MUSCAT: The GCC Under-10 Tennis Championship concluded in Qatar, with national teams from Gulf Cooperation Council countries participating in a highly competitive atmosphere and showcasing promising technical levels that reflected the growing development of the sport’s grassroots across the region.
The Oman national team took part in the tournament with nine players. It delivered a strong performance, highlighted by securing third place in the doubles competition through the duo of Omar al Shaibani and Hood al Hashemi, who produced impressive displays throughout the championship. Their achievement earned them a place on the podium and added a new milestone to Omani tennis at the age-group level.
The Omani squad included Omar al Shaibani, Fayadh al Hilali, Hood al Hashemi, Ali al Riyami, Muhannad al Najjar, Saeed al Marjabi, Ahmed al Touqi, Elias al Touqi and Sara al Maskari. The delegation was headed by Othman bin Gharib al Raisi, with coach Sofiane Doub accompanying the team.
In a statement, Othman al Raisi, Head of the Omani delegation, said that this participation represented an important stage in the development pathway of young players, noting that the championship provided a valuable opportunity to gain experience and compete against different playing styles.
He said they were pleased with the level shown by the players and with the result achieved in the doubles event, which reflects the great efforts made in preparation and training programmes over the past period. He added that such tournaments are not measured only by medals, but by the confidence, technical maturity and ability that players gain in dealing with international competition environments.
STRONG FOUNDATION
Al Raisi added that both the technical and administrative staff are closely monitoring the players’ development as part of a long-term plan to build a strong foundation for Oman tennis. He explained that the focus is on investing in this age group as it represents the future of the sport and that the federation will continue to provide opportunities through international exposure, training camps and tournaments to raise the technical and mental levels of the players and ensure their readiness for upcoming Gulf and continental competitions.
The technical and administrative teams praised the players’ performances throughout the championship, stressing that such international participation play a key role in developing technical skills, refining talent and preparing a generation capable of representing Oman with distinction in future regional and international events.
The championship concluded with a closing and awards ceremony held in a friendly atmosphere that reflected the spirit of sportsmanship among the GCC national teams and highlighted the shared commitment to supporting youth development and advancing the sport across the region.
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