

MUSCAT, JAN 21
The quarterfinal matches for boys and girls and the semifinals for doubles are ongoing in the second stage of the Asian and International Tennis Federation (ITF) U-14 Championship hosted by Oman. The championship sees participation from 13 Asian countries and includes regional qualifiers for West and Central Asia.
The championship will conclude on Thursday at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex tennis courts in Bausher.
The doubles category in the second phase witnessed remarkable performances. The Jordanian duo of Omar Istambouli and Rayan al Kawar defeated the Qatari pair of Abdulrahman al Nuaimi and Mohammed Samara 3-6, 6-2, 10-6. The Yemeni pair of Ayham al Zara and Mohammed al Awadhy overcame the Kuwaiti duo of Saud al Sabah and Faisal al Mutawa with a 7-6, 6-0 victory.
In another match, the Lebanese duo of Ilyas Charabieh and Garbiel Gostin excelled, defeating their opponents 6-2, 5-7, 10-5. Meanwhile, Oman’s national team duo of Moataz al Mazrouei and Ali al Busaidi delivered an outstanding performance, defeating the Tajik pair of Ahmad Foustov and Shukrukh Nigmatov 6-3, 6-1. The Iraqi duo of Ahmed al Taleb and Hassan Girar also secured a win against Bahrain's Ali al Khayat and Nasser Mohammed, finishing 6-3, 6-1.
Ahmed al Balushi, Director of the Asian and ITF U-14 Championship, expressed his immense pride in hosting the tournament’s second edition in Oman. He highlighted that the trust of the ITF in awarding Oman the hosting rights again stems from the remarkable success of the inaugural edition last year. Al Balushi noted that while the first edition included only eight participating teams, the current edition features 13, adding a valuable dimension to the competition.
“We have witnessed intense matches and exceptional competition, reflecting the high calibre of the participating players,” said Al Balushi. “The championship includes top-ranked Asian players, competing against such experienced players provides valuable exposure for others.”
Al Balushi emphasised that meticulous preparations were made to ensure the championship's success, including selecting a hotel near the tennis courts to facilitate players' transportation. He noted that the matches are held in morning and evening sessions, and the championship is a ranking tournament, with the top two teams qualifying directly for the Asian finals.
He further explained that all teams accredited by the ITF are participating in this edition. The ITF representative commended Oman’s exemplary organisation, both in this edition and the previous one. Additionally, Al Balushi highlighted the introduction of new enhancements in the Asian Federation’s system, such as real-time results through the ITF system, streamlining match management and the drawing process.
LOCAL TALENTS
Regarding match management, Al Balushi stated, “the tournament is officiated by international referee Ahmad al Hawaj from Bahrain, alongside a group of skilled local referees who have demonstrated exceptional expertise, enhancing their confidence. So far, no errors have been recorded, showcasing their high level of competence.”
On the performance of local players, Al Balushi praised the achievements of Areen and Talia, noting that Areen secured third place in the first edition and reached the doubles semifinal with her partner. He also commended the efforts of Moataz al Mazrouei and Azan, who, despite unfavourable draws, showcased strong performances. “We hope they achieve better results in the second stage,” he added.
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