Olympic Day puts fitness, youth at heart of Oman’s sporting vision

MUSCAT: The wide community participation in Olympic Day 2026 has highlighted the growing importance of making physical activity a regular part of everyday life in Oman, with children and young people emerging as a key focus in efforts to build a healthier and more active society.
More than 800 citizens and residents took part in the event, organised by the Oman Olympic Committee (OOC), represented by the Oman Committee for Sport and Active Society, on Monday at The Village in Al Hail North. The programme brought together people from different age groups in a setting combining sport, health awareness, entertainment and community engagement.
HH Sayyid Azzan bin Qais al Said, Oman Olympic Committee Chairman, said the strong turnout provided an important indication for the OOC and reinforced its commitment to continuing community-based initiatives that promote physical activity and contribute to building a sporting culture across society.
He stressed that sport and physical activity are fundamental to maintaining good health and a balanced lifestyle, while noting that the participation of people from different age groups and backgrounds demonstrated the importance of creating activities capable of reaching a broad section of the community.
HH Sayyid Azzan said particular attention was given to children and young people because of their importance to the future of sport and society.
“We place great importance on encouraging young people and children to take an interest in sport, participate in different disciplines, continue practising them and develop their skills so they can reach the required levels. We hope such sports activities and programmes will continue in the coming period,” he said.

1.7 KM COMMUNITY WALK
The Olympic Day programme began with a 1.7-kilometre community walk along the waterfront in Al Hail North. Participants of different ages joined the walk, underlining the message that physical activity can be incorporated into daily life through simple and accessible activities.
The event also provided participants with opportunities to discover and try a wide range of sports, including taekwondo, karate, athletics, badminton, table tennis, teqball, sepak takraw, 3x3 basketball, wheelchair basketball and tennis.
Sports specialists, coaches and athletes were present at the different activity areas, allowing visitors to learn more about each discipline and encouraging them to explore sports suited to their interests and abilities.
Golf was also among the sports showcased at the event. HH Sayyid Azzan, who plays golf himself, encouraged those involved in the sport to use community occasions such as Olympic Day to introduce visitors to golf, encourage them to learn more about the discipline and give it a try.
The programme also featured a Strongest Man competition, where participants tested their physical strength through a series of challenges, including a car-lift deadlift and a log-lift challenge.

Winners of the Fitness Challenge, which had been held over several weeks, were also announced during the event following final measurements. The challenge aimed to encourage participants to maintain fitness and adopt healthier habits as part of their daily routines.
Children and families were another major focus of the programme. Dedicated areas offered activities including skateboarding, drawing, colouring, face painting and interactive games, creating an environment where sport was presented as an enjoyable and accessible part of family life.
The awareness programme featured several OOC committees, including the Oman Committee for Sports Medicine, which provided guidance on athlete health and safe physical activity, and the Oman Anti-Doping Committee, which promoted clean sport and sporting integrity.
The Oman Women in Sport and Equal Opportunities Committee highlighted women’s participation in sport, while the Oman Athletes Committee addressed athletes’ rights and needs. The Oman Committee for Sport for Sustainable Environment also raised awareness of the relationship between sport and environmental sustainability.
Community organisations, including Special Olympics Oman Association and Oman Cancer Association, participated through awareness booths, while a medical screening area was organised in cooperation with several health centres in Al Seeb.
HH Sayyid Azzan also praised the contribution of government and private-sector organisations, sports associations and committees, thanking participants, organisers and volunteers for their efforts in making the event a success.
Held under the theme 'You Can Do This! Let’s Move', Olympic Day 2026 underlined the OOC’s broader objective of taking sport beyond competitive arenas and making physical activity a shared community habit, particularly among children and young people.