Sri Lanka NOC rallies behind Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games

Wednesday, 10 September 2025 02:45 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

From left: NOC Sri Lanka Vice Presidents Deva Henry and Niloo Jayathilaka, Olympic Council of Asia Director General Capt. Dr. Husain Al Musallam, NOC Sri Lanka President Suresh Subramaniam, Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organising Committee PR and Media Section Director Fumihito Kanaizuka, and NOC Sri Lanka Secretary General Rifdy Fahmy

Mascot being handed over to NOC Sri Lanka President and Secretary General by the Organising Committee of Asian Games 2026 PR and Media Section Director Fumihito Kanaizuka

NOC Sri Lanka Coffee Table Book being presented to Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Director General Capt. (Dr.) Husain Al Musallam by NOC Sri Lanka President Suresh Subramaniam, along with NOC Sri Lanka Secretary General Rifdy Fahmy presenting token of appreciation from NOC Sri Lanka

By Shamseer Jaleel

The National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) has played a pivotal role in welcoming the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) delegation to Colombo as part of the promotional campaign for the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games.

With the emphasis on sustainability and cultural integration, the NOC demonstrated its strong commitment to supporting the third Asian Games to be hosted by Japan.

The press conference, held at the Mount Lavinia Hotel, was addressed by OCA Director General Husain Al Musallam, who briefed Sri Lanka’s media about the vision behind next year’s Games. The NOCSL ensured a significant local presence, connecting the Asian sporting movement with Sri Lankan athletes, officials, and the public.

NOCSL President Suresh Subramaniam emphasised the importance of engaging the wider community in the Asian Games journey. He announced that the Fun Run, scheduled for 8 September along the golden sands of Mount Lavinia, would attract more than 750 participants, including schoolchildren and sports federation representatives. This initiative reflects the NOC’s commitment to creating grassroots awareness of Asia’s premier sporting spectacle.

Beyond the Fun Run, the NOCSL has embraced several OCA-led campaigns such as the Asian Youth Reporter initiative. Through this program, young Sri Lankan journalists have the opportunity to contribute to the Games, with the best selected to join the OCA media team in Nagoya. It is a clear demonstration of the NOC’s focus on nurturing talent not just on the field, but also off it.

The NOC also supported a children’s painting competition, aligning with the theme “Asian Games for All.” The winning artworks will be displayed at Games venues in Japan, giving Sri Lankan creativity an international platform. This cultural integration mirrors the broader ethos of the Games – uniting Asia beyond sport.

Secretary Generally, Rifdy Fahmy, in his closing remarks, stressed the vital role of media in this journey. Calling for closer collaboration.

Pix by Sameera Wijesinghe