MUSCAT: In a glittering event, the Oman Olympic Committee (OOC) felicitated the national medallists in the 19th edition of Asian Games which was held in Hangzhou, China, during September 23 to October 8 and the fourth edition of Asian Para Games which was held in China, from October 22 to 28. The function was held under the auspices of Shaikh Khalid bin Mohammed al Zubair, Chairman of OOC, in presence of dignitaries. Honouring of the Sultanate of Oman’s Asian accomplishers was inline to the OOC commitment to support Omani athletes and praise their outstanding sporting performance at the regional and international levels.
Oman Sail’s 49er team comprising sailors Musab al Hadi and Walid al Kindi had clinched silver medal for Oman in sailing competition while sprinter Hussain al Farsi had bagged bronze for the nation in the men’s 800 metres final.
Oman para athletics team stars had achieved remarkable accomplishment as Mohammed al Mashaykhi clinched two gold medals in shot put and javelin throw events. Moreover, the bronze medallist of 2022 Paralympics in Tokyo had earned direct qualification spot in shot put event at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games in France. Oman’s para star Mohammed al Qasmi had bagged two deserved silver medals in shot put and javelin throw events.
The chairman of OOC in his opening speech praised the champions for their outstanding accomplishment. “We are all proud of our national team athletes for their top show and registered accomplishments in the 19th Asian Games and the 4th Asian Paralympic Games which were recently concluded in China and the Sultanate of Oman’s athletes had captured six medals in both events,” he said.
“This honour comes within the framework of supporting Omani athletes and with an aim of achieving more honourable results and motivating the rest of the athletes and national teams to make better efforts to reach top levels in various continental and international events.”
Al Zubair appreciated all the efforts taken by all the government parties and associations who contributed positively to the achievement.
“Special thanks to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, Omani Athletics Association (OAA), Oman Sail, Oman Paralympic Committee and all the technical and coaching staff for their hard and diligent work,” he said.
Al Zubair concluded his speech with confirmation that OOC will continue its close follow-up and will provide the necessary support to all national teams in order to raise the flag of the Sultanate of Oman high in all the international events and championships.
Sailor Walid al Kindi thanked OOC for the honour. “Getting the honour from the OOC and previously from the Ministry will encourage us to perform much better in the coming events. We are currently gearing up to take part in the final Asian qualifiers to 2024 Paris Olympic Games, in Thailand during December. The competition will be very tough and only the first place will advance to the Olympic Games. We will work hard to accomplish this target,” he told Oman Daily Observer.
Sprinter Hussain al Farsi expressed his joy to be honoured after securing bronze medal in the Asian Games. “I am very glad to be one of the accomplishers in this top Asian Games event. It was a great moment and I am working hard to register more better achievements in the near future. I am preparing now in Kuwait under supervision of coach Fahad al Shammari to take part in the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in Iran in February 2024 and then the World Indoor Athletics Championships in London in April next year,” he signed off.
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