Qatar 'ready' if 2030 Asian Games moved back: official

Doha Asian Games organisers are prepared for a potential one-year postponement of the 2030 event to 2031, according to Ahmad Abdulla Al-Buenain, chief executive of the Doha 2030 organising committee. The Games, usually held every four years and on even years, are scheduled to take place in Qatar's capital in 2030. However, reports from April suggested the executive board of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) had approved plans to alter the calendar, causing future Games to double as qualifying and preparation events for the Olympics.

This would shift the Doha Games to 2031, just before the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. Al-Buenain stated that Doha is working closely with the OCA and must ensure venues, operations, and plans are ready if the date changes. He emphasized that any decision will involve both the OCA and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and that Qatari officials need to collaborate with these organizations to satisfy all parties regarding the event's date, duration, and location.

Qatar has already hosted several major sports events, including the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and has all necessary venues ready. The 2006 Asian Games were also held in Doha. Al-Buenain stressed that Qatar is prepared for any date change and highlighted the challenge faced by Japanese organizers, who dealt with a large number of participants, surpassing even the Olympics.