Finalists emerge in National Debating Championship qualifiers

MUSCAT: The results of the second round of the preliminary qualifiers for the ninth edition of the National Debating Championship were announced in Muscat, marking another competitive stage in one of Oman’s key youth platforms for dialogue and critical thinking.
Held as part of the second phase of the championship and hosted by the Arab Open University, the round brought together 40 teams representing universities, colleges and sports clubs from across Oman.
The competition witnessed strong engagement, with participants demonstrating advanced levels of persuasion, logical analysis and rhetoric. The intensity of the debates reflected the growing standard of participation in the championship year after year.
Following the second round, several teams secured their places in the final stage of the tournament. Qualifying teams from the Muscat round include Al Shabab Club, Sultan Qaboos University (Team 1), A'Sharqiyah University (Team 1), the German University of Technology in Oman, Global College of Engineering and Technology and Al Rustaq Club.
The final stage of the championship is scheduled to be held in May in Muscat Governorate, featuring top teams selected from across Oman.
Hamad bin Khalfan al Harrasi, Head of the Youth Awareness and Education Department at the General Directorate of Youth, said the second stage in Muscat was the largest in terms of participation in this edition, with 40 competing teams.
He noted that the championship, organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth in cooperation with the Oman Debate Center, plays a key role in equipping young people with structured debating skills based on argument, logic, and evidence.
Al Harrasi added that participation levels have increased steadily each year, with institutions investing in training programmes that strengthen leadership, teamwork, and public speaking skills.
The championship is widely regarded as a national platform for nurturing critical thinking and constructive dialogue among youth, in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040. - ONA