The 24th General Assembly of the Association of the National Olympic Committees (ANOC) began in the presence of Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani and International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach at the Sheraton Hotel in Doha yesterday. 
The assembly, which was opened by the acting ANOC Acting President Robin Mitchell, also saw HE the Assistant Chief of the Amiri Diwan and former QOC secretary-general Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani receiving an ANOC Order of Merit award. 
Representatives of 205 National Olympic Committees (NOC) and 1,000 high-level officials will get together at the two-day meeting, which will conclude today. 
Mitchel, in his opening remarks, thanked the State of Qatar and the QOC for their warm hospitality and excellent hosting of the ANOC World Beach Games, and the General Assembly. The General Assembly decided that Mitchell will continue as the acting president of ANOC. 
Bach and Mitchell honoured awarded the winners of the Order of Merit. 
Sheikh Saoud thanked His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani for the opportunity to work in the field of sports, during the past years. 
He added: “I thank HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, for the nomination to this honour and also to Jassem al-Buenain, Secretary-General of the QOC. 
“This success has been achieved thanks to the support of God and the great support given by the State of Qatar to sports and youth sector. 
“I extend my sincere congratulations to HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani and the rest of the team on the great success achieved in the first edition of the ANOC World Beach Games, which were held in Doha.” He also added that this success is not new to the State of Qatar, and stressed that it is a result of great effort and excellent planning by the organising committee of the games. 
“This tournament was a great challenge as it was entrusted to the State of Qatar three months before its launch. Qatar accepted this challenge and succeeded in organising it in a manner praised by everyone, “Sheikh Saoud said. “Doha has been the capital of world sport by organising all events professionally at the highest level.” 
Sheikh Saoud also congratulated the hosts on the organisation of the General Assembly meetings. 
Others among the Order of Merit awardees included, Niger Olympic Committee president Issake Ide, Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, president of Cameroon Olympic Committee, Vinakpon Julien Minavoa of Benin, and Nigerian Olympic Committee President Habu Gumel. 
Fiji’s Lorraine Mar too was honoured for her work in promoting participation of women and girls in sport.
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