NAGOYA, Japan, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Qatar will not need to build new venues for the Asian Games in Doha, but the date of the event remains undecided, with the country prepared to host it in either 2030 or 2031, organizing committee CEO Ahmed Abdullah Al Buainain said Thursday.
"I'm confirming that all the venues are ready. There are no extra venues to be built. We have all the infrastructure ready; it's a matter of utilizing the venues," Al Buainain said at a media dialogue at Bayt Qatar (House of Qatar) during the ongoing Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
The comments came days before the Asian Games flag is due to be handed over to Doha on October 4.
Al Buainain pointed to Al Janoub Stadium, a legacy venue from the 2022 FIFA World Cup, as an example of how Qatar's existing facilities could be repurposed.
"We had the opportunity to transfer the FIFA World Cup legacy of Al Janoub Stadium into a FIBA basketball arena for the first time, in a very short period of time," he said, referring to next year's FIBA World Cup in Doha.
He described the upcoming flag handover as "a new chapter for us," marking the formal transition from the Aichi-Nagoya organizers to Doha.
On the timing of the Games, Al Buainain said no decision had been made. Doha previously hosted the Asian Games in December 2006.
"To be honest, it's a little bit early to decide. We are already in discussion with the Olympic Council of Asia; Qatar is ready to host it at any time of year, but we also need to consider the sports calendar," he said.
"Most probably by the end of this year, and in January, we should announce the duration and the dates of the Games."
Asked about speculation that the Games could be pushed back by a year, Al Buainain said the decision rests with the OCA and the International Olympic Committee.
"Whatever is needed, whether 2030 or 2031, Qatar will be ready to host this event," he said.
Heat could also influence the scheduling.
"Since the athletes are the core element, we always work towards their benefit and how they can perform well. That is the main thing for us," Al Buainain told Xinhua.
No cap has yet been set on the number of athletes and officials, after the Aichi-Nagoya Games drew roughly 17,000 participants, about 2,000 more than initially projected.
"For now, we are trying to make sure everyone is happy, all the federations, about having their sport, their discipline, and the number of athletes. So there is no limitation up to this point," he said.
"We are not trying to take any sport or discipline out."
The planned Athletes' Village in Lusail is designed to accommodate around 18,000 athletes and officials. Al Buainain said organizers want it to offer more than accommodation and cater to athletes from across Asia.
He said travel times between the village and competition venues were expected to be around 20 to 30 minutes, reflecting Doha's compact geography.
"The normal travel time is almost 20-30 minutes across all the venues," he said. "In Doha we have the athletes' village, dedicated shuttle buses to take people to the training and competition venues, and we also have the metro available for the fans and the athletes."
Around 30 members of the Doha organizing team have been embedded in Nagoya since the start of the Games under an observer program, working alongside the Japanese organizers. Al Buainain said Doha also planned to draw on lessons from the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023.
"The tournament in 2023 was amazing. Everyone was checking the technology there. Our team was even there to observe and listen," he said.
"Our strategy at the Doha LOC is to go and learn, always. There is no shame in learning and opening collaboration between two hosts."
Al Buainain said the observer program would continue in Doha and could be opened to potential future hosts beyond the city due to stage the next edition.
"For sure there will be an observer programme, not necessarily only for the next host, but for anyone thinking about hosting the tournament in eight or ten years," he said.
Al Buainain closed the session by pledging transparency as Doha begins preparations.
"We are waiting for you in Doha 2030, where we promise that together we can have a successful event," he said. ■
