Sheikh Joaan Attends Official Opening of the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh

alt
November 7, 2025
shk joaan
7-November-2025

Sheikh Joaan Attends Official Opening of the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh

Riyadh – The 6th edition of the Islamic Solidarity Games was officially inaugurated on Friday by His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Governor of Riyadh, at the Janadriyah Camel Racing Track in the Saudi capital.

The opening ceremony was graced by the presence of His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, First Vice President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) and President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, alongside several presidents of Islamic National Olympic Committees and a number of international sports officials.

Also in attendance were His Excellency Mohammed bin Yousef Al Mana, First Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, and His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, Second Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee.

The ceremony presented a stunning fusion of artistic and technological performances that celebrated Saudi Arabia’s rich culture and the shared Islamic heritage of participating nations  a captivating blend of tradition and modernity. The event also featured the parade of participating nations, official speeches by the organizing committee and the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation, and the raising of the Games’ flag.

The Qatari flag was proudly carried by volleyball player Mubarak Al Kuwari and fencer Dhikrayat Al Abdullah, in recognition of their dedication and achievements  a gesture that reflected the Qatar Olympic Committee’s appreciation for their contributions to national sport.

Running until November 21, the Games bring together over 3,000 athletes from 57 countries, competing across 23 sports including athletics, fencing, 3x3 basketball, swimming, handball, table tennis, camel racing, volleyball, karate, Muay Thai, judo, weightlifting, futsal, wrestling, taekwondo, e-sports, wushu, boxing, equestrian show jumping, duathlon, jiu-jitsu, para-athletics, and para-powerlifting.

Team Qatar is represented by 82 athletes competing in 16 sports: athletics, duathlon, 3x3 basketball, karate, equestrian, wrestling, volleyball, handball, taekwondo, table tennis, judo, weightlifting, camel racing, swimming, fencing, and para-athletics.

Qatar has built a distinguished record in the Islamic Solidarity Games. Its journey began in Makkah 2005 with its first-ever gold medal, followed by Palembang 2013, where the tally rose to five. The Baku 2017 edition marked a breakthrough with 12 medals (2 gold, 3 silver, and 7 bronze), while Konya 2022 saw Qatar maintain its total medal count with an increase in gold to four. Altogether, Qatar’s cumulative achievements at the Games now stand at 30 medals — 8 gold, 8 silver, and 14 bronze.

In competition, Qatar’s judo team begins its campaign on Saturday with Fatina Boukhaous facing Chinidi Tasmani of Mozambique in the women’s under-57 kg round of 16. Meanwhile, the men’s table tennis team Ahmed Saadawi, Mohammed Abdul Wahab, and Abdullah Abdul Wahab will meet Iran in the group stage.

The Qatari volleyball team continues its journey tomorrow with a third-round match against Chad. The squad features Bilal Abunbut, Mubarak Al Kuwari, Naji Mahmoud, Othman Abdul Wahid, Mahdi Samoud, Mohammed Al Walid, Yousef Al Yafai, Abdulrahman Bakri, Abdullah Naseem, Ibrahim Juma, Yousef Ghalaf, and Abdullah Hassanein.

In swimming, Ali Tamer will compete in the men’s 50m freestyle, Mohammed Aziz Ismail in the 50m butterfly, while Mohammed Mahmoud and Hamza Al Shaalan will take part in the 100m breaststroke.

A vibrant celebration of athleticism, culture, and unity  the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh once again stand as a powerful symbol of the brotherhood and shared values that unite the Islamic world through sport.