Olympic Council of Asia Director General calls for "a united Asia"

Olympic Council of Asia Director General Husain Al Musallam has called for "unity and positivity" as he attended the first Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games Chiefs of Delegation Conference in Nagoya.

In his opening speech at the plenary session at the Nagoya Hilton Hotel, Director General Al Musallam called on heads of delegations from 43 National Olympic Committees to remain positive and look forward to a successful Asian Games from September 19 to October 4, 2025.

Director General of the Olympic Council of Asia, Husain Al Musallam

“We are facing many challenges. It is our responsibility to stand side by side with the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organizing Committee (AINAGOC), maintain optimism and move forward,” said Director General Husain Al Musallam.

This is the third time Japan has hosted the Asian Games, after Tokyo in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994. Despite the vast experience, there are still some challenges for the host country, especially in terms of accommodation and transportation for the 15,000 athletes and officials expected to attend.

“We need to show that in Asia, we are united. Yes, as you all know, we have challenges, but we need to stay positive and move forward to be able to host a successful Asian Games,” Director General Husain Al Musallam told the delegation leaders.

The four-day meeting, from September 23 to 26, will include site visits to various competition venues in Nagoya, Izu and Tokyo. Unlike the previous two editions, Japan will host the 2026 Asian Games entirely on existing infrastructure. And some sports, such as swimming, will be held in other cities (Tokyo) so no new facilities are needed.

Likewise, there will be no ‘traditional’ purpose-built Athletes’ Village. Instead, athletes and officials will be accommodated in a ‘floating village’ on a cruise ship and in converted shipping containers at Nagoya Port. This decision was made by the host organizing committee to avoid the significant expense of building a permanent Athletes’ Village.

Director General Husain Al Musallam believes that the Organizing Committee will make the 20th Asian Games a great success.

“I would like to express my deep gratitude to the Organising Committee and all the efforts made so far. Japan has been a great supporter of Asian sport and the Olympic Movement. Cities such as Tokyo, Sapporo and Nagano have successfully hosted the Olympic Games, both summer and winter. Likewise, Japan has successfully hosted the Asian Games. We are confident that Aichi-Nagoya will be a success,” said Director General Husain Al Musallam.

On behalf of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Organising Committee, Secretary General Murate Satoshi sent greetings to all delegates attending the Heads of Delegation Meeting: “The Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Organising Committee will deliver an excellent Asian Games. We will connect Asia through the power of sport.”

Also within the framework of the Conference, North Korea expressed its view that it will attend the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. North Korea is expected to send nearly 300 athletes to participate in 20 sports at the Games in September next year.

Mr. Song Su Il, Attaché of the National Olympic Committee of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, attending the first Heads of Delegation Conference, confirmed that: North Korea will once again be the center of attention at the Games.

“Although I need to hear official opinions from the National Olympic Committee officials in the country, we are currently planning to send a delegation of nearly 300 athletes to participate in more than 20 sports,” Song Su Il said. At the last Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, North Korea won 39 medals, including 11 gold.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/tong-giam-doc-hoi-dong-olympic-chau-a-keu-goi-mot-chau-a-thong-nhat-20250926161414163.htm