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27 Sep’ 2026
Olympic Council of Asia and Croatian Olympic Committee Sign MOU to Strengthen Sports Cooperation
His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the OCA and the Croatian Olympic Committee, represented by its President, Dr Josip Varvodic, to strengthen their partnership and develop cooperation across various areas of sport.
The MOU provides for the exchange of expertise and knowledge, the organisation of training and development programmes, and capacity-building in the design, preparation and maintenance of sports facilities. It also includes support for the establishment of a Croatian high-performance training centre.
The MOU reflects the OCA’s commitment to expanding sports cooperation and the exchange of expertise with National Olympic Committees around the world.
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Team Qatar Begin Padel Campaign Against Kazakhstan at Asian Games
Aichi-Nagoya - Qatar begin their padel campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games today with two teams competing and high ambitions of challenging for the medals. Pasted markdown “Qatar 1” are represented by Mohammed Saadoun Al Kuwari and Hassan Wali, while “Qatar 2” comprise Mishari Nawaf and Rashid Nawaf. Qatar 1 open their campaign against Kazakhstan in what promises to be a challenging encounter, with the Qatari pair looking to produce a strong performance and make a successful start. The draw has also kept the two Qatari teams apart until the final should both continue progressing through the competition. Qatar 2, meanwhile, will face Kuwait tomorrow, with Mishari Nawaf and Rashid Nawaf aiming for a strong start and a place in the latter stages. Rashid Abdulla Al Athba, Head of the Padel Delegation, confirmed that the national team are ready for the competition, noting that both pairs had played several friendly matches and completed extensive training in preparation for the Games. He said the objective is to progress as far as possible and compete strongly for the medals, stressing that both pairs have completed their preparations and are determined to achieve results that meet Qatar’s ambitions. Mishari Nawaf also expressed his readiness for the padel competition and his hope of winning a medal to add to Qatar’s sporting achievements and make the fans proud. He praised the organisation of the Games and the venues hosting the padel competition, saying the atmosphere surrounding the event gives the players additional motivation to perform at their best
Team Qatar Overcome Hong Kong in Asian Games Volleyball Opener
Aichi-Nagoya - Qatar’s men’s national volleyball team opened their Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games campaign with an important 3–1 victory over Hong Kong in Group C. Team Qatar started strongly in an evenly contested opening set. Hong Kong led until the seventh point before Qatar moved 8–7 ahead. The teams remained close at 9–9 before Qatar began to take control, moving 13–11 and then 19–17 ahead. Hong Kong reduced the deficit to one point at 19–18, but Qatar responded by extending their lead to 22–18, then 23–18 and 24–19, before taking the opening set 25–20. Qatar again started strongly in the second set, leading 6–4, 10–7 and 12–7.
Bassem Mohammed Advances to Men’s 400m Hurdles Final at Asian Games
Aichi-Nagoya - Team Qatar athlete Bassem Mohammed qualified for the men’s 400m hurdles final at the 20th Asian Games in Japan. Pasted markdown Bassem topped his semi-final yesterday with a time of 49.55 seconds to secure his place in today’s final. He will be aiming to challenge for another Asian Games medal after claiming silver in the 400m hurdles at the previous edition in Hangzhou, China. Team Qatar athlete Abderrahman Samba was ruled out of the men’s 400m hurdles at the 20th Asian Games – Aichi-Nagoya 2026 after suffering an injury. Pasted markdown The Qatar Athletics Federation announced through its official account that Samba’s injury had been confirmed and would prevent him from competing in the 400m hurdles semi-final.Samba had been considered one of Team Qatar’s leading medal contenders at Aichi-Nagoya 2026, but the unexpected injury brought his campaign to an end. He underwent medical examinations to assess his condition and begin treatment as he looks to return to competition as soon as possible.Likewise, an injury has prevented Team Qatar high jump star Mutaz Barshim from competing at the 20th Asian Games – Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Japan. Pasted markdown The Qatar Athletics Federation announced on its official account yesterday: “Injury prevents our champion Mutaz Barshim from competing in the Asian Games high jump final. Wishing you a speedy recovery, champion, and we hope to see you return stronger.” Barshim had been expected to challenge for another Asian Games medal and add to his outstanding record after previously winning three gold medals. He claimed gold at Guangzhou 2010 in China and Incheon 2014 in South Korea, missed Jakarta 2018 through injury, and returned to win gold at Hangzhou 2022 in China.
Fares Ibrahim Begins Asian Games Campaign Today
Aichi-Nagoya -Team Qatar weightlifting champion Fares Ibrahim will compete today at the 20th Asian Games in Japan, looking to produce a strong performance at Aichi-Nagoya 2026. Fares won the silver medal at the Jakarta-Palembang 2018 Asian Games in the 94kg category after recording a total of 381kg, comprising 166kg in the snatch and 215kg in the clean and jerk, setting a world record at the time. That silver medal represented an important milestone in Fares’ career before he went on to achieve Olympic glory by winning gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, establishing himself as one of the leading names in the history of Qatari and Asian weightlifting.