Sanya, China, April 17, 2026: Gulf Cooperation Council countries have thanked the Olympic Council of Asia for chartering a special flight from Doha, Qatar to Sanya, China for the 6th Asian Beach Games.
They believe that the gesture highlights the unity and solidarity within the OCA and proves that the power of sport can overcome times of trouble such as the situation in the Middle East.
Speaking from Doha, Captain Ali Al-Marri, Deputy Secretary General of the Kuwait Olympic Committee, said: “To raise the Kuwait flag, to represent our country and represent OCA, this is the legacy of ‘no matter what, we still enter the Games’.
“With emotions really running up, staying away from home, it will make us even more proud to raise the flag.”
Captain Ali said he would like to thank the President of the OCA, HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, for this wonderful gesture in bringing all the GCC countries together on the flight from Doha to Sanya.
“At the end I would like to thank Sheikh Joaan Al Thani, the President of OCA, President of Qatar National Olympics, for all their efforts in obtaining, not only for Kuwait NOC but for all the GCC, to have this private charter to proceed to Sanya. This is indicating how we are all gathered during these difficult times.
“We are very happy to be part of the Asian Beach Games which will be held in Sanya soon. Being here in Doha is very proud - part of our legacy is to share during all these really difficult circumstances.”
Ahmed Abdul Ghaffar, Executive Director of Operations at the Bahrain Olympic Committee, said the BOC was “very thankful” to the OCA for being able to attend Sanya under the circumstances.
“The Bahrain Olympic Committee is especially grateful to the OCA and all our partners here to be able to participate in the Sanya Asian Beach Games,” he said.
The special flight unified the GCC countries on one aircraft and made them happy to be with “our brothers” from the GCC, he said.
The arrangement held a wider significance, though, according to the BOC executive.
“As everyone probably says is that sports is always a unifying factor across all boundaries and all walks of life, so the message that Asia is sending out is that Asia is unified and Asia is there to continue in these special sporting events,” he added.
“Despite any situation that arises in any region, sports is always a unifying factor. It is all about the athletes coming together and competing in a healthy and sporting environment. We are thankful to the OCA to enable this special event.”
The 6th Asian Beach Games will run from April 22-30 with 14 sports, 15 disciplines and 62 events, with 1,790 athletes competing from 45 National Olympic Committees in Asia.
