Muscat, Oman, December 17, 2020: An overwhelming amount of social media messages from higher ranks in Qatar and Saudi Arabia greeted the news that West Asia will host the Asian Games in 2030 and 2034.
A double celebration for West Asia was in store when the Olympic Council of Asia General Assembly in Muscat, Oman decided on Wednesday, December 16, that Doha, Qatar will host the 21st Asian Games in 2030 and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia host the 22nd Asian Games in 2034.
The Emir of Qatar, HRH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, tweeted: “Doha 2030 will be a qualitative leap and an embodiment of Qatar’s sporting mission as a means to enhance communication and human and cultural understanding.”
“Our congratulations to the colleagues in Riyadh for hosting the Games in 2034,” HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, tweeted.
Sheikh Joaan later sent a congratulatory tweet to Saudi Arabia for welcoming the Asian Games for the first time to the country. Doha had previously hosted the Asian Games in 2006.
The President of the Olympic Council of Asia, His Excellency Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, has complimented the government of Oman for the high levels of safety measures and health protocols in place for the OCA visit to Muscat this week.
“I would like to start by thanking the Sultan of Oman, His Majesty Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, the government of Oman and the President of the Oman Olympic Committee, Sayyid Khalid bin Hamad Al Busaidi, for their full support of the visit of the OCA to this beautiful city and country,” Sheikh Ahmad said. “I believe the conditions and the Covid – 19 Protocol Protection that have been established in Oman for the visit of the OCA can be a model for other countries and sports organizations to adopt as the world recovers from the pandemic.”
The OCA President, went further to praise the ‘solidarity and unity’ of the General Assembly.
“I hope we reached our goals,” said the OCA President, summing up the meeting.
“I am very happy with the solidarity and unity. Congratulations Doha 2030; congratulations Riyadh 2034. Unity, solidarity and a solution is always available in Asia.”
Despite the travel restrictions and health protocols in place due to the coronavirus pandemic, Sheikh Ahmad said the OCA General Assembly still managed to attract a “full house” of partners and stakeholders.
