Qatar Heads to Asian Beach Games Sanya 2026 — Team Al Adaam Is Ready to Shine
34 athletes. 7 sports. One mission. Qatar is going to Sanya — and it’s going to compete.
The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) officially confirmed its participation in the Asian Beach Games Sanya 2026 during a press conference held at QOC headquarters on April 12. With a squad of 34 male and female athletes set to represent the nation in Sanya, China from April 22 to 30, 2026, Team Qatar — known proudly as Al Adaam — is locked, loaded, and ready.
What the QOC Said: Official Statements from the Press Conference
Speaking at the official QOC press briefing, Abdulla Al Abdulla, Deputy Head of the Qatari Administrative Delegation, laid out Qatar’s full plan for the Games.
He confirmed that Qatar’s participation reflects the QOC’s commitment to maintaining an active presence in continental sporting events and strengthening Qatar’s profile on the Asian stage.
On preparation, Al Abdulla was clear:
“Qatari teams have completed their preparations through comprehensive training programs overseen by the respective sports federations in coordination with the QOC. The delegation aims to deliver strong performances and compete for medals — particularly in beach handball and beach volleyball, in addition to individual disciplines.”
He also addressed the competitive challenge ahead:
“The Games are expected to feature a high technical level, given the participation of elite athletes from across Asia, which presents significant challenges requiring Qatari athletes to demonstrate peak readiness.”
But crucially, Al Abdulla made clear that results aren’t the only goal:
“The primary objective extends beyond results — it focuses on maximizing technical benefits by providing athletes with opportunities to compete against diverse sporting schools and gain valuable competitive experience in a multi-sport environment. This participation represents an important step in the development pathway of Qatari athletes.”
Team Qatar’s Sports Lineup at Sanya 2026
Qatar will compete across 7 disciplines at the Games. Here’s the full breakdown:
| Sport | Category |
|---|---|
| Beach Volleyball | Men & Women |
| 3×3 Basketball | Men & Women |
| Beach Handball | Mixed |
| Sailing | Open |
| Aquathlon | Open |
| Jiu-Jitsu | Open |
| Wrestling | Open |
About the Asian Beach Games Sanya 2026
The Sixth Asian Beach Games marks a historic return — the first edition since Da Nang, Vietnam in 2016, ending a 10-year hiatus. Sanya becomes only the second Chinese city to host the Games, following Haiyang in 2012.
The Games’ official slogan is “See Ya in Sanya!” and its mascot is Yaya — an eld’s deer in beach clothing, symbolising the dynamic relationship between Sanya, Asia, and the world.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Dates | April 22–30, 2026 |
| Opening Ceremony | April 22, 2026 |
| Closing Ceremony | April 30, 2026 |
| Host City | Sanya, China |
| Total Athletes | 1,790 |
| Participating Nations | 45 |
| Total Sports | 14 |
| Time Zone | China Standard Time (UTC+8) |
The full sports program includes 3×3 basketball, aquatics (open water swimming and water polo), aquathlon, athletics, handball, kabaddi, football, volleyball, wrestling, rowing, jiu-jitsu, sailing, sport climbing, and teqball.
“From the Shores of Doha to the Shores of Sanya” — The Official Campaign
The QOC didn’t just send a team — it launched a full-scale promotional campaign to back them.
Mohammed Al Zaidan, Head of the Team Qatar Media Delegation, announced the campaign at the same press conference, outlining its vision:
“The campaign aims to motivate both fans and athletes, while also highlighting the achievements of Qatari athletes.”
The campaign centres on the slogan “From the Shores of Doha to the Shores of Sanya,” reflecting the connection between sport and tourism, and will spotlight Qatar’s coastal destinations — including Katara Beach, Old Doha Port, Lusail Marina, the Doha Corniche, The Pearl Island, and 974 Beach.
Al Zaidan added that the campaign will deliver diverse digital content capturing the atmosphere of the competitions, with an integrated media vision aimed at projecting a positive image of Qatari sport at both continental and international levels.
Qatar’s Legacy at the Asian Beach Games
This isn’t Qatar’s debut on the beach games stage — far from it. Qatar has been competing since the inaugural edition in Bali in 2008. The journey continued through Muscat 2010, then Haiyang 2012 — where Qatar secured its first ever gold medal through the handball team. In Phuket 2014, Qatar claimed 12 medals (2 gold, 2 silver, 8 bronze), followed by a strong 7-medal haul in Da Nang 2016 (5 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze).
Qatar’s medal history at a glance:
| Edition | Host City | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Bali | — | — | — | Debut |
| 2010 | Muscat | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | Haiyang | 1 | — | — | 1 |
| 2014 | Phuket | 2 | 2 | 8 | 12 |
| 2016 | Da Nang | 5 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| 2026 | Sanya | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
The Road to Sanya: Final Preparations Underway
Team Qatar isn’t just travelling to China — it’s arriving battle-ready. The beach volleyball squad has been putting in extra miles, with a dedicated training camp in Thailand from April 16–19 before flying out to compete.
Every sport in Qatar’s lineup has gone through structured preparation under their respective federations — coordinated directly with the QOC to ensure peak performance from day one of competition.
Planning to follow the buzz? Here’s everything you need on things to do in Qatar while the nation cheers on Al Adaam.
#SEEKQATAR #TeamQatar #AsianBeachGames #Sanya2026 #AlAdaam
Source: Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) | Qatar News Agency (QNA) | Olympic Council of Asia (OCA)
Image Credit: Source: Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC)
