President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. welcomes Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, president of the Olympic Council of Asia and the Qatar Olympic Committee, during a courtesy call at the Study Room of Malacañan Palace in Manila on Friday (May 1, 2026). They discussed ways to further strenghten cooperation on sport development. (Photo courtesy of PCO)
The Philippines is stepping up efforts to elevate its sports development agenda, as it moves to deepen cooperation with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), with a focus on athlete training, institutional partnerships, and future hosting opportunities.
In a key diplomatic engagement, Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. welcomed Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani—who also heads the Qatar Olympic Committee—during a courtesy call at Malacañan Palace on Friday, according to the Presidential Communications Office.
Discussions centered on expanding collaboration in athlete development, including access to training programs and international resources that could further sharpen the competitive edge of Filipino athletes. Both sides also explored strengthening institutional ties and opening the door for the Philippines to host major regional and global sporting events.
The meeting highlighted the importance of closer engagement with the OCA, which plays a pivotal role in organizing and supporting multi-sport events across Asia. Officials noted that deeper cooperation could unlock broader opportunities for Filipino athletes to train, compete, and excel on the international stage.
The visit marks the first high-level engagement between the OCA and the current administration—an indication, the PCO said, of growing confidence in the Philippines as a reliable partner in advancing sports excellence and regional cooperation.
The Olympic Council of Asia, an independent organization composed of 45 national Olympic committees across the continent, is a key driver of sports development and collaboration in Asia.
