Tashkent, January 26 (QNA) - Prominent Qatari journalists and writers have hailed the election of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), as president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), describing it as a pivotal moment and the start of a "golden era" for Asian sport.
Speaking to the Qatar News Agency (QNA), commentators noted that HE Sheikh Joaan's decade-long leadership of the Qatar Olympic Committee has been marked by unprecedented achievements, equipping him to guide Asian sport toward a stronger global presence. They said his tenure at the OCA is expected to carry a clear Qatari imprint, with the overarching goal of positioning Asian sport at the forefront of the international stage.
Observers highlighted that HE Sheikh Joaan's leadership agenda will focus on key initiatives, including sustainable development and comprehensive digital transformation within the OCA, while leveraging Qatar's global standing to support the growth of sport across the continent. They also pointed to his ambitious plans to enhance athlete performance, nurture talent, elevate competition standards and broaden fan engagement.
Abdullah Talib Al Marri, editor-in-chief of the Qatari newspaper Al Raya, said the achievements under HE Sheikh Joaan's leadership of the Qatar Olympic Committee demonstrate his ability to succeed at the continental level. He added that HE Sheikh Joaan's vision and dedication have raised Qatar's profile in international Olympic forums, providing valuable experience that will benefit the OCA.
Al Marri emphasized that Qatar's unprecedented Olympic achievements were the result of a strategic vision implemented successfully over the past decade, and that HE Sheikh Joaan's leadership has transformed ambitions into tangible results, citing Olympic gold medals as evidence of this success.
Similarly, Faleh Al Hajri, editor-in-chief of Al Arab newspaper, said HE Sheikh Joaan's election marks a qualitative leap for Asian sport, which he believes will drive further progress and prosperity across the continent. Al Hajri praised HE Sheikh Joaan's leadership capabilities and extensive experience, noting that Qatar's success in developing smart sports infrastructure and applying digital and sustainable practices will form the foundation of his strategy at the OCA.
He added that adopting these concepts will enhance operational efficiency, governance and transparency within the council, and predicted that HE Sheikh Joaan will extend Qatar's modern, technology-driven approach to sports management to benefit Asian sport as a whole.

For his part, Mohammed Hajji, editor-in-chief of Al Watan newspaper and vice president of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS), highlighted the political and sporting influence that the State of Qatar now enjoys globally, considering it a major asset in supporting the candidacy of HE Sheikh Joaan for the presidency of the OCA.
In statements to QNA, Al Hajji said that HE Sheikh Joaan's leadership of the OCA would allow maximum benefit from Qatar's strong international relations built over recent years, noting that these distinguished ties would be leveraged in favor of Asian sport to ensure the continent secures its rightful position on the global Olympic stage.
He added that Qatar's status as a global sports hub would positively impact the OCA, particularly given the country's extensive experience in hosting major sporting events, including the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Such organizational expertise and international credibility, he said, would enable HE Sheikh Joaan to elevate the level of Asian sporting events.
For his part, Fahad Al Emadi, an Al Watan editor, affirmed that a key pillar of HE Sheikh Joaan's success as President of QOC has been his focus on investing in human capital, an approach he expects to be implemented across Asia to enhance athlete development during his tenure at the OCA.
Al Emadi noted that Qatar's success across various sectors, particularly sports, stems from long-term investment in human resources through specialized academies, a strategy adopted under HE Sheikh Joaan's leadership and applied through diverse models.
He praised Qatar's advanced and integrated training programs for talent identification and development, which have resulted in historic Olympic medals, expressing confidence that these successful models would be expanded across OCA member states to support athletes' ambitions and foster a new generation capable of competing at the highest international levels.
Meanwhile, Abdulaziz Al Maarefi, editor-in-chief of Al Sharq newspaper said that HE Sheikh Joaan's achievements during his years as QOC's President demonstrate his capacity and vision to restructure and diversify Asian competitions, making them more attractive and competitive while raising the overall profile of Asian sport globally.
Al Maarefi indicated that HE Sheikh Joaan's leadership of the OCA would usher in a qualitative transformation in the structure and content of Asian competitions, including comprehensive reforms to the Asian Games and other continental championships, enhancing their organization as well as their commercial and media appeal to attract sponsors and audiences.
He added that HE Sheikh Joaan's presidency would mark a shift toward more professional and transparent sports governance in Asia, leading to increased Asian medal counts at future Olympic Games through comprehensive support programs. This, he said, would position the OCA as an influential partner in global sports decision-making rather than a passive participant.
Al Maarefi stressed that developing Asian sporting competitions represents one of the most significant upcoming challenges facing HE President of QOC during his tenure as OCA President. (QNA)