defending champions, at the top of Group A.
Group A also includes Iran, the UAE, and the Maldives, while Group B features Saudi Arabia (host nation), Kuwait, Bahrain, and Iraq.
Handball is one of the most prominent and competitive events at the Islamic Solidarity Games, with a strong lineup of elite Arab and Asian national teams. The draw produced two balanced groups, setting the stage for intense regional matchups.
The Games will be held in Riyadh, bringing together more than 3,000 athletes from 57 Islamic countries, who will compete across 23 sports, including the introduction of camel racing and esports for the first time in the event’s history — reflecting the growing diversity and evolution of the Games.
The group draw presents a promising path for Team Qatar, one of the top contenders for the gold medal. Despite Iran’s notable strength and record in Asian competitions, Qatar’s technical superiority, tactical discipline, and determination to defend its title give the team a strong edge as they aim to retain the championship they won in the previous edition.
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Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Attends Opening Ceremony of 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.
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.
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.
Aichi-Nagoya 2026
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Volleyball
Qatar Women’s Volleyball Team Face Hong Kong
Qatar women’s national volleyball team will face Hong Kong today in the third and final round of Group D at the 20th Asian Games – Aichi-Nagoya 2026 – in Japan. Qatar will be looking for victory to bounce back from yesterday’s 3-0 defeat to South Korea in the second round of Group D. The sets ended 25-6, 25-6 and 25-10.Qatar began their campaign with a 3-0 defeat to Vietnam.The women’s volleyball competition features 14 teams divided into four groups, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the quarter-finals.Qatar women’s volleyball team will be aiming to finish the group stage with a victory and a positive result that builds on the experience gained from their participation in the Asian Games, which provides an important opportunity to compete against continental opposition and gain further experience for the future.