Doha, Qatar, September 30, 2019: Supported by a high-energy presentation capturing the thriving sports movement in Doha, the Qatar Olympic Committee announced its bid to host the 2030 Asian Games during the Olympic Council of Asia Executive Board meeting on September 28.
The Secretary General of the QOC, Jassim Rashid Albuenain, described Doha as “the world capital of sports events” and said the Asian Games in 2030 would strengthen the partnership between the QOC and the Olympic sports movement in Asia and the world.
“This is the start of a new, exciting chapter in Qatar’s sports journey,” he told the OCA Executive Board members during the meeting at the City Centre Rotana Hotel.
The presentation highlighted the enthusiasm for sport at all levels, from community programmes to foster a healthy and active population to the world-class sports and support facilities in Doha to the major international events to have been hosted by Doha.
These included the Qatar Olympic Academy, Aspire Academy, the ASPETAR sports science and medicine centre, the commitment to the development of women and sport and the anti-doping lab.
“Regarding major sports events, the Asian Games in Doha in 2006 was a big success with the participation of all 45 National Olympic Committees of the OCA,” added Mr Albuenain.
“Almost 10,000 athletes took part in 424 events in 39 sports. Now we are intending in hosting the 2030 Asian Games.”
The presentation came as Doha hosted the IAAF World Athletics Championships and prepares to welcome the 206-member Association of National Olympic Committees for the inaugural ANOC World Beach Games from October 12-16 followed by the ANOC General Assembly and Awards on October 17-18.
Further ahead is the FIFA World Cup in 2002, when Qatar will present eight futuristic stadiums to welcome the world’s football fans to the Middle East.
The sports development has been accompanied by transport infrastructure projects such as the airport and Metro.
In welcoming the OCA EB members to Doha, the OCA President Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah said: “We have a lot of nice and great memories of Doha. It is always a very suitable city for sports events and we will never forget the Asian Games in 2006 as one of our great games. I am very happy and proud to see a lot of legacy in the city.
“Doha has become one of the main destinations in the world of sport.”
