Leadership transition marks a new chapter for Asia’s Olympic movement following decision at OCA General Assembly.
Tashkent | ASJFNews
Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani has been elected President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) during the 46th General Assembly held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, assuming leadership of the continent’s largest sporting body.
The decision was taken with the participation of representatives from 45 National Olympic Committees across Asia, alongside Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, underscoring the institutional weight of the gathering.
Sheikh Joaan becomes the 22nd President of the OCA, an organization founded in 1913, and will serve the remainder of the current term following the resignation of former President Raja Randhir Singh, who stepped down due to health reasons.
In his address, Sheikh Joaan emphasized Asia’s diversity as a core strength of the Olympic movement, calling for unity, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to Olympic values. He highlighted the importance of strengthening National Olympic Committees and creating platforms that enable young athletes to compete and succeed at the highest global level.
Before this appointment, Sheikh Joaan served as President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) and President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, positions that have placed him at the center of international sports governance.
The leadership transition comes at a time when the OCA faces growing responsibilities in managing continental competitions, supporting athlete development, and navigating the expanding role of Asia within the global Olympic framework.