DUBAI (ALETIHAD)
The UAE Olympic Committee has announced details of the UAE’s participation in the 20th Asian Games, to be held in Aichi–Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, with more than 11,000 athletes and 6,000 support staff from 45 countries.
The Games will feature 43 sports and 71 disciplines, with 1,407 medals to be awarded across 469 events.
The announcement was made during a press conference held by the UAE Olympic Committee at its headquarters in Dubai, in the presence of representatives of the participating sports federations and a number of media representatives.
The UAE will be represented by 165 athletes – 117 male and 48 female athletes – who will compete across 23 sports. The 16-day competition includes athletics, swimming, taekwondo, padel tennis, football, esports, equestrian, cycling, archery, rowing, sailing, fencing, golf, shooting, judo, modern pentathlon, triathlon, jiu-jitsu, rugby, weightlifting, boxing and karate.
Dr Nasser Al Tamimi, Board Member of the UAE Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Technical Committee, described Aichi-Nagoya and Dakar as two important milestones in the journey of UAE sport.
He noted that the Asian Games are among the most prominent continental sporting events, while the Youth Olympic Games serve as an important platform for gaining experience and developing a new generation of athletes.
UAE at Asian Games
The UAE’s participation in modern pentathlon and padel tennis will mark the country’s first appearance in both sports in Asian Games history, representing a new milestone that reflects the expanding scope of the UAE’s presence at the continental event.
The UAE men’s national football team will open the country’s campaign at the Games against Iran on September 16, after being drawn in Group B alongside China, DPR Korea and Iran.
The UAE rugby sevens team will also compete in a group that includes Sri Lanka, Singapore and the Philippines.
The UAE has won 60 medals over the course of its participation in the event’s history, comprising 12 gold, 21 silver and 27 bronze. Aichi–Nagoya 2026 will mark the country’s 12th appearance since its debut at Bangkok 1978.
UAE at Dakar
Also shared at the conference were details about the fourth Youth Olympic Games, to be hosted by Dakar, the Senegalese capital, from October 31 to November 13, making the first African city to host an Olympic sporting event.
The UAE has participated in each since the inaugural edition in Singapore in 2010, followed by Nanjing, China, and Buenos Aires, Argentina. It was the latter in 2018 when the UAE won their first medal through rider Omar Al Marzouqi’s silver in show jumping.
The UAE will be represented by a team of 15, comprising nine male and six female athletes, who will compete in 10 sports – athletics, archery, triathlon, boxing, equestrian, swimming, fencing, cycling, judo and badminton.
Diamniadio and Saly will share the hosting responsibilities with Dakar, with 2,700 athletes competing in 25 sports across 151 events.