Nagoya: Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, Vice President of the UAE Olympic Committee, and Chairman of the Executive Office, attended the opening ceremony of the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The Games, hosted by Aichi Prefecture and the city of Nagoya, will run until 4 October, gathering over 11,000 athletes and around 6,000 coaches and officials from 45 countries for more than 16 days of competition.
According to Emirates News Agency, the opening ceremony was graced by the presence of Shihab Ahmed Mohamed Abdulrahim AlFaheem, UAE Ambassador to Japan; Ghanem Mubarak Al Hajeri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Sports; Faris Mohammed Al Mutawa, Secretary-General of the UAE Olympic Committee; and Hanan Al Mahmoud and Amal Bushalakh, members of the UAE Olympic Committee Board of Directors. His Majesty Emperor Naruhito of Japan officially declared the Games open, with notable attendees including Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Olympic Council of Asia, and Kirsty Coventry, President of the International Olympic Committee.
Held at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletics Stadium, the ceremony featured artistic performances that seamlessly combined traditional Japanese culture with modern sport, music, and performing arts. The parade of participating delegations culminated in the lighting of the Games cauldron, marking the official start of the 20th edition. The Games are held under the slogan 'Imagine One Asia', with the opening ceremony presented under the concept 'Harmonic Heart Beat', symbolizing the unity of the continent's peoples and athletes through a shared spirit of sport.
Aichi-Nagoya 2026 is the third occasion Japan has hosted the Asian Games, following the 1958 Games in Tokyo and the 1994 Games in Hiroshima. The current Games feature competitions in 43 sports and 71 disciplines, with 1,407 medals to be awarded across 469 events, establishing it as one of the largest sporting gatherings on the Asian continent. The UAE is participating with a delegation of 165 athletes across 21 sports, with high aspirations for strong performances and positive results to reflect the development of UAE sport.
Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi highlighted that the continental event underscores the role of sport in fostering communication and closer ties between peoples. By providing a platform for athletes from across Asia, the Games promote fair competition and mutual respect, celebrating the cultural and civilizational diversity of the participating countries and strengthening values of understanding and friendship among their peoples.
Dr Al Falasi expressed optimism about the UAE athletes' performances, anticipating that their efforts in preparation stages would translate into results that align with their ambitions and reflect the development of UAE sport. He acknowledged the contributions of the UAE Olympic Committee, sports federations, and technical and administrative teams in preparing the national teams for this event, wishing all participating athletes success in raising the UAE flag at this continental gathering.
As part of the ongoing support for the UAE delegation, Faris Mohammed Al Mutawa and Ghanem Mubarak Al Hajeri visited the Athletes' Village for the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games. They reviewed the Village's facilities, services provided to participating delegations, and the accommodations for the UAE delegation. Their visit underscores the commitment of the UAE Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Sports to create a conducive environment for athletes and national teams, aiding them in focusing on their competitions and delivering their best performances during the Games.
They also attended a training session of the UAE Olympic football team to assess the team's preparations and readiness for the competition. The team is gearing up for its second match against North Korea, following a defeat in the opening match against Iran, as it seeks to achieve a positive result in the upcoming fixture.
On the competition front, Abdullah Abdulrahman made history as the first UAE athlete to compete in the modern pentathlon at the Asian Games, marking a new milestone in his international career. His participation in Aichi-Nagoya 2026 follows his previous appearances at the 2025 Senior Asian Championships and his contribution to the UAE team that won bronze medals in the team Laser Run and Triathle competitions at the 2025 World Championships.
Abdulrahman concluded his participation in the men's individual event with a total of 1,282 points, after competing in fencing, obstacle, swimming, and Laser Run in the semi-final. His participation marks an important milestone for both the athlete and UAE modern pentathlon, signifying the country's debut in the sport at the Asian Games and adding to his experience through exposure to high-level Asian competition.