Asian Games kick off in Nagoya: UAE takes centre stage at grand opening ceremony
The 20th Asian Games officially opened in Nagoya on Saturday, with the UAE taking centre stage as its 165-member delegation joined athletes and teams from across Asia at the start of the 16-day continental sporting event. The Games run from September 19 to October 4 and feature 43 sports and 469 events. UAE joins nations’ parade in Nagoya The nations’ parade got underway at Paloma Mizuho Stadium…
The 20th Asian Games commenced in Nagoya on September 19, 2026, with the UAE leading the opening ceremony at Paloma Mizuho Stadium. The 16-day event, featuring 43 sports and 469 events, saw 165 UAE athletes compete across 23 disciplines. The nations' parade began with Afghanistan, followed by Bahrain, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Singapore, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Palestine, Brunei, and Bangladesh.
Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Crown Prince Akishino, and Crown Princess Kiko attended the ceremony, which also featured a dance performance forming the word "WELCOME." The UAE has won 60 medals at the Asian Games, with the majority won in the last two editions. This marks the UAE's 13th appearance at the continental sporting event, with female athletes now comprising 48 of the 165 participants.
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