Oman Handball Association replaces Ministry's Shield with OHA Cup
Published: 05:04 PM,Apr 06,2026 | EDITED : 09:04 PM,Apr 06,2026
The Competitions Committee of the Oman Handball Association (OHA) has approved the calendar for the 2026–2027 season, submitting its recommendations to the Board of Directors following a meeting chaired by Mohammed bin Sulaiman al Dhahouri. The move aims to ensure early organisation of competitions and enhance competitiveness among the OHA's 43 affiliated clubs across the country.
The new season will begin with the youth league for players born between 2010 and 2012 on August 21, 2026, followed by the junior league for players born in 2008 and 2009 on August 28. The schedule is designed to provide structured opportunities for different age groups to develop and compete.
The Super Cup will feature four clubs: Oman Club, Seeb, Al Amerat and Nizwa. Oman Club will face Al Amerat directly, while a draw between Seeb and Nizwa will determine the remaining match-up. The date of the competition will be announced at a later stage.
The OHA Cup, which replaces the former Ministry's Shield, is set to begin on October 9, 2026. The second division league will start on October 23, followed by the first division league on November 13.
The season will also include the women’s indoor league and the youth beach handball league, both scheduled for April 2027, as part of efforts to expand participation and strengthen the sport’s presence.
The committee confirmed that detailed regulations for each competition will be issued after finalising the list of participating clubs, ensuring clarity and fair competition. New regulations will allow the registration of foreign players, including goalkeepers, and permit the participation of four youth players in the junior league to support talent development.
These steps are part of the OHA's broader strategy to enhance competition standards and further develop handball in Oman.
Separately, five clubs have confirmed their participation in the upcoming women’s indoor handball league: Salalah, Al Ittihad, Masirah, Al Amerat and Sohar. The league is set to begin in mid-month, with fixtures and regulations to be announced in the coming days, marking the conclusion of the 2025–2026 season.