DUBAI: Doha clinched the hosting rights for the 2030 Asian Games at the general assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia yesterday in Muscat, the regional governing body announced.
OCA president Shaikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah announced the winner at the conclusion of the vote, which was live streamed, adding that Riyadh would host the 2034 edition of the Games.
“I can now announce... that the city who had the highest vote and will host 2030 is Doha,” Shaikh Ahmad said. “The second hosting city, for 2034, is Riyadh.”
Before the vote took place, Shaikh Ahmad said he had met with representatives of the two candidate cities the previous evening, and they had agreed to a proposal that the city with the highest number of votes would host the 2030 Asian Games and the city with the second most votes would host 2034.
Shaikh Ahmad said he had made the move in the spirit of “friendship, solidarity and unity” and to produce a “win-win” situation.
Before starting the vote under these circumstances, Shaikh Ahmad asked for the support of the 45 NOC delegations – and they approved unanimously, with nobody against the proposal.
“I believe you are making history, and I will be proud to have two Asian Games in West Asia,” Shaikh Ahmad said. “Thank you Asia for your solidarity and coordination.”
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