India, Jan. 27 -- Qatar scored a win in Olympic politics Monday, with the emirate also aiming to host the 2036 Summer Games. Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) members elected Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani as their president to complete the term in office of Randir Singh of India, who stepped down for health reasons.

Sheikh Joaan was the only candidate nominated and received 44 votes, with one OCA member abstaining, at the Olympic body's annual assembly. His term runs to 2028."I stand before you today with feelings of great pride and responsibility," the sheikh said in an acceptance speech. He also leads the Qatar Olympic Committee and is senior vice president of the global group of national Olympic bodies, known as ANOC.

Sheikh Joaan is t...