Muscat: The Oman Billiards and Snooker Committee continues to strengthen its international presence through the participation of two players and an international referee at the Asian Snooker Championship, to be hosted in Doha, Qatar, from January 31 to February 6. The tournament features an elite group of the continent’s top players, highlighting the continued growth of the sport in Oman and the expanding presence of its technical and officiating cadres at continental events.
Representing the Sultanate of Oman are Ahmed Bashir and Sami al Hamrashdi, who enter the competition with high ambitions to deliver performances that reflect their technical and mental readiness. Their participation follows focused preparations aimed at sharpening concentration and tactical discipline, key elements in the demanding nature of snooker matches.
The championship serves as an important platform for the players to test themselves against diverse Asian playing styles and gain valuable competitive experience, particularly with the presence of highly ranked and accomplished continental players. This creates strong matchups and presents participants with high-level technical challenges.
Ahmed Bashir described the participation as a significant step in his sporting career, saying "the Asian Championship brings together the best players on the continent. Competing here gives us great experience and helps us improve both technically and mentally. Representing Oman at such an event is an honour and a responsibility, and we aim to present a performance that reflects the development of Omani snooker and our ability to compete with the strongest names."
On the officiating side, the selection of Omani international referee Nazir al Balushi to the tournament’s refereeing team reflects the confidence placed in Omani officials by the Asian federation, following a record of successful appearances in regional and international championships.
Al Balushi said being part of the officiating team at a continental event of this scale is a great source of pride and confirms that Omani referees have earned the trust of continental federations. Such participations help refine our experience and elevate refereeing standards, while also carrying the responsibility of presenting the best image of Omani competence on the international stage.
Meanwhile, Hamood al Harthy of the Oman Billiards and Snooker Committee explained that the participation comes as part of a comprehensive plan to develop both players and referees and expand international exposure opportunities, contributing to the building of a strong competitive base and reinforcing Oman’s presence on the Asian snooker map.
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