Oman rugby team returns for Asia Rugby Sevens

Muscat, Oct 20
Just days after announcing their withdrawal at a previous press conference, the Oman Rugby Committee officially confirmed on Tuesday that the national team will return to compete in the Asia Rugby Sevens Championship, hosted by Oman on October 25–26 at the Royal Oman Police Stadium in Al Wattayah, with the participation of 15 Asian countries.
This comeback reflects the team’s determination and ambition to perform honourably before home fans in the nation’s first continental rugby event.
The Oman national team enters the tournament with a balanced line-up combining experience and ambition. The squad includes captain Imad al Marjabi, along with Haitham al Harthy, Majid al Dhakhri, Ahmed al Balushi, Rashid al Rashdi, Faisal al Faliti, Zakaria al Faliti, Awsid al Rawahi, Julian Dadon, Dwyte Ferreira, Mahmoud Sabri and Finlay Watson.
The team is led by coach Brian Hopkin, with Mohammed Rabeeh al Hashami as team manager and Donna Hopkin as physiotherapist, aiming to deliver a performance worthy of the Sultanate’s name in its first continental appearance on home soil.
ECONOMIC IMPACT
Nabil bin Riyadh al Busaidy, Chairman of the Oman Rugby Committee, revealed that hosting the Asia Rugby Sevens Championship was not part of the annual plan, but rather an unexpected opportunity wisely seized in collaboration with Oman Sports Events Company.
He explained that the committee is in constant communication with Asia Rugby, and when the chance to host arose, they examined what Oman would gain from it. After conducting a feasibility study, they found that every Omani rial spent on the championship would return three to four rials in economic and tourism benefits.
Al Busaidy emphasised that bidding to host an international tournament was not an easy task, as it required meeting strict standards related to anti-doping, medical facilities, nutrition, and organisation.
He said that the bid file was comprehensive, but what set Oman apart was its strategic location, excellent air connectivity, and the support of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth in building a new national team to represent the Sultanate.
He added that the ministry was a key partner in achieving this milestone, noting that the committee also organised training courses for doctors, physiotherapists and referees in preparation for the tournament.
The championship features 18 teams representing 15 nations, including Oman. Bahrain are considered one of the top contenders, given their roster of experienced players trained in British schools and universities.
Al Busaidy stated that Oman’s participation marks the beginning of a long-term project to build a competitive national team.
He explained that the goal is to inspire young Omanis and encourage them to embrace rugby, considering this tournament the first step in a plan leading up to the 2032 Olympics.
He added that the committee is working on launching school and military programmes to discover new talents and expand the sport’s reach across Oman.
Al Busaidy described the tournament as an opportunity to gain valuable experience from Asia’s strongest teams, adding that the Omani squad would rely on speed and fitness as its main strengths.
He also highlighted the tourism value of the event, noting that several teams arrived early to train and explore Oman’s attractions, which supports sports tourism promotion.
He invited fans to attend and enjoy the matches, saying that even attending for just one hour will allow spectators to discover the excitement and energy of rugby.
According to Al Busaidy, the tournament will leave a significant technical legacy, as over 50 coaches have been trained, five of them at Level 2, alongside local refereeing courses.
The matches will be broadcast live through a partnership between an Omani company and another from Dubai.
He concluded that the championship is expected to be a launching point toward hosting larger tournaments in the future, in line with Oman Vision 2040, to strengthen Oman's position in both Asian and international rugby.