The General Assembly brought together more than 350 sports leaders and institutional representatives from the host country, in a context shaped by the leadership transition at the OCA and the review of Asia’s multi-sport calendar. With this appointment, Sheikh Joaan becomes a central reference point at a pivotal moment for the development and governance of sport across the continent.

Asia’s diversity as its greatest strength

In his address to the Assembly, the new President presented his vision under the slogan “Together for Asia”, delivering a message focused on unity and cooperation among National Olympic Committees. “Asia is the largest and most diverse continent within the Olympic family. This diversity is our greatest strength, but it also requires us to work in unity, guided by mutual respect and our shared commitment to Olympic values,” he said.

Sheikh Joaan outlined a roadmap aimed at strengthening solidarity and development across Asia, supporting sporting excellence, promoting good governance and advancing OCA events and programmes that are sustainable, inclusive and credible. He also stressed the importance of embracing innovation responsibly and of strengthening Asia’s international representation within the Olympic movement.

The new President emphasised the role of sport as a tool for cohesion and understanding, highlighting its ability to act as a “universal language of peace, mutual respect and cultural understanding”. In this context, he reaffirmed his commitment to placing athletes and future generations at the centre of Asian Olympic action, providing platforms that allow them to develop and compete at the highest international level. Sheikh Joaan also paid tribute to his predecessor, thanking Randhir Singh for “his leadership, vision and tireless efforts” during a period marked by significant challenges for continental sport.

Doha’s growth under his leadership

Alongside his new role, Sheikh Joaan serves as President of the Qatar Olympic Committee and as Senior Vice President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), positions through which he has built extensive experience in Olympic governance and multi-sport management. His profile has been endorsed by broad consensus among Asian committees, which have highlighted his leadership capacity and deep understanding of the international sports ecosystem.

Under his presidency in Qatar, Doha has consolidated its position as one of the world’s leading hosts of major sporting events, staging world championships and top-level multi-sport competitions. This trajectory has strengthened the country’s standing on the global Olympic and sporting stage.

Agenda and upcoming challenges for the OCA

The OCA General Assembly also reviewed key milestones in the continental calendar, with particular focus on the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya and the Asian Beach Games scheduled in Sanya, alongside other multi-sport events in preparation. These projects form part of an agenda that will require coordination, institutional stability and a shared vision among the continent’s National Olympic Committees.

With the election of Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani, the Olympic Council of Asia enters a new phase aimed at strengthening continental cooperation and consolidating Asia’s role as one of the pillars of the international Olympic movement.

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The Commission is chaired by Mihai Covaliu, a member of the EOC Executive Committee and President of the Romanian Olympic Committee, and is tasked with overseeing progress and providing ongoing support to the Organising Committee across key technical and organisational areas.

Budget, venues and sports programme under review

The programme begins on Wednesday with the first in-person working meeting, during which the Organising Committee will present updates on the budget, the masterplan and the sports programme planned for the 2027 edition, all central elements at this early stage of the planning cycle.

On Thursday, members of the Coordination Commission will visit proposed competition venues across Istanbul, with the aim of assessing facilities on site and their compliance with the technical and sporting requirements established for the European Games.

Covaliu underlines the strategic importance of the visit

Mihai Covaliu highlighted the significance of this first visit to the host city, with the Games scheduled for June 2027. “It will be a great pleasure for the Coordination Commission to hold our first full visit to Istanbul, a historic city with a strong passion for sport,” he said.

He added that, beyond reviewing organisational progress, the visit will help strengthen institutional cooperation and pointed to the role of the event within the Olympic calendar: “We are looking forward to visiting the venues that will host Europe’s best athletes and seeing many of them qualify for the Los Angeles Olympic Games.”

The EOC strengthens cooperation with Turkish organisers

For his part, Spyros Capralos, President of the European Olympic Committees -EOC-, said the first visit further builds momentum around Istanbul 2027 and underlined the continuity of the project within the European Olympic Movement. “The Coordination Commission will play a vital role by working closely with our partners in Türkiye to deliver a memorable event,” he stated.

The full composition of the Istanbul 2027 Coordination Commission was confirmed in November 2025 and includes representatives from the EOC Executive Committee, national Olympic committees, European federations, the EOC Athletes’ Commission, and experts from various areas of multi-sport event organisation.

The institutional framework of the project is completed by the Host Country Agreement signed between the European Olympic Committees -EOC- and the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Türkiye, underlining the commitment of all stakeholders to the organisation of the fourth edition of the European Games.

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Among the year’s key milestones was the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Peruvian Olympic Committee, alongside the strengthening of collaboration with Cricket West Indies and the International Cricket Council -ICC-. These partnerships led to tangible progress in the development of cricket across the Americas, including steps toward its inclusion in the Bolivarian Games 2025, where the men’s team from Barbados won gold and the women’s team from Trinidad and Tobago secured silver.

Partnerships delivering sporting impact and regional cooperation

Throughout the year, CANOC maintained and expanded institutional relationships with organisations such as the Centre for Sport and Human Rights and Deloitte, while progressing the enhancement of its communications strategy. In parallel, the organisation initiated strategic work toward the establishment of a Caribbean–Africa Sport Alliance, signalling a long-term commitment to South–South cooperation and shared sport development objectives.

Progress was also recorded in the area of infrastructure and high performance through the Hope Estate Project in Grenada, developed in partnership with the University of the West Indies and the Government of Grenada. The initiative is being positioned as an integrated campus and subregional high-performance centre, designed to support athletes and development programmes across the Caribbean.

Photo by Dennis Allen for @TTGameplan

Governance and education as pillars of institutional growth

The institutional dimension of the year was further reinforced by the convening of the 23rd Workshop and General Assembly of CANOC in Guyana, marking the first time the country had hosted the forum. The meetings brought together regional sport leaders and stakeholders for a series of high-level discussions aimed at strengthening coordination, aligning organisational priorities and reinforcing CANOC’s role as a unifying platform for Caribbean sport.

In parallel, CANOC and the University of the West Indies launched the CANOC–UWI Advanced Governance and Leadership Training Course, a programme designed to strengthen leadership capacity and governance standards across the region. The inaugural edition attracted more than 30 sport leaders and practitioners, representing a structured commitment to informed, ethical and effective sport governance.

2026: consolidation, regional agenda and long-term vision

Looking ahead to 2026, CANOC will focus on the delivery and consolidation of the initiatives already underway. The year will begin with an executive workshop in Curaçao and the continuation of the CANOC–UWI training programme in January. The organisation will also mark its 23rd anniversary during the Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo, the city where CANOC was formally established, while rolling out an enhanced communications plan and advancing its sustainability agenda.

Work will continue on the Caribbean–Africa Sport Alliance, alongside ongoing dialogue with the International Cricket Council and Cricket West Indies toward the potential establishment of a Pan American Cricket Confederation. The year will conclude with the CANOC Workshop and General Assembly in Curaçao in October, as the organisation maintains its focus on institutional excellence, good governance and the strengthening of the Caribbean’s collective voice within the international sporting landscape.

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The session outlined the overall structure of the course, participation requirements and the administrative processes of the UWI, with the aim of facilitating the enrolment of registered participants as students of the institution over the next four months. Of the more than 40 participants enrolled, 32 attended this initial session, conceived as the academic and institutional entry point of the programme.

Addressing a priority area

The course is aimed at leaders, executives and administrators from sports organisations linked to the national Olympic committees that are members of CANOC, with a focus on strengthening governance, leadership and strategic planning within sports structures across the Caribbean and the Americas.

The initiative responds to a need identified by CANOC members themselves in the 2024 Needs Assessment Survey, in which governance and leadership were highlighted as priority areas. These themes are also embedded within the organisation’s Strategic Plan, which recognises continuous education as a key tool for institutional development.

The role of CANOC, UWI and the Peruvian Olympic Committee

CANOC acts as the driving force behind the programme, aligning it with its strategic objectives and the priorities identified by its members. The UWI, through its specialised academic structures in sport, is responsible for the development of the course content and its certification, while the COP participates as an institutional partner within the framework of cooperation established between the organisations.

During the session, the president of the COP, Renzo Manyari, stated that the training initiative represents “the fulfilment of an important component of the Memorandum of Understanding with CANOC” and encouraged participants to fully engage with the programme “not only for their own development, but for the strengthening of the sporting movement in the region”. Meanwhile, CANOC president Keith Joseph thanked participants for their interest and highlighted the alignment of the course with the organisation’s strategic priorities.

The cooperation framework and the origin of the initiative

The programme forms part of a broader framework of institutional cooperation, supported by the cooperation agreements signed between CANOC and the UWI, focused on educational development, and by the Memorandum of Understanding signed between CANOC and the COP in 2024, which strengthens coordination on strategic projects related to sport and education.

The training programme will be delivered through eight sessions lasting three hours each, with two sessions per month, and full attendance will be a mandatory requirement to qualify for graduation. A team of lecturers from the UWI will support participants throughout the entire learning process, in line with the schedule established for the 2025/2026 period.

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The Hellenic Olympic Committee has announced the establishment of a strategic partnership with Capital Maritime & Trading Corp. and its president and founder, Evangelos Marinakis, who will assume the role of Gold Sponsor of the organization. The agreement not only strengthens the link between the private sector and the Greek Olympic movement, but also opens the door to a comprehensive renovation of the stadium, conceived as an act of historical responsibility and genuine support for sport, with no reciprocal interests.

A historic monument returning to its sporting essence

Rebuilt in the 19th century thanks to national benefactor Georgios Averof, the Panathenaic Stadium was the stage on which modern Olympism took shape, reviving values that had originated in ancient Greece. Today, that same space is once again projecting itself toward its original purpose: hosting top-level athletic competitions and serving as a meeting point between history and contemporary sport.

The renovation will be financed and carried out by Capital Maritime & Trading Corp., with the aim of adapting the venue’s infrastructure to current international standards. This will enable the stadium to host high-level events, including athletics competitions comparable to those of the Diamond League, restoring an active role within the international sporting calendar and reaffirming its relevance beyond its heritage value.

Innovation, sustainability and a new urban experience

The project includes the installation of a new track surface that meets all internationally required technical specifications, along with the complete modernization of the lighting system. The new LED luminaires will not only optimize conditions for competition and broadcast, but will also significantly reduce the venue’s environmental impact.

The lighting will also have a symbolic and cultural dimension. It is designed to enhance the stadium’s architecture and create a nighttime route that evokes the rebirth of the modern Olympic Games, offering a different experience for local and international visitors. This is complemented by the illumination of the façade of the Hellenic Olympic Committee headquarters on Kifissias Avenue, designed by renowned Greek lighting designer Eleftheria Deko, whose work on the Acropolis has set an international benchmark. Her proposal incorporates innovative concepts that integrate light, identity and contemporary aesthetics into the urban landscape of Athens.

The initiative is part of a broader vision of sustained support for Greek sport. In parallel, recent backing was also announced for world champion freestyle wrestler Giorgos Kougioumtsidis, once again through the support of Evangelos Marinakis and ALTER EGO Media, reinforcing a line of action that connects infrastructure, athletes and Olympic values within a single commitment.

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The General Assembly will take place in 2026 and will gather the Olympic Family over three days in a programme focused on strategic debate, institutional cooperation and the global development of sport. The meeting will also have an elective character, with the election of ANOC’s leadership for the 2027–2030 term.

An elective General Assembly with strategic reach

ANOC President Robin Mitchell underlined that Hong Kong “will provide an outstanding platform for the NOC family to unite and chart the path forward”, stressing that the elective nature of the Assembly will “ensure that ANOC continues to serve the needs of National Olympic Committees worldwide”. Mitchell also emphasised that the General Assembly remains “our most important gathering”, as it brings together NOCs, the IOC, International Federations and partners of the Olympic Movement in a single forum.

The programme of the Hong Kong General Assembly will consist of two days of ANOC plenary sessions, followed by a third day dedicated to the Special Theme Sessions, focused on the key challenges and opportunities facing National Olympic Committees and the wider international sports system. The first day will conclude with the ANOC Awards, recognising the most outstanding athletes and NOCs from the Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games.

The Cascais precedent and its economic impact

The XXVII General Assembly held in Cascais became one of ANOC’s most significant recent benchmarks. According to figures released by the organisation, the event generated a direct economic impact of £2.47 million for the host city and its surrounding region. This model is now set to be projected onto Hong Kong as the next venue for ANOC’s flagship annual forum.

The Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee and Vice President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, Kenneth K. K. Fok, highlighted the strategic value of the host city, stating that “Hong Kong, recognised as Asia’s mega-event capital and a dynamic bridge between East and West, will host the XXVIII ANOC General Assembly as an unparalleled international platform”.

Fok also stressed the institutional support of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and noted that the objective is “to collaboratively forge a global blueprint for the future of sport, generating profound economic, social and sporting impact on an international scale”.

Institutional coordination and progressive preparations

ANOC Secretary General Gunilla Lindberg welcomed the progress of preparations and the close cooperation with the Local Organising Committee and the Hong Kong authorities, noting that “the cooperation is excellent and we are working as one team with all stakeholders involved”.

Lindberg added that this level of coordination strengthens the organisation’s confidence that the next General Assembly will be a high-level meeting, capable of reflecting “the solidarity among National Olympic Committees and the collective ability to address the challenges facing the Olympic Movement in the coming years”.

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As the visit progressed, participants had the opportunity to delve into the operational and strategic work that ANOC carries out to support its members. The delegation, composed of representatives from Ghana, Jamaica, Maldives, Korea, Malta, Türkiye, and Palau, was accompanied by Joelle Simond and Nodar Margvelashvili from the IOC–NOC Relations Department. The presence of these key actors enriched the exchange and deepened discussions on topics that directly impact the functioning of national committees.

A meeting to share perspectives and learning

During the session, delegates discussed the initiatives that ANOC promotes to support the growth and modernization of NOCs across different regions. This space for dialogue allowed each representative to share their local reality, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities they face in their sporting communities. The dynamics of the encounter fostered a broader collective understanding of the Olympic ecosystem and the needs that arise in diverse cultural and structural contexts.

The conversation also served to reaffirm the value of international cooperation within the Olympic Movement. Each intervention reflected the interest in building bridges, improving processes, and strengthening sports governance. In that sense, the immersion program became a space to cultivate working relationships that transcend borders.

Key initiatives to strengthen National Olympic Committees

One of the central topics was the presentation of projects and services that ANOC develops for the benefit of its affiliated NOCs. Among them was the Uniform Program for NOCs, an initiative that will soon benefit the Maltese Olympic Committee, providing resources that simplify logistical management and strengthen the identity of each delegation at international events. This program was regarded as a concrete tool to enhance the efficiency and professionalization of the committees.

In addition, the recent operational support provided by ANOC at the Islamic Solidarity Games held in Riyadh was reviewed, an event in which the Turkish Olympic Committee was one of the main users of the services offered. This experience showcased how the organization accompanies its members in high-demand situations, ensuring smooth processes and solutions tailored to each national reality.

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In this regard, recent initiatives reflect a renewed commitment to better understand the threats, share experiences, and create cooperation opportunities that allow this issue to be addressed from a broader perspective. From regional workshops to national forums, the conversation on sports integrity is reaching new spaces and actors, consolidating a network aimed at anticipating risks and strengthening capacities.

Regional cooperation and shared learning

On 12 November, a joint workshop was held in Abu Dhabi under the IOC’s Integrity in Sport Initiative and INTERPOL, bringing together nearly 50 representatives from NOCs, law enforcement bodies, and state authorities from six countries in the Persian Gulf and South Asia: United Arab Emirates, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. The meeting enabled participants to deepen their understanding of competition manipulation, analyze recent cases, and discuss how to strengthen their national action frameworks.

In addition to the workshop, participants had the opportunity to attend the Annual Meeting of the INTERPOL Match-Fixing Task Force (IMFTF), a platform that brings together experts from INTERPOL’s global police network specializing in combating sports manipulation. This gathering facilitated a more technical and operational exchange, allowing participants to explore new tools and strategies that could be adapted to each country’s context.

Multisectoral momentum and new national initiatives

In parallel, the Brazilian National Olympic Committee held the 2nd Safe Sport Forum on 12 October, bringing together sports organizations, government authorities, law enforcement agencies, and representatives from the betting sector. The main goal was to raise awareness about competition manipulation and promote broader cooperation to address this growing challenge, integrating perspectives that range from athlete protection to the regulation of the digital environment.

The Olympic Movement Unit on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions (OM Unit PMC) played an active role in the forum, presenting its ongoing support work for NOCs and highlighting the importance of accessing available resources within the Olympic Movement. In the same line, ANOC continues encouraging National Olympic Committees around the world to strengthen their integrity frameworks through collaborative work and the use of shared tools.

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The event took place at the Representation of the State of Baden-Württemberg to the European Union, with the participation of IOC President Kirsty Coventry, EOC President Spyros Capralos and European Commissioner Glenn Micallef, responsible for Youth, Culture and Sport. All 49 European National Olympic Committees were invited to the evening, which centred around the theme “Sport is More Than a Game”.

Strategic cooperation between the EU and the NOCs

Earlier in the day, the Presidents of the National Olympic Committees of EU Member States, together with members of the EOC Executive Committee, held a meeting with Commissioner Micallef at the headquarters of the European Commission. The discussion formed part of the consultation process on “A Strategic Vision for Sport in Europe: Reinforcing the European Sport Model”, with a focus on strengthening governance and institutional coordination.

During the session, Commissioner Micallef emphasised the need to advance towards a solid standard of cooperation between the European Union and the Olympic Movement. Topics addressed included the responsible autonomy of sports organisations, system integrity and alignment with the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union in an environment that demands regulatory clarity.

Coventry highlights the social role of sport

Opening the evening programme, Kirsty Coventry underlined the value of sport as a tool for social impact, noting its capacity to improve education, promote inclusion and strengthen communities. Spyros Capralos highlighted the core principles of the European Sport Model, built on solidarity, sporting merit and the autonomy of sports structures, and stressed the shared responsibility to safeguard these foundations.

The evening also included a panel titled “More Than a Game”, moderated by former Olympic alpine skier Ana Jelusic Black. The speakers — Kersti Kaljulaid (Estonia), Amélie Oudéa-Castéra (France), Jean-Michel Saive (Belgium) and Commissioner Micallef — analysed the role of sport in areas such as public health, education, sports diplomacy and social cohesion.

Governance programmes and priorities for the coming years

The European National Olympic Committees and the European Olympic Committees highlighted progress in governance through projects such as SIGGS 3.0, SAFE HARBOUR and OCEAN, coordinated by the EOC EU Office and co-funded by the European Union. They also emphasised the work carried out with Athletes’ Commissions and the development of structured social dialogue within the European sport ecosystem.

Participants noted the importance of securing adequate funding for sport in the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework 2028–2034, alongside strengthening the Erasmus+ Sport programme and deepening the integration of sport into other EU funding schemes. The evening included a tribute to Folker Hellmund, who concluded more than 16 years as Director of the EOC EU Office, and closed with networking activities and joint engagement in the Sports Village supported by Decathlon.

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Held on 12 and 13 November, the event brought together representatives from International Federations (IFs), National Olympic Committees (NOCs), Worldwide Olympic Partners, and Organising Committees for the Olympic Games (OCOGs). Its goal was to establish a common framework for the responsible use of AI in sport. As Sarah Walker, Chair of the IOC’s AI Working Group, noted, technological progress should serve sport “without replacing its human essence”, highlighting that the true challenge is not technical but ethical and institutional.

From IOC innovation to federations’ implementation

The introduction of AI within the Olympic Movement has begun at the IOC’s structural level, but its development will depend on each sports federation’s ability to adapt the technology to the needs and realities of their own discipline. The IOC has defined a global agenda, yet it is the federations that must regulate its use, set ethical boundaries, and ensure equal access for athletes and nations.

At the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, AI-powered tools were used to protect athletes from cyber abuse, enhance the accuracy of judging, and provide real-time performance analysis. The next step is to bring these applications into the daily operations of federations and national competitions.

World Athletics, FIFA and FIBA lead early initiatives

Some federations have already started implementing their own projects. World Athletics uses AI-driven algorithms in its photo-finish systems and motion analysis, improving measurement precision. FIFA, meanwhile, introduced its semi-automated offside technology at Qatar 2022, based on body-tracking sensors and AI — a system now extended to youth and women’s tournaments.

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) is testing early fatigue detection and injury prevention models, while sports such as swimming, cycling, and gymnastics use predictive systems to optimise training loads and recovery times.

Ethical and operational challenges ahead

AI also raises new concerns around privacy, transparency, and competitive fairness. Federations must set clear standards for the use of biometric data, the scope of automated analysis, and the balance between human and machine decision-making. The IOC continues to promote training programmes to help organisations implement AI in an ethical and responsible way, reminding that technology should remain a tool for support, not a replacement for human judgment.

The Lausanne Forum also strengthened cooperation between Olympic institutions and global technology partners such as Deloitte, Alibaba Cloud, Samsung, Allianz, and Omega, which shared their experiences developing AI-based systems for analytics, operations, and sustainability.

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