Muscat: Salalah Club were crowned champions of the Oman Youth Basketball League (Under-18) for the 2025-26 season for the first time in their history after a deserved 81-70 victory over Seeb in the title-deciding clash at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex hall in Bausher on Sunday evening.
In the third-place playoff, Al Amerat edged Nizwa 61-57 in an exciting encounter, as the season concluded in the presence of basketball officials and club representatives.
The final lived up to expectations, with both teams producing a competitive and high-tempo contest from the opening quarter. Seeb made the stronger start and finished the first period 19-17 ahead after taking advantage of early scoring chances through Salim al Mahrouqi, Jaid al Kindi and Abdulrahman al Maamari.
Salalah, however, gradually settled into the game and found their rhythm in the second quarter. The team turned the momentum in its favour through disciplined defence and effective finishing, with key three-pointers helping it open a useful gap before half-time. Salalah went into the break with a 43-33 lead.
Seeb responded strongly after the interval and managed to cut the deficit to just two points during the third quarter, but Salalah regained control in the closing stages of the period and moved 60-52 ahead. In the final quarter, Salalah maintained their composure, widened the margin through organised attacking play and eventually sealed an 11-point win to lift the title.
At the end of the championship, OBA Chairman Eng Khalfan al Naabi, crowned the top three teams. Salalah received the league trophy and gold medals, while Seeb collected silver and Al Amerat took bronze. Individual awards also went to Qaisar al Balushi of Salalah as best playmaker, Abdulrahman al Maamari of Seeb as best centre, Mazin al Owaisi of Al Amerat as best three-point scorer and Mishal Kafkaf of Salalah as the championship’s top scorer.
LEAGUE FOR ATHLETE CENTRES
After the awards ceremony, Eng Khalfan al Naabi, OBA Chairman, congratulated Salalah on winning the title, praising the team’s performance in the final against Seeb and noting that the triumph was the club’s first in the league. He said the achievement reflected the progress and hard work of the Dhofar-based side, adding that Salalah has the potential to continue supplying talented players to the national teams.
He also said this season’s Youth League was marked by strong competition and good sportsmanship, pointing to Al Amerat’s comeback win over Nizwa in the third-place playoff as another highlight. Al Naabi stressed the importance of investing in age-group categories, describing youth and junior levels as the foundation for building the future of sport, while also underlining the role of athlete development centres in nurturing talent with continued support from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MoCSY).
He added that a dedicated league for athlete development centres is expected to be launched in the coming period, a step aimed at strengthening competition, raising player standards and supporting both clubs and national teams.
Speaking after the title win, Salalah player Muhab al Radhwan said the team deserved the championship after a long journey of hard work. He said the players entered the league determined to win the title and delivered when it mattered most against Seeb through teamwork, belief and strong spirit. He added that the achievement would give the team a major boost in the coming seasons.
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