Sport Reporter
Muscat, Oct 20
The official delegation of the Sultanate of Oman will arrive in Bahrain on Tuesday morning to take part in the 3rd Asian Youth Games, which will be held from October 22 to 31 with the participation of elite young athletes from across the continent. The Games will feature 24 sports divided into 31 events and a total of 253 competitions for both boys, girls and mixed teams.
Oman will participate with a strong line-up of youth athletes across six disciplines.
In athletics, the team consists of Raed al Balushi competing in the 100m and 200m races, Al Yazan al Shamsi in the 800m and Hamad al Riyami in the 2000m steeplechase.
In golf, the trio of Adam al Barwani, Maher Sumbat, and Branch Jajwani will compete in both individual and team events. The esports team will contest in the Rocket League competition through players Sultan al Balushi, Mashari al Ajmi and Abdullah al Amri. The swimming team will be represented by Mohammed al Wahibi, who will take part in the 50m and 100m backstroke and 50m butterfly events.
The taekwondo squad includes Qaboos al Balushi, Ziyad al Balushi, Al Mutasim al Maskari, Shahinaz al Maawali and Fidaa al Barwani. Meanwhile, the equestrian team (show jumping) comprises riders Abdulaziz al Busaidy, Taha al Balushi and Sarah al Kathiri, competing in both individual and team events.
The Omani delegation is headed by Dr Abdullah bin Khamis Ambusaidi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Education for Education, accompanied by Dr Said bin Mohammed al Hajri, Deputy Head of the Delegation, and Abdullah bin Mohammed Bamkhalaf, Secretary-General of the Oman Olympic Committee. The competitions will be hosted at modern venues including Issa Sports City, Khalifa Sports City, the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre, the Endurance Village and the Sama Bay Zone.
SIX TEAMS
Oman is represented by six national teams in athletics, golf, swimming, electronic sports, taekwondo, and equestrian. The golf team and the administrative mission had arrived earlier, while the remaining teams will join the Games three days before their respective competitions begin.
A welcoming ceremony for all participating nations and the official flag-raising event will take place on Tuesday evening at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre. The Omani flag will be raised by Adam al Barwani from the golf team, while during the official opening ceremony on Wednesday, the honour will go to equestrian athlete Sayyid Abdulaziz al Busaidy and taekwondo athlete Fidaa al Barwani.
The administrative mission began its duties last Friday, finalising all technical and logistical arrangements for the arrival of the national teams and attending coordination meetings with the organizing committee.
According to Badr bin Ali Awlad Thani, head of the Omani delegation, all preparations related to accommodation, transportation, and training venues were completed ahead of time to ensure a smooth arrival and ideal environment for the athletes to focus fully on their performances. He emphasised that close coordination with the organising committee has ensured a comfortable stay and efficient daily operations, praising the excellent facilities and hospitality provided by the hosts, which have greatly supported the delegation’s readiness.
Photos by Nawaf al Busaidy
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