Muscat: Oman’s national golf team has officially begun its participation in the 43rd Men’s and second Senior Pan Arab Golf Championship. The event, hosted at Al Zorah Golf Club in Ajman, UAE, sees over 100 players from 13 Arab nations, including veteran competitors, coming together for the prestigious tournament. The championship is hosted by the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) in conjunction with the Arab Golf Federation.
Representing Oman’s national team are Azan al Rumhi, Ahmed al Wahaibi, Rashad al Harthy and Pranash Gopal, with the team guided by South African coach Richard. Oman’s veteran contingent includes Ali al Saleh, Hussain al Balushi and Mohammed al Maawali, with the delegation led by Ahmed bin Faisal al Jahdhami, Secretary-General of Oman Golf Association (OGA).
The tournament’s first round saw intense competition, with Morocco’s Adam Bresnu leading the pack, followed by the UAE’s Ahmed Ryan in second and Iraq’s Issa Abu Alaa in third. The UAE’s Ahmed Skaik finished fourth while Moroccan players Mehdi Fakhouri and Hugo Mazen secured fifth and sixth positions. Qatar’s Ali Al Shaherni and Tunisia’s Mehdi Bou Youssef tied for seventh, Bahrain’s Yassin Leflahir claimed eighth and Qatari Saleh al Kaabi rounded out the top nine. Oman’s team faced stiff competition from more experienced players but displayed resilience and potential.
The championship was officially opened on Wednesday in a ceremony attended by Shaikh Fahim bin Sultan al Qasimi, Chairman of EGF. The opening featured a parade of participating teams and the display of flags from Arab Golf Associations alongside those of competing nations. Notable attendees included Nuh Ali Reza, Secretary-General of the Arab Golf Federation, as well as other officials from Arab federations.
Fostering partnerships
Faiz bin Mohammed Riyadh, Vice-Chairman of Oman Golf Association, highlighted the importance of Oman’s participation, stating: “The 43rd Men’s and second Senior Pan Arab Golf Championship is a key moment for us. It offers a platform to showcase the talent within our national team and promotes unity and cooperation among Arab golf federations to advance the sport. This championship also fosters valuable partnerships that will help shape the future of golf across the region.”
Riyadh also noted discussions held during the opening ceremony with Shaikh Fahim bin Sultan al Qasimi and Nuh Ali Reza, underlining Oman’s commitment to advancing golf both domestically and regionally. Additionally, he engaged with officials from Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Tunisia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and Egypt to exchange insights on promoting golf throughout the Arab world.
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