Muscat: Nearly 200 senior Arab players have registered their participation in the 10th Arab Veteran's Tennis Championship to be held in Oman in September.
The championship will be staged in the Governorate of Dhofar from September 4 to 9.
Oman Tennis Association (OTA) Chairman Dr Ahmed al Saidi heads the organising committee for the Arab veteran's tournament.
"The preparations are in full swing. We hope to stage a successful tournament with good participation from the Arab countries," Al Saidi said.
Competitions will be held in men's singles and doubles, women's singles and doubles and mixed doubles.
The age categories for men will be for 30-39 years, 40-49 years, 50-59 years, 60-64 years and above 65 years while for women it would be between 30-44 years, 44-54 years and above 55 years.
OTA Executive Director Salman al Balushi said nearly 200 players have confirmed their participation.
"We have got nearly 200 registrations so far. It is expected to go further before the start of the tournament," Salman, who is also the tournament director, said.
August 25 is the last date to register for the tournament.
International Tennis Federation referee Yousuf al Theraiyyaf will be the chief referee for the tournament.
The organising committee held a preparatory meeting on Monday headed by Dr Ahmed al Saidi, Chairman of the Committee, in the presence of Salman al al Balushi, Tournament Director, Salem al Habsi, Head of the Marketing and Promotion Committee, Bader al Zadjali, Head of the Media Committee, and Faisal al Balushi, the tournament's coordinator.
Twenty Omani players will compete in the men's section, Salman said.
"Most of the players are expected to arrive in Salalah on September 3. The players will be put up at Al Manar and Rotana hotels," he said.
The organisers have arranged an exhibition match between star Omani player Fatma al Nabhani and Kuwait's Mohammed Abdul Ridha Ghareeb. Hamoud bin Sangour al Zadjali, former Central Bank of Oman Chairman, will play against Ali Sultani in another VIP exhibition match.
The competitions will be held in the five courts at the Al Saada Sports Complex in Salalah.
Dr Ahmed al Saidi , head of the tournament's organising committee, will visit Dhofar Governorate to see the final preparations for the tournament.
The tennis fiesta will feature players from the age of 30 to 75 years.
The championships will be held under the auspices of the Arab Seniors Sports Federation and jointly organised by Al Nasr Club, Salalah, and the Oman Tennis Association (OTA). The championship is supported by the Directorate General of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and Oman Olympic Committee.
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