Tashkent, Uzbekistan, January 26, 2026: The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, HE Shavkat Mirziyoyev, showered praise on new OCA President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani and bestowed a state award on the Qatari at the 46th OCA General Assembly.
In his address to delegates after arriving at the tail-end of the assembly, President Mirziyoyev commended Sheikh Joaan for being a friend of Uzbekistan sport.
“Allow me to congratulate Sheikh Joaan who has been unanimously elected as President of the OCA. The OCA has made the most appropriate decision by picking the most ideal candidate for this position,” President Mirziyoyev noted.
The Uzbek President, who is also the President of the Uzbekistan National Olympic Committee, then bestowed the Shon-Sharaf (Order of Glory) Award on Sheikh Joaan for his contribution to the development of the Olympic Movement and the promotion of significant sports initiatives.
President Mirziyoyev also applauded the OCA for doing a “good job” in uniting people all over the world’s most populous continent, with a special word of praise for OCA Director General Husain Al Musallam.
“I also want to express my special gratitude to the leadership of OCA, especially Director General Husain Al Musallam who first came to this country in 1993 and has been a longstanding and reliable friend of Uzbekistan sport,” President Mirziyoyev said.
