Doha organisers say venues and operational plans are ready if the Olympic Council of Asia moves the 2030 Asian Games to 2031.
Web Desk: Qatar is prepared to host the Asian Games in 2031 if the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and International Olympic Committee (IOC) approve a proposed change to the event calendar, a senior Doha 2030 organising official has said.
The Asian Games are currently scheduled to take place in Doha in 2030, but discussions are underway over potentially moving the event to 2031 so that it could be held closer to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
Doha Organisers Await Decision
Ahmad Abdulla Al-Buenain, chief executive of the Doha 2030 Asian Games organising committee, said Qatar was working closely with the OCA while awaiting clarity on the timing of the Games.
“For us, it’s 2030,” Al-Buenain told AFP in Nagoya, where the 2026 Asian Games are currently being held.
He added that if the event needed to be moved either earlier or later for a specific reason, Qatar’s local organising committee would ensure that its venues and operational plans were ready.
According to Al-Buenain, any change to the schedule would require coordination between the OCA and IOC rather than being a decision taken solely by the host country.
Proposed Calendar Change Linked to Olympics
Reports earlier this year indicated that the OCA had been considering changes to the Asian Games calendar.
One proposal would align the continental event more closely with the Olympic cycle, potentially allowing the Asian Games to serve as a qualifying and preparation platform for the Olympics.
Under that arrangement, the Doha Games could be held in 2031, approximately a year before the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry has supported the idea of aligning major continental competitions more closely with the Olympic cycle, according to Reuters.
However, the final timing has not been confirmed.
Qatar Says Venues Are Ready
Qatar has significant experience hosting major international sporting events.
Doha hosted the Asian Games in 2006 and later staged the 2022 FIFA World Cup, while the country has continued to host major international competitions across several sports.
Al-Buenain said Qatar already has the necessary venues and infrastructure in place and could organise the Games using clusters of existing facilities.
“Qatar is ready,” Al-Buenain said, stressing that preparations would be adjusted according to the final decision on the date.
Aichi-Nagoya Faces Organisational Challenges
The discussion over the future Asian Games calendar comes as the ongoing Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games have experienced logistical difficulties.
Japanese organisers have faced complaints over athlete accommodation and transportation after participation exceeded initial expectations.
More than 17,000 athletes and officials have attended the Games, creating additional pressure on accommodation and transport arrangements. Reuters previously reported that organisers apologised for logistical problems affecting participants.
The Doha organisers have indicated that Qatar’s existing infrastructure could help it manage a large-scale event without having to construct an entirely new network of facilities.
Final Decision Still Pending
For now, Doha remains the designated host of the 2030 Asian Games.
Any move to 2031 would require agreement between the relevant Asian and Olympic sporting authorities. Qatar’s organising committee is therefore continuing preparations while remaining open to adjustments to the schedule.
The final decision is expected to depend on discussions between the OCA and IOC over the Asian Games calendar and its relationship with future Olympic qualification and preparation.
