Nagoya, Japan, September 23, 2025: OCA Director General Husain Al Musallam called for a “united and positive” stance, as the 1st Chefs de Mission Meeting for the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games got underway in Nagoya on Tuesday, September 23.
In his opening address at the plenary session at the Nagoya Hilton Hotel, Director General Al Musallam told the Chefs de Mission from 43 National Olympic Committees to have a positive attitude and look forward to a successful Asian Games from September 19 to October 4 next year.
“There are a lot of challenges facing us, but we are Asia. It is our responsibility to stand by the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organising Committee (AINAGOC), remain positive and move forward,” the OCA Director General noted.
Next year’s showpiece – it is the third time Japan will be hosting the Asian Games following Tokyo in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994 – still faces a few challenges, especially in the areas of accommodation and transportation for the 15,000 athletes and officials expected to turn up.
“We need to show that in Asia, we are united. Yes, we have challenges as all of you know, but we need to remain positive and move forward so we can have a successful Asian Games,” Al Musallam reminded the Chefs de Missions.
The four-day meeting, from September 23-26, will include site visits to different competition venues in Nagoya, Izu and Tokyo.
Unlike the last two occasions when Japan hosted the Asian Games, next year’s event will rely totally on the available infrastructure, and some sports, like swimming, will be held in other cities (Tokyo) so new facilities will not be needed.
Similarly, there will not be a ‘traditional’ purpose-built Athletes’ Village. Instead athletes and officials will be housed in a ‘floating village’ on a cruise ship, and in converted shipping containers in the Port of Nagoya. This decision was taken by AINAGOC to avoid significant expenses of building a permanent athletes’ village.
OCA Director General Al Musallam was confident that the organisers would make the 20th edition of the Asian showpiece a massive success.
“I would like to record our deep thanks for the Organising Committee and for all the hard work they have done. Japan has helped Asian sport and the Olympic Movement immensely. Cities like Tokyo, Sapporo and Nagano have held successful Olympic Games, both summer and winter.
“Likewise the Asian Games has been successfully hosted by Japan. We are confident that Aichi-Nagoya will be a success too,” Al Musallam said.
On behalf of AINAGOC, Secretary General Murate Satoshi welcomed all delegates at the plenary session. “AINAGOC will deliver a great Asian Games,” he promised. “We will make Asia connect through the power of sport.”
