UAE flag flies high as 20th Asian Games open with glitzy ceremony

Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, Vice President of the UAE Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Executive Office, attended the opening ceremony of 20th Asian Games in Nagoya on Saturday.

The opening ceremony was also attended by Shihab Ahmed Mohammed Abdulrahim Al Fahim, UAE Ambassador to Japan; Faris Mohammed Al Mutawa, Secretary-General of the UAE Olympic Committee; Ghanem Mubarak Al Hajeri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Sports; and Hanan Al Mahmoud and Amal Bushalakh, members of the UAE Olympic Committee Board of Directors.

The UAE is participating with a delegation of 165 athletes across 21 sports, continuing the country’s journey at the Asian Games, with aspirations to deliver strong performances and achieve positive results that reflect the development of UAE sport.

Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi affirmed that the continental event reflects the role of sport in building bridges of communication and closer ties between peoples, by providing a platform that brings together athletes from across Asia in an atmosphere of fair competition and mutual respect, while celebrating the cultural and civilisational diversity of the participating countries and strengthening the values of understanding and friendship among their peoples.

Dr Al Falasi said: “We look forward to seeing the UAE athletes deliver their best performances during the Games and translate the efforts they have made throughout the preparation stages into results that meet our ambitions and reflect the development of UAE sport. We value the efforts of the UAE Olympic Committee, the sports federations, and the technical and administrative teams in preparing our national teams for this event, and we wish all our participating athletes every success in achieving results that raise the UAE flag at this continental gathering.”

Hayam and Faris Carry UAE Flag: Twins Al Hayam Saif Al Balooshi and Faris Al Balooshi, members of the UAE national fencing team, carried the UAE flag during the opening ceremony, leading the national delegation in the parade of participating teams.

The flag-bearing moment brought the siblings together in a memorable scene that reflected their shared sporting journey, which began in foil fencing and continued through numerous participations and achievements, culminating in the honour of carrying the nation’s flag at Asia’s largest sporting gathering.

Their participation carries special significance, having been united by their passion for sport, the national team jersey and a shared competitive journey. This time, they shared the responsibility of representing the UAE in one of the most prominent moments of the opening ceremony.

As part of the follow-up on the UAE delegation’s participation, Mutawa and Hajeri visited the Athletes’ Village for the Aichi–Nagoya 2026 Asian Games.

During the visit, Mutawa and Hajeri reviewed the Village’s facilities and the services provided to participating delegations. They also inspected the UAE delegation’s accommodation and met members of the administrative and medical teams to review the various arrangements for the delegation and ensure the readiness of the organisational and service aspects supporting the UAE’s participation.

Earlier, Asian Games opened in Japan with a glittering ceremony ‌of dance and fireworks. Japan’s Emperor and Empress were given a respectful reception as they took their seats, with International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry also in attendance.

The first gold medal will be won on Sunday morning, likely in the men’s individual triathlon, as the continent’s finest athletes compete in more than 40 sports before the curtain comes down on October 4.

The event in Nagoya and Aichi prefecture has 2028 Olympics places up for grabs in seven sports and will be graced by global stars and fast-rising prodigies.

But it has been dogged by a series of problems in the lead-up.

The more than 11,000 athletes and 6,000 officials stretched organisers to the limit as they scrambled to find accommodation for everyone.

To save money there is no traditional athletes’ village, competitors instead staying in a combination of temporary container-style huts, hotels and cruise ship the Costa Serena.

A high-class swimming competition kicks off in Tokyo on Sunday, with the programme featuring China’s 100 metres freestyle world-record holder Pan Zhanle and 13-year-old ​sensation Yu Zidi.

Apart from traditional Olympic sports, the Games will stage regional favourites kabaddi and sepak takraw along with quirky, modern events.