Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani is poised to become the next President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), a testament to his decade of leadership transforming Qatar’s sports landscape. His anticipated election, scheduled for tomorrow in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, follows a period of unprecedented growth in Qatari sports, marked by hosting major international events and achieving record Olympic success. This transition signifies Qatar’s increasing influence within global sports governance.
The election comes as Sheikh Joaan concludes his tenure as President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), a role he has held since 2015. During this time, Qatar has emerged as a prominent hub for international sporting competitions, and its athletes have achieved significant milestones on the world stage. His leadership has been instrumental in securing future events and fostering a robust sporting ecosystem within the nation.
Qatar’s Rise as a Sporting Power Under Sheikh Joaan
Sheikh Joaan’s presidency of the QOC coincided with a period of substantial investment in sports infrastructure and athlete development. This strategic focus culminated in Qatar’s best-ever performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, with athletes securing a gold medal in high jump (Mutaz Barshim) and weightlifting (Fares Ibrahim), alongside a bronze in beach volleyball. According to the QOC, this success underscored the effectiveness of their long-term development programs.
Hosting Major International Events
Qatar has successfully hosted a diverse range of world-class events under Sheikh Joaan’s leadership. These include the 2015 Men’s Handball World Championship, the 2019 World Athletics Championships, the 2019 ANOC World Beach Games, and most notably, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Additionally, the country recently hosted the AFC Asian Cup (2023) and the World Aquatics Championships (2024), demonstrating its logistical capabilities and commitment to sporting excellence.
Beyond these flagship events, Qatar consistently features on the international sporting calendar with events like the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix and ATP/WTA tennis tournaments. This consistent hosting of high-profile competitions has boosted Qatar’s international profile and contributed to its economic diversification.
Securing Future Sporting Events
Sheikh Joaan played a pivotal role in securing the rights to host the 2030 Asian Games in Doha, marking a return of the event after the successful 2006 edition. He also led the bid that secured the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup, the first time the tournament will be held in the Middle East and North Africa region. These successful bids reflect the growing confidence in Qatar’s ability to deliver exceptional sporting experiences.
Furthermore, the QOC’s 2023-2030 strategy, focused on athlete development through the Aspire Foundation and promoting Olympic values, aims to build on this momentum. Capacity building through the Qatar Olympic Academy remains a key priority, fostering a new generation of sports administrators and professionals. This commitment to development is aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030.
Sheikh Joaan’s contributions have been recognized internationally, including his election as ANOC First Vice President for Asia in 2022 and receiving the Arab Sports Personality of the Year award in 2021. These accolades highlight his growing influence within the global sports community and his dedication to promoting sports development.
As Sheikh Joaan prepares to assume the presidency of the OCA, the focus will shift to strengthening the organization’s role in promoting sports across Asia. The OCA faces ongoing challenges related to international cooperation and ensuring equitable access to sporting opportunities. The coming months will reveal his strategic priorities for the OCA and how he intends to navigate these complexities, with the next major event being the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan in 2026.
