Semifinals set in Government eights championship

Muscat, Jan 22
The quarterfinal (Round of 8) matches of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth Government Institutions Eight-a-Side Football Championship 2026 concluded with intense and highly competitive encounters, as teams battled fiercely for places in the semifinals. The matches reflected the significance of this decisive stage, with performances marked by determination, discipline, and strong technical displays.
Ministry of Education (A) booked their place in the semifinals after a deserved 2–0 victory over the Ministry of Finance, controlling the game from the outset and effectively converting their dominance into goals.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth continued their impressive campaign with a hard-fought 2–1 win against the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, in a closely contested match that remained competitive until the final minutes before being settled by the team’s attacking efficiency.
Royal Court Affairs also secured qualification after edging past the State Audit Institution with a narrow 1–0 victory in a tactically disciplined match dominated by defensive caution, before a decisive goal sealed their progress.
The quarterfinals concluded with Diwan of Royal Court Affairs defeating the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources 2–0, confirming their strong presence in the tournament and earning a well-deserved place among the final four.
STRONG IMPACT
Following the conclusion of the quarterfinals, Tournament Director Ibrahim al Shibli stated that the competition has now entered its decisive stages, describing this edition as one of the most distinguished in terms of attendance, technical quality and competitive spirit.
He noted that the qualification of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, Ministry of Education (A), Royal Court Affairs and Diwan of Royal Court Affairs came on merit after consistent performances throughout the tournament. He praised the intensity on the field as well as the positive and friendly atmosphere that strengthened relationships among employees from various government institutions.
Al Shibli added that the organising committee worked to deliver the tournament professionally through technical cooperation with the Oman Football Association, emphasising that its success reflects teamwork and collective effort.
He also highlighted the strong crowd attendance and the presence of government officials supporting their teams, which added significant value to the event and reinforced institutional unity. Furthermore, he noted that players’ physical readiness and improved technical standards were among the tournament’s key gains, contributing to higher-quality matches and a successful outcome both administratively and technically.