Colombo, 10 July 2026 – The National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOC Sri Lanka) has taken a significant step in its preparations for the 6th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) Riyadh 2026, with Chef de Mission of Team Sri Lanka and Executive Board Member of NOC Sri Lanka, Mr. Danuna Tillakaratne, representing the country at the two-day Chefs de Mission (CDM) Seminar held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on 7 and 8 July 2026.

 

During the seminar, organisers confirmed that the Riyadh 2026 Games will feature a gender-balanced programme comprising approximately 3,000 athletes, competing in 18 sports, 25 disciplines and 122 medal events. Competition will commence on 11 December, two days ahead of the Opening Ceremony on 13 December, while the Athletes' Village at Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University will officially open from 8 to 24 December, following a pre-opening phase from 4 to 7 December.

 

Delegates were also informed that entries for the Games will include 13 sports with open entry and five sports requiring qualification, enabling National Olympic Committees to finalise their participation plans in accordance with the qualification systems.

 

The sports programme for Riyadh 2026 comprises Basketball 3x3, Billiard Sports, Boxing, Chess, Futsal, Handball, Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, Kabaddi, Karate, Mixed Martial Arts, Muay, Padel, Squash, Taekwondo, Teqball, Weightlifting and Wrestling.

 

The opening day of the seminar featured presentations by the Organising Committee, followed by venue visits to the Athletes' Village and Boulevard Riyadh City, the main competition precinct where all 18 sports will be staged across seven competition arenas. The Athletes' Village will also house a central training centre catering to all sports, with the exception of padel, whose training facilities will be located at Boulevard Riyadh City.

 

On the second day, delegates received further presentations on National Olympic Committee relations and services, medical services and anti-doping, services for NOC Presidents and Secretary Generals, ceremonies, transportation, logistics and media operations. The programme concluded with dedicated one-on-one consultation sessions between National Olympic Committees and Organising Committee department heads, allowing delegations to clarify operational matters and finalise preparations ahead of December.

 

NOC Sri Lanka remains committed to ensuring Team Sri Lanka is fully prepared for the 6th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games and will continue working closely with the Olympic Council of Asia and the Riyadh 2026 Organising Committee as preparations intensify for Asia's premier indoor and martial arts sporting event this December.

 

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