MUSCAT, APRIL 24
Oman’s national table tennis team is gearing up for a crucial regional appearance as three paddlers prepare to represent the Sultanate of Oman at the upcoming GCC Games 2026 in Doha from May 11 to 22.
The Omani squad will feature Ahmed al Riyami, Taliya al Rawahi and Salma al Nasri with the delegation led by head coach Omid Shams and assistant coach Adnan Fawakherji. The team is currently undergoing an intensive technical preparation phase aimed at ensuring peak performance for the multi-sport event.
Under the close supervision of the coaching staff, the players are focusing on improving their tactical awareness, match readiness and overall physical condition. The preparations are part of a broader strategy by the Oman Table Tennis Association (OTTA) to strengthen the national team’s competitiveness at both regional and international levels.
As part of the build-up to the Games, the OTTA will organise a joint international training camp in early May at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex. The 10-day camp is expected to feature players from Arab and Asian countries, providing valuable exposure and high-level sparring opportunities for the Omani paddlers.
This preparatory camp is seen as a key step in enhancing the players’ readiness, not only for the GCC Games but also for upcoming major competitions such as the Asian Games and international World Table Tennis (WTT) events. The opportunity to train alongside international players is expected to help the team gain experience and improve performance under competitive conditions.
Table tennis is among several sports in which Oman will compete during the fourth edition of the GCC Games. The Sultanate of Oman is also expected to participate in a wide range of disciplines including volleyball, fencing, swimming and handball with additional entries which will be announced in the coming period.
19 SPORTS
The GCC Games in Doha will bring together elite athletes from across the Gulf region, competing in 19 sports. These include athletics, squash, padel, fencing, boxing, taekwondo, karate, swimming, billiards and snooker, basketball (5x5 and 3x3), shooting, archery, volleyball, equestrian and bowling. Competitions will be staged across world-class venues such as Aspire Dome, Lusail Shooting Range and other leading sports facilities in Doha.
Historically, the inaugural GCC Games were held in Manama, Bahrain, from October 11 to 22, 2011, featuring six nations and around 1,500 athletes competing in 11 sports. The second edition took place in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, from October 12 to 26, 2015, with five participating nations and nearly 1,500 athletes across 15 sports. The third edition was hosted by Kuwait City, Kuwait, from May 16 to 31, 2022, with six nations and over 1,500 athletes competing in 16 sports.
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