RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Olympic Committee (NOC Indonesia) has welcomed the outcome of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) General Assembly, which unanimously elected Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani of Qatar as OCA President for the 2026–2028 term.

KOI President Raja Sapta Oktohari described Sheikh Joaan’s election as the beginning of a new chapter for the OCA and for Asian sports as a whole.

“Alhamdulillah, the OCA General Assembly has concluded and unanimously chosen Sheikh Joaan as the new President," Raja Sapta, or Okto as he is popularly nicknamed, said in an official statement on Friday, as quoted by Antara.

"Congratulations to Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. This marks a new era for the Olympic Council of Asia,” Okto added.

Okto emphasized that Indonesia had initiated the push for new leadership, a proposal formally presented during the OCA forum in May 2025.

He noted that the move was consistent with Article 16, Point 16.5 of the OCA Constitution, which stipulates that if the presidency becomes vacant or the President is unable to fulfill official duties, the First Vice President assumes authority until a new President is elected at the next General Assembly.

“We officially submitted this proposal at the previous OCA meeting because we believe leadership certainty is vital for the organization’s stability and growth. This transition reflects our commitment to strengthening governance and unity across Asia,” Okto stressed.

He praised Sheikh Joaan as a charismatic young leader with extensive experience in international sports. Qatar’s national commitment to sports, he added, is expected to bring positive momentum for Asia’s presence on the global stage.

Okto expressed hope that Sheikh Joaan’s leadership would unify Asia’s sporting power and enhance the continent’s influence in international competition.

He also highlighted the close ties between NOC Indonesia and Qatar’s NOC as a strong foundation for deeper cooperation and shared vision at the Asian level. ***