The UAE Olympic Committee convened a joint coordination meeting at its Dubai headquarters on Tuesday to finalize preparations for the nation’s participation in the 20th Asian Games. The continental event is scheduled to take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, 2026. During the session, officials reviewed the administrative, technical, and organizational requirements necessary to ensure the UAE delegation is fully prepared for the upcoming competition.
Ahmed Al Tayeb, Director of the Technical and Sports Affairs Department, provided an overview of the Games, which are set to host over 11,000 athletes alongside 6,000 coaches and officials from 45 countries. The 16-day event will feature 43 sports and 71 disciplines, with 1,407 medals distributed across 469 distinct events. Representatives were briefed on logistics, including arrival and departure schedules, as well as the opening ceremony, which is slated for Mizuho Park Stadium in Nagoya.
The committee also outlined protocols for the welcome ceremony for participating delegations, adhering to established continental and Olympic traditions. Discussions covered essential support services, including medical care, accommodation within the Athletes’ Village, and comprehensive transportation plans for training and competition venues. Furthermore, the meeting addressed data management, registration mechanisms, and provided a detailed mapping of the stadiums designated for the various sporting events.
Specific competition programs were also highlighted, including the draw for the UAE national football team, which will compete in Group B against China, North Korea, and Iran. Additionally, the rugby sevens squad is set to face competition from Sri Lanka, Singapore, and the Philippines. These planning efforts aim to streamline the UAE’s presence and performance throughout the duration of the Games.
