Nagoya, Japan, May 1, 2025: The Director General of the Olympic Council of Asia, Husain Al Musallam, believes the Asian Games can continue to serve as a vehicle for peace and unity throughout the continent.
Addressing the third OCA Coordination Committee meeting for the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 at the Nagoya Tokyu Hotel on Thursday, Captain Husain said the Asian Games always brought the youth of Asia together, despite troubles in the region.
“In Asia we are proud of the sports movement and of the Olympic movement. Why are we proud? Because, since 1913 to 1951 to this day in 2025, the political challenge is huge – but, as sport, as an Olympic family, we are united,” Captain Husain said, referring to the first Far Eastern Championship in Manila 112 years ago and the first Asian Games in New Delhi.
“We are united because we believe that the sport can give Asia power – and we did it. We want to continue in Asia and do it again.”
Captain Husain added: “We started with the challenges in the Middle East, political challenges. Now, again, another challenge in the south of Asia – India and Pakistan.
“For us this is outside of our hands, but what is in our hands is to bring our youth, our athletes together and make them friends here in Nagoya and in Japan, despite all this trouble.”
The one-year countdown ceremony this September gives the organising committee the opportunity to showcase the rich history and culture of Nagoya and Aichi prefecture, Captain Husain said, and set the tone for a successful festival of sport when the 20th Asian Games are held from September 19 to October 4, 2026.
The Coordination Committee meeting was opened by the President of AINAGOC, Aichi Prefecture Governor Hideaki Ohmura, who pointed out that the 500 days to go celebration would be held on May 7. The new Mayor of Nagoya, Ichiro Hirosawa, said the main stadium for the Asian Games, Mizuho Athletics Park, would be completed next March – six months before the Games.
The Chair of the OCA Coordination Committee, International Hockey Federation President Tayyab Ikram, said the preparations were moving in the right direction and that this meeting would be a significant milestone in the journey towards Aichi-Nagoya 2026.