2nd edition of the Amateur Sports Forum begins today

MUSCAT: The second edition of the Amateur Sports Forum will kick off this evening, Monday, organised by the General Directorate of Sports Activities at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MoCSY), represented by the Amateur Sports Department. The forum will run until the evening of Wednesday, October 1, at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher.
This year’s forum builds on the success of the first edition held last year, which featured ten sports aimed at introducing them to the community and spreading awareness. In this edition, the forum takes a significant step forward by hosting three official championships for the first time in Oman the First Oman Archery Championship, the First Oman Sepak Takraw Championship, and the First Oman Pickleball Championship.
These championships aim to measure public and athletic interest in these sports, highlight their growing momentum, and provide athletes and enthusiasts with the opportunity to practice them in a structured, competitive environment. So far, more than 80 male and female participants of various age groups have registered in one of the championships, reflecting the increasing enthusiasm for these emerging sports.

Mohammed bin Said al Niyadi, Head of the Amateur Sports Department, stressed that the forum represents a long-awaited platform for those interested in new and non-mainstream sports in the Sultanate of Oman. It serves as a bridge for communication between practitioners and official sports authorities, creating effective channels of cooperation and helping to integrate these athletes into active sporting communities in the country. He also pointed out that some Arab federations are closely following these sports, paving the way for future cooperation and potential affiliation, which will enhance development opportunities both locally and regionally.
The forum is open to the public of all ages and nationalities, with events held in two sessions morning session: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm, and the evening session: 3:30 pm – 9:30 pm.
Amid the global momentum for investing in sports, Oman seeks through this forum to position itself as a hub for emerging sports, given their societal and health benefits, as well as their role in supporting the national economy and diversifying income sources.