Asian Games Headquarters: Location, Organization, History & Role
What is the Headquarters of the Asian Games, who do the management and what is the importance of the headquarters in one of the largest games in Asia? The meetings of the Asian Games take place from one country to another in Asia; however, there is a permanent head office of the organization.
The story of the headquarters mirrors how the Games themselves have evolved since the first Asian Games in 1951. The Asian Games Federation (AGF) ran the early editions until 1982, when the Olympic Council of Asia took over the continental sports movement.
Asian Games Headquarters at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Asian Games governing organization | Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) |
| Permanent headquarters | Kuwait City, Kuwait |
| Country | Kuwait |
| OCA established | November 16, 1982 |
| Previous governing body | Asian Games Federation (AGF) |
| AGF established | 1949 |
| First Asian Games | New Delhi, India, 1951 |
| First Asian Games under OCA | Seoul, South Korea, 1986 |
| OCA member NOCs | 45 |
| 20th Asian Games | Aichi-Nagoya 2026 |
Where Is the Asian Games Headquarters?
The Asian Games headquarters is located in Kuwait City, Kuwait.
The permanent headquarters belongs to the Olympic Council of Asia, the continental sports organization responsible for the Asian Games and other OCA competitions. The OCA says its headquarters is located along Kuwait’s Gulf beach road and describes the building as one of the landmarks of Kuwait City.
The OCA Constitution also identifies Kuwait City as the organization’s seat, with a sub-office in Lausanne, Switzerland, at the ANOC headquarters, and provisions for regional offices across the OCA’s five zones.
What Is the Olympic Council of Asia?
OCA is the independent, non-governmental, non-profit representative of Asia recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) and the 46 NOCs from Asia.
Its responsibilities extend beyond one sporting event. The OCA provides a continental framework for the Asian Olympic Movement and has jurisdiction over OCA Games and activities.
Asian Games Headquarters History: From New Delhi to Kuwait
The history of the Asian Games headquarters is closely connected to the history of organized sport in Asia.
Before the Asian Games Federation
The modern concept of the Asian Games movement was developed from previous regional sports games.
According to the OCA official history, the Far Eastern Championship Games started in Manila in 1913 and the West Asian Games in New Delhi in 1934. After the Second World War, Asian sports leaders worked to unite these regional movements into a single continental Games.
At the 1948 London Olympics, delegates from National Olympic Committees from the Asian continent agreed to go for the promotion of awareness on Asian Games movement.
Asian Games Federation Established in 1949
Asian Games Federation (AGF) came into being in 1949, in New Delhi, India.
It was headquartered at New Delhi and later that it governed the Asian Games of the first era.
First Asian Games in 1951
In 1951, the inaugural Asian Games are organised in New Delhi, India.
It served as the basis for a continental multi-sport event that has grown to be one of the world’s greatest sporting events.
Then the Games went on a quadrennial schedule which saw the second edition in Manila in 1954.
Transition From AGF to OCA
A big organisational change occurred in the early 1980s.
OCA also focuses on the historical materials and, in 1981, Asian sports leaders decided to modify the name and structure of the Asian Games Federation, so it became the Olympic Council of Asia. In 1982, the OCA was officially inaugurated and its main office was transferred from India to Kuwait.
The OCA was formally constituted during the 1982 New Delhi Asian Games, which were still run by the AGF — Seoul 1986 became the first edition staged under the OCA.
Why Did the Asian Games Headquarters Move to Kuwait?
According to the official history of the OCA, since that time, the headquarters of OCA has been shifted from India to Kuwait in 1982.
The transfer was part of the overall conversion from the Asian Games Federation to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).
The choice of Kuwait is not to be undervalued by stating ‘it’s due to this one geographic or financial benefit’ as this would be unconfirmed. It is clear that from 1982, Kuwait was the permanent seat of the OCA, and continues to be the headquarters of the OCA today.
What Does the Asian Games Headquarters Actually Do?
The OCA headquarters provides the administrative and governance center for the organization. According to the OCA administration page, its headquarters in Kuwait is responsible for day-to-day administration, financial affairs and implementation of decisions made by the General Assembly and Executive Board.
1. Governing the Asian Games
The OCA provides the continental governance framework for the Asian Games.
Its Constitution gives the organization jurisdiction over OCA Games, activities and properties. The General Assembly is identified as the supreme authority of the OCA on matters concerning its rules and regulations.
2. Working With National Olympic Committees
OCA is the link between the continental sports movement and the National Olympic Committees across Asia.
The OCA is home to 46 NOCs from countries and territories throughout Asia.
3. Maintaining Sporting Governance
The OCA’s Constitution requires the organization to operate within the Olympic Movement and respect the Olympic Charter and World Anti-Doping Code.
4. Managing Administration and Finance
The Kuwait headquarters is also the center of the OCA’s daily administration and financial affairs.
The organization’s financial guidelines assign the Director General responsibility for overseeing the day-to-day financial operations of the OCA Headquarters and implementing development programs, among other administrative duties.
5. Coordinating With Host Organizers
Each Asian Games edition needs a local organization capable of managing venues, operations, athletes, volunteers, transport, ceremonies and other Games-related requirements.
The OCA works with the host country’s organizing structure while maintaining its continental governance responsibilities.
How Is the Olympic Council of Asia Organized?
The OCA headquarters and Aichi-Nagoya 2026 collaboration is particularly significant as the Asian Games 2026 draw near.
Its official organization includes:
- General Assembly
- Executive Board
- President
- Director General
- Standing Committees
- Administration
OCA Standing Committees
The OCA lists a wide range of standing committees, including:
- Athletes Committee
- Audit & Risk Committee
- Coordination Committee
- Culture Committee
- Education Committee
- Ethics Committee
- Finance Committee
- Gender Equity Committee
- International Relations Committee
- Legal Committee
- Media Committee
- Medical Committee
- Para Asian Games Committee
- Sports Committee
- Sports and Environment Committee
- Sports for All Committee
- Esports, Martial Art & Mind Sports Committee
These committees provide specialist advice and support to the OCA’s General Assembly, Executive Board or President, depending on their function.
Who Runs the Asian Games Headquarters?
The leadership of the OCA can change, so this is a section that should be checked regularly for future updates.
The OCA’s current headquarters page lists HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani as President and Husain Al-Musallam as Director General.
The Director General has a particularly important administrative role because the OCA states that its day-to-day administration is placed under the responsibility of the Director General.
Asian Games Headquarters and Aichi-Nagoya 2026
The relationship between the OCA headquarters and Aichi-Nagoya 2026 is especially important as the 20th Asian Games approaches.
The OCA lists:
- Edition: 20th Asian Games
- Host city: Aichi-Nagoya
- Host country: Japan
- Opening ceremony: September 19, 2026
- Closing ceremony: October 4, 2026
- Participating NOCs: 45
Asian Games Headquarters Timeline
1913
The Far Eastern Championship Games began in Manila.
1934
The West Asian Games began in New Delhi.
1948
Asian NOC leaders at the London Olympics moved toward unifying the Asian sporting movements.
1949
The Asian Games Federation was established in New Delhi.
1951
The first unified Asian Games were held in New Delhi.
1954–1978
The Asian Games continued under the Asian Games Federation.
1981
Asian sports leaders decided to transition from the Asian Games Federation toward the Olympic Council of Asia.
1982
The OCA was formed, with OCA headquarters relocated to Kuwait from India.
1982
The OCA was constituted in New Delhi during the 9th Asian Games; the AGF was dissolved soon after.
2026
The 20th Asian Games take place in Aichi-Nagoya from 19 September to 4 October.
Asian Games Headquarters: Kuwait’s Role in Asian Sport
Kuwait is not simply the location of an administrative office. It has become closely associated with the institutional history of the modern Asian sports movement.
The OCA describes its Kuwait headquarters as the home of the Asian sports movement, committed to equality, fair competition and peace through sport in Asia.
Major OCA meetings also have been held at the headquarters. The OCA 45th General Assembly was hosted by its Kuwait headquarters with representation from all 45 of the NOCs in May 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Asian Games Headquarters
Where is the head office of the Asian Games?
The OCA (Olympic Council of Asia) has its permanent Headquarters in Kuwait City, Kuwait.
What is the name of the head of the Asian Games?
The Asian Games are under the wing of the continental sports organisation: the Olympic Council of Asia.
Has the Asian Games headquarters always been in Kuwait?
No. In 1949, the headquarters of the Asian Games Federation were set up in New Delhi, India. The headquarters of the OCA transferred to Kuwait in 1982 when the Organisation was created.
At what time was the Olympic Council of Asia founded?
In 1982, it was decided that the Asian Games Federation will be replaced with the Olympic Council of Asia and thus the OCA was born.
Which was the first Asian Games under the OCA?
Seoul 1986 was the first Asian Games staged under the OCA. The OCA itself was constituted in November 1982 in New Delhi, during Games still run by the Asian Games Federation.
Final Thoughts
The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is the central organisation of the Asian continent and is permanently based in Kuwait City, the headquarters of the Games. It all started with the Asian Games Federation in New Delhi and evolved when the OCA was established in 1982, moving the movement’s home to Kuwait. Read more about the Olympic Council of Asia, every Asian Games host country and where the next Asian Games will be held.
