MUSCAT: The Oman Athletics Association (OAA) held its 2026 ordinary general assembly meeting at Intercity Hotel in Al Khuwair, with representatives of 34 clubs in attendance, as the federation reviewed its recent work, financial matters and long-term development plans for the sport in the Sultanate of Oman.
The meeting opened with remarks by OAA Chairman, Said bin Mohammed al Hajri, who underlined the central role of clubs as key partners in developing athletics, praising their contribution to talent identification, athlete development and support for national teams. He also pointed to the progress made by Oman’s national squads in recent years, highlighting improved technical standards and results, as well as continued efforts to qualify coaches and referees in line with international standards.
Members approved the agenda, endorsed the minutes of the previous general assembly meeting and appointed three members to review the current minutes. The activity report was also ratified after outlining the federation’s programmes, competitions and national team participation at regional and international level.
On the financial side, the assembly approved the audited 2025 annual financial statements after reviewing revenues and expenditures, and also adopted the 2026 budget. Independent external auditors for the 2026 financial year were appointed as part of the federation’s commitment to transparency and sound governance. The meeting was also informed that no new proposals had been submitted by member clubs within the approved timeframe, while no new membership applications were recorded.
A major part of the meeting focused on the federation’s executive road map for the coming years, which aims to elevate Oman into the ranks of advanced athletics nations, strengthen the competitiveness of national teams, attract regional and international events to the Sultanate of Oman and target significant Asian, world and Olympic achievements by 2032. The investment value of the plan was placed at around RO 7.49 million.
The strategy is built around several key areas, including talent identification across Oman’s governorates, youth development, financial sustainability through diversified revenue streams, infrastructure enhancement and the use of modern technology in training and performance analysis. The federation said the plan is aligned with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 and the wider role of sport in national development.
As part of efforts to expand participation, the chairman announced plans to launch a female athlete preparation centre in Muscat, in addition to a sub-centre in Al Jabal Al Akhdhar to benefit from the environmental advantages of high-altitude training. The meeting also reviewed the national teams’ overseas participation during the 2025-2026 season, along with domestic competitions, noting a rise in both the level of competition and the number of participating clubs.
Discussions also touched on several club concerns, including the appointment of the federation’s secretary-general, with some members calling for clearer procedures and prior public announcement of the post. Clubs also asked for greater support to help them compete in local events, while members called for the cross-country competition to return to its former club-based format instead of remaining open, with incentive prizes for participants. There were also calls to expand satellite athlete preparation centres across the governorates and to give clubs with athletics tracks a bigger role as recognised training centres.
At the close of the meeting, the chairman said all remarks and proposals raised by members would be studied by the board, stressing that the next phase requires stronger coordination between the federation and clubs to serve the future of athletics in Oman.
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