MUSCAT: More than 650 participants from different youth age categories will take part at the Fun Run at Al Khuwair Flagpole Square on Thursday. The event is part of the promotional activities that is aligned with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) initiative ‘Asian Games for All’, and as part of the preparations and growing excitement for the Asian Games which to be hosted in Nagoya, Japan, in June 2026.
The event will be organised by the Oman Olympic Committee (OOC), represented by the Oman Committee for Sport and Active Society, in cooperation with OCA. In a press conference took place on Wednesday, the Oman Olympic Committee revealed the details of the Asian Council’s initiative, in presence of Eng Khalfan bin Saleh al Naabi, OOC Board Member and Chairman of the Oman Committee for Sport and Active Society beside attendance of members of the Nagoya 2026 Organising Committee, Fumihito Kanaizuka, Director of Public Relations and Media, and Manami Okumura, Manager of Public Relations and Media, in addition to OCA members Zhou Jian, Director of Media and Broadcast, and Kona Ramireddy, Video Editor and Photographer.
Eng Khalfan al Naabi said:” The ‘Fun Run’ represents a practical step toward presenting Oman honourably in major continental events. It engages the community in spreading the joy of sports, building future champions, and enhancing Oman’s presence in Asian sports arenas. Between the aspirations of ‘Nagoya 2026’ and the goals of Oman Vision 2040, the Olympic movement remains a unified space for ambition and joint action.” He added
“ Over 650 participants from different segments of society are expected to join in the event. This initiative is one of the major promotional campaigns for ‘Nagoya 2026’. Organising the ‘Fun Run’ in Oman reflects its position as a present and influential sporting nation in Asia.”
Al Naabi elaborated on the expected sports and economic gains:” There are multiple benefits including: enhancing Oman’s reputation as a sports tourism destination, supporting the national economy through sports-driven tourism, and promoting future sports programmes.”
PROMOTING “NAGOYA 2026”
Meanwhile, Fumihito Kanaizuka, Director of PR and Media for Nagoya 2026 Organising Committee, said: “We are delighted to be in Oman and to promote the upcoming Games through this ‘Fun Run’. The Asian Games are the oldest and most prestigious event under the OCA, first held in 1951 in New Delhi. “Asian Games for All” aims to engage Asian communities and allow everyone to experience the Games regardless of age, gender, or ability,”
The ‘Fun Run’ will include two main categories including: 2 km and 5 km distances with participation from schools, universities, clubs, federations, the private sector, sports celebrities and athletes with disabilities.
For his part, Zhou Jian, Director of Media and Broadcast at the OCA, highlighted the children’s art competition held with OOC support. “ This contest uses art as a tool to involve youth in sports and introduce them to the Asian Games. It gives children a chance to express their imagination of Nagoya 2026 and show support for their favourite athletes.”
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