OCA President Sheikh Ahmad to Stand for Re-election

The president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah has confirmed that he will be standing for re-election later this year at the general assembly in Tokyo on July 14.

In a letter to OCA executive members and affiliated National Olympic Committees, Sheikh Ahmad stated: “I will be offering myself as a candidate for re-election as the OCA president in the forthcoming general assembly.”

Sheikh Ahmad has held the position as the president of the OCA since 1991 as well as membership of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) since 1992.

He was a supporter of Jordan’s Prince Ali eventual successful bid to oust South Korea’s Chung Mong-joon as the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) FIFA vice-president. In an apparent snub to AFC president Mohamed bin Hammam, who is thought to have FIFA leadership ambitions, Sheikh Ahmad announced publicly that all 25 votes which had gone to Prince Ali would also be going to Sepp Blatter in the forthcoming FIFA presidential election.

His letter to OCA officials and directors said: “It has been a singular honour for me to be elected president of the OCA since 1991. It has been a journey which I have cherished very much, especially due to the fact that I have received the whole-hearted support and cooperation of friends and colleagues.

“With your guidance and advice I hope to continue to serve the Asian Olympic Movement to the best of my abilities and capabilities and make the OCA one of the most active and revered continental associations in the world.”