FROM LEFT: Head of the Media Delegation Abdullah Mohammed Al-Marri, Head of Qatar’s Administrative Delegation Ahmed Yousef Al-Darwish, Deputy Head of Qatar’s Administrative Delegation Iman Al-Emadi and Member of the Administrative Delegation Naji Al-Omari during a press conference in Doha yesterday.
Doha, Qatar: Qatar will send 243 athletes to the Asian Games in Japan with the national contingent aiming for strong performances at the continent’s biggest multi-sport event, which will be held from September 19 to October 4.
Officially known as the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, the 20th edition will be held across Aichi Prefecture and the city of Nagoya, with athletes from 45 countries and regions under the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) set to compete.
The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) yesterday held a press conference to announce details of Qatar’s participation and preparations for the multi-sporting event.
The Qatari contingent, comprising 184 male and 59 female athletes, marks a significant increase from the country’s participation at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, which were delayed due to COVID-19. Qatar had more than 180 athletes at the previous edition, where it won 14 medals, including five gold, six silver and three bronze.
Qatar will once again have several of its leading athletes in the line-up including high jump legend Mutaz Barshim, hurdler Abderrahman Samba and beach volleyball duo Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan returning after all four struck gold in Hangzhou.
The contingent is also strengthened by former Olympic medal-winning shooter Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah – also a rally legend – star weightlifters Fares Ibrahim and Ouisal Ikhlef, and shooting duo Rashid Saleh Al Athba and Reem Al Sharshani, alongside a number of other talented athletes.
Qatar will compete in 26 sports and 32 disciplines, represented by 18 national sports federations. The sports include athletics, football, basketball, 3x3 basketball, handball, volleyball, beach volleyball, squash, padel, taekwondo, judo, artistic gymnastics, golf, shooting, swimming, jiu-jitsu, esports, sailing, equestrian sports, karate, fencing, archery, wrestling, boxing, weightlifting and table tennis.
The Aichi-Nagoya Games will also provide an important competitive platform for Qatari athletes ahead of major future events, particularly the Doha 2030 Asian Games, which Qatar is preparing to host.
Head of Qatar’s Administrative Delegation Ahmed Yousef Al-Darwish said preparations for the Games had been underway since the conclusion of the previous edition in China.
“Preparations have been carried out as required, with a large working group coordinating with the sports federations to ensure the best conditions for our athletes and delegations. Our main goal is to represent Qatar with honour,” he said.
“With the Games ending, our focus will shift to Doha, which will host the Asian Games in 2030. Aichi-Nagoya 2026 is therefore an important milestone, both competitively and in preparing for the next edition,” he added.
Al-Darwish said the participation of 59 female athletes was a positive indicator of the growing presence of Qatari women across sport.
Deputy Head of Qatar’s Administrative Delegation Iman Al-Emadi said the mission had completed its preparations for the Games.
“We have coordinated with all participating sports federations and completed the necessary logistical arrangements and equipment. We hope our delegation will represent Qatar in the best possible light,” she said.
“Women’s participation is also important, and I hope our female athletes will play a key role and contribute to winning medals and raising Qatar’s flag high,” she added.
Member of the Administrative Delegation Naji Al-Omari said Aichi-Nagoya 2026 was an important milestone for Qatari sport and an opportunity to reflect its development.
“We have completed the necessary preparations, including hotels, transportation and other logistical arrangements, to ensure the delegation is fully ready. Our aim is to provide athletes with the right conditions to focus on their competitions, perform at their best and achieve the desired results,” he said.
Head of the Media Delegation Abdullah Mohammed Al-Marri also spoke at the press conference, outlining the arrangements.
Meanwhile, the Mirqab platform has been launched as an integrated hub for following Qatar’s participation at Aichi-Nagoya 2026, providing news, updates and key information on the Qatari delegation.
A Qatari guest house has also been established to serve as a permanent venue throughout the Games, showcasing and promoting Qatari culture.
