Doha, April 12 (QNA) - The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) has announced that it will participate with a delegation of 34 male and female athletes in the Asian Beach Games, set to be held in Sanya, China, from April 22 to 30, 2026, with the participation of 1,790 athletes, competing across 14 sports.

Deputy Head of the Qatari Administrative Delegation, Abdulla Al Abdulla confirmed during a press conference held at the QOC headquarters on Sunday that Qatar will compete in 7 sports: beach volleyball (men and women), basketball (men and women), beach handball, sailing, aquathlon, jiu-jitsu, and wrestling.

Al Abdulla noted that Qatar's participation in the Asian Beach Games comes as part of the QOC's commitment to maintaining an active presence in various continental sporting events and to strengthening the country's sporting presence on the Asian stage.

He added that Qatari teams have completed their preparations for the Games through comprehensive training programs overseen by the respective sports federations in coordination with the QOC, emphasizing that the delegation aims to deliver strong performances and compete for medals in a number of sports, particularly beach handball and beach volleyball, in addition to individual disciplines.

The Deputy Head of Administrative Delegation further highlighted that the Games are expected to feature a high technical level, given the participation of elite athletes from across Asia, which presents significant challenges requiring Qatari athletes to demonstrate peak readiness. He explained that the primary objective of participation extends beyond results, focusing on maximizing technical benefits by providing athletes with opportunities to compete against diverse sporting schools and gain valuable competitive experience in a multi-sport environment. He added that this participation represents an important step in the development pathway of Qatari athletes, contributing to enhancing their performance levels and readiness for upcoming continental and international events.

Al Abdulla also reviewed Qatar's history in the Asian Beach Games, which began with the inaugural edition in Bali 2008, followed by Muscat 2010, and Haiyang 2012, where Qatar secured its first gold medal through the handball team. Qatar later achieved 12 medals in Phuket 2014 (2 gold, 2 silver, and 8 bronze), and 7 medals in Da Nang 2016 (5 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze), reflecting the country's consistent presence in the Games.

For his part, Head of the Team Qatar Media Delegation, Mohammed Al Zaidan announced the launch of the promotional campaign accompanying Team Qatar's participation in the Asian Beach Games - Sanya 2026. He explained that the campaign comes as part of efforts to support the athletes of the Qatari delegation and enhance their media presence throughout the competition period. He added that the campaign aims to motivate both fans and athletes, while also highlighting the achievements of Qatari athletes.

Al Zaidan further noted that the campaign will focus on showcasing Qatar's key tourist attractions and the beauty of its beaches, under the slogan “From the Shores of Doha to the Shores of Sanya,” reflecting the connection between sport and tourism and contributing to the promotion of Qatar's coastal destinations. These include Katara Beach, Old Doha Port, Lusail Marina, the Doha Corniche, The Pearl Island, and 974 Beach.

He also emphasized that the campaign will deliver diverse digital content that captures the atmosphere of the competitions and enhances audience engagement, as part of an integrated media vision aimed at projecting a positive image of Qatari sport at both the continental and international levels across the Committee's platforms and various media outlets in the country.

The Asian Beach Games - Sanya 2026 will feature 1,790 athletes competing in 14 sports: 3x3 basketball, aquatics (open water swimming and water polo), aquathlon, athletics, handball, kabaddi, football, volleyball, wrestling, rowing, jiu-jitsu, sailing, sport climbing, and teqball.   (QNA)