The 46th General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) was held in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. As a result of the assembly, Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar was elected as the new President of the organization. He became the 22nd President of the OCA since the first multi-sport Games in Asia were held in 1913.

The elections took place within the framework of the OCA General Assembly with the participation of representatives from 45 National Olympic Committees of Asian countries. The meeting was also attended by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, who serves as Senior Vice President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) and President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, presented his vision for the development of the organization under the slogan “Together for Asia.”

Among the priority areas, he highlighted strengthening solidarity and the development of sport in Asia, supporting sporting achievements, promoting the principles of good governance, responsibly implementing innovations, and ensuring the sustainability, inclusiveness, and transparency of OCA events and programs. Special attention will also be given to expanding international representation and promoting Asia’s interests, as well as emphasizing the role of sport as a universal language of peace, mutual respect, and cultural dialogue.

Addressing the delegates, the newly elected President noted that Asia’s diversity is its key strength and, when combined with unity, can become a source of new opportunities for the development of the Olympic Movement and for supporting young people on the global sporting stage.