MUSCAT: The Badminton Athlete Preparation Centers Championship concluded recently at the Smash Badminton Hall in Al Seeb, unveiling promising new talents among junior athletes from both genders. The one day event featured 29 players from the Al Seeb and Bausher centers, who showcased their skills in a highly competitive and vibrant atmosphere. The restructured Oman Racket Sports Committee (ORSC) which formed since 2023 and headed by Dr Abdulrahim bin Musallam al Droushi has set its vision on developing players from the junior age groups, with a strong focus on preparing them for future regional and international competitions.
The championship highlighted strong technical levels across all categories, as players competed fiercely for top honors. The appointed national team head coach for Badminton, Waseem al Khatib, together with the technical staff, closely monitored the matches and gathered performance data on all participants. This initiative aligns with the ORSC’s vision of scouting and developing emerging talents to nurture a promising new generation of badminton players in Oman.
The final ceremony was attended by Dr Abdulrahim bin Musallam al Droushi, Chairman of ORSC, alongside with the new members of the committee including Eng Ahmed bin Hamid al Asmi, Secretary of the Committee, beside committee members, parents and badminton enthusiasts.
ORSC board member Ruqaya al Amri said that the championship’s main objective was to enhance the abilities of young badminton players by creating direct competition opportunities between the centers. “The event contributed to preparing players for future tournaments and also refining the skills of national coaches while reinforcing sustainable partnerships between the committee and Oman’s wider sports sector,” she said.
Highlighting the importance of the initiative, coach Waseem al Khatib explained: “Training centers for younger age groups represent the essential foundation for any sport, especially badminton given its technical complexity and the fine details required to master it. Success depends on consistently introducing new players in a structured, scientific manner, while continuing to refine existing athletes step by step through regular participation in tournaments. Organising such competitions also plays a vital role in instilling responsibility, discipline and a spirit of competitiveness among the players.”
CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
In the girls category, Rawaan al Busaidy secured first place, followed by Mihad al Busaidy in second, and Asyad al Ghabri in third. In the boys under-9 category, Osama al Khamisi clinched the title, with Moayyed al Nadabi in second and Yaseen al Khamisi in third. The under-11 category saw Ziyad al Battashi crowned champion, ahead of Ali al Ghatrifi in second and Al Baraa al Shueili in third.
In the under-13 category, Abdullah al Owaidi claimed first place, followed by Taimour al Maqrashi in second and Abdullah al Azri in third. In the open category, Mohammed al Maqrashi emerged as champion, with Sultan al Azri finishing second and Ahmed al Azri taking third.
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