Qatar opens Asian Games competition with win over Iran

Qatar defeated Iran 59–35 in Group B men’s basketball at Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, beginning competition at the Nagoya-Aichi Asian Games before the event’s official opening.

Qatar held off an Iranian comeback, with Michael Lewis leading the scoring with 21 points. Taiwan later defeated Jordan 83–80 in the other Group B match.

The Games are scheduled to run from 19 September to 4 October, with basketball among several competitions starting before the opening ceremony. The men’s basketball medal finals are scheduled for 20 September.

Organisers expect more than 17,000 athletes and officials to compete across 43 sports. The Games are returning to Japan for the first time since 1994, with qualifying places for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics available in several sports.

The event’s accommodation plans include a cruise liner, wooden containers and standard hotel rooms. Al Jazeera reported that record rainfall had briefly forced hundreds of athletes to evacuate their accommodation, while rainwater also entered some competition venues.