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Firas Maala Returns to the Forefront as President of the Syrian Olympic Committee
Firas Maala has returned to the Syrian sports scene after appearing in Japan as president of the Syrian Olympic Committee during a meeting with Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, president of the Olympic Council of Asia.
The Qatar Olympic Committee said on September 24 that the meeting was held at “Qatar House” in Nagoya, in the presence of Maala, who was officially introduced as president of the Syrian Olympic Committee. The discussions focused on ways to strengthen cooperation between the Olympic Council of Asia and the Syrian Olympic Committee, support Syria’s sporting movement, and address preparations for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
Maala’s appearance in this position comes months after reports and questions raised by *Zaman al-Wasl* regarding his return to the sports decision-making circle, at a time when Syrian sports institutions are undergoing reorganization and restructuring.
On May 27, the newspaper published a report about Maala’s return to the forefront, pointing to indications that his role within the Syrian Olympic Committee was being reactivated. In August, it also reported on his participation via video conference in a meeting held at the Ministry of Sports and Youth. The meeting was dedicated to discussing a draft of the Syrian Olympic Committee’s new internal regulations and was attended by former members of the executive office of the General Sports Federation, as well as other sports figures.
On September 12, Maala’s name appeared among the members of the Syrian delegation participating in the Asian Games in Japan, where he was identified as president of the Syrian Olympic Committee. This raised questions about the legal and administrative basis for his return to the position and his representation of Syria at international sporting events.
His latest meeting with the president of the Olympic Council of Asia gives his appearance a more formal, continental dimension. Maala’s role has moved beyond internal meetings and activities to the direct representation of Syria before international sports officials.
Questions remain regarding which authority decided to designate Maala to this position, the legal basis governing the decision, and the role played by the Ministry of Sports and Youth in reintroducing him as a representative of the Syrian Olympic Committee.
