MUSCAT: Oman athletes are gearing up to take part in the 24th edition of the Arab Athletics Championship in Algeria from Wednesday to Sunday. As many as 12 countries have confirmed their participation in the Arab meet including Kuwait, Palestine, Djibouti, Lebanon, Qatar, Egypt, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Tunisia, Algeria and the Sultanate of Oman.
The tournament will include many events including: men’s and women’s 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, long jump, javelin, relay team 100mX4, 400mX4, discus throw and other events. This event will act as a great opportunity for the national athletes to gear up for the forthcoming regional and international championships.
Oman’s Olympian sprinters Ali bin Anwar al Balushi and Mazoon al Alawi will lead the Oman challenge in the meet. Recently, Ali managed to secure a slot at the 20th World Athletics Indoor Championships following his gold medal at the Meeting de Paris Indoor at the World Athletics Indoor (Tour Silver) as he ended first in the Men's 60m Final last February. Al Balushi managed to end the race in 6.53 seconds.
Oman’s athletes delivered an outstanding show in their last presence at the GCC Beach Games in Muscat during April first week. On the opening day of athletics, Oman commenced their campaign strongly by winning six medals as Mulham al Balushi won gold in the men’s 60-metre sprint. In the women’s 60-metre sprint, Mazoon al Alawi took silver for Oman. In the men’s high jump, Oman’s Fatik Bait Jaboob took gold. In the men’s long jump, Oman’s Salim al Yarubi won gold, his teammate Salim al Rawahi earned silver.
On the second day, Oman added five more medals as Mazoon al Alawi grabbed gold in the women’s long jump while her teammate Alaa al Zadjali took silver. In the mile race, Oman’s Mohammed al Suleimani finished in second. In the men’s high jump, Oman’s Salim al Rawahi won gold and Salim al Yarubi took silver.
On the concluding day of the Games, Oman’s athletes bagged five more medals. Shaikha al Hinai delivered an outstanding performance to win gold in the women’s triple jump, while her teammate Alaa al Zadjali secured silver. The men’s 4x60 metre relay team worked hard as one team to claim the gold. It was the same scenario by the women team in the women’s 4x60 metre relay as Oman dominated once again by securing gold. In the women’s high jump, Alia al Mughairi of Oman delivered an exceptional performance to claim the gold.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
