The Oman Golf Association (OGA) organised a comprehensive workshop on Wednesday evening at the Oman Olympic Committee headquarters, attended by national team players and members of the golf community. The event formed part of preparations for the 2026 season and included the recognition of players who achieved outstanding results during the 2025 season.
The session opened with a speech by OGA Vice-Chairman Faiz Mohammed Riyadh, who welcomed attendees and expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MoCSY) for its continued support and for honouring the players.
Faiz praised the athletes for their achievements, noting that they have proudly represented Oman on regional and international stages. He said: “You are a source of pride for the nation, and this is only the beginning of even greater success."
The workshop also featured a detailed presentation of the 2026 competition calendar, which includes a mix of domestic tournaments and regional and international events aimed at enhancing competitiveness and providing greater exposure for players.
Speaking on the challenges facing golf, the OGA vice-chairman highlighted key issues such as expanding grassroots participation, increasing youth awareness and ensuring access to high-quality training environments. He emphasised that the OGA is addressing these challenges through structured grassroots programmes, school partnerships, talent identification initiatives and stronger collaboration with international golf bodies to create advanced development pathways.
Faiz added that the 2026 season will be ambitious, with plans to increase participation in GCC and regional championships, provide more international opportunities for players and host key events in Oman to strengthen its position as a growing golf hub in the region.
STRONG MOTIVATION
Meanwhile, Yousuf bin Azzan al Rumhy, winner of the individual title at the 2025 GCC Championship, expressed his pride in being honoured. Yousuf noted that he began playing golf at the age of six with the support of his father and now trains under coach Jonathan Bartlett.
The golfing talent added that his ambition is to turn professional and compete in major global tournaments, particularly The Masters, stressing that the recognition gives him strong motivation to achieve further success.
Heba bint Saeed al Nabhani also highlighted the benefits of her first participation in the GCC Championship, noting that the experience and technical workshops, including sessions with coach Jonathan, significantly contributed to her development both physically and technically.
Head coach Jonathan Bartlett expressed satisfaction with the progress of the training programmes, noting that the OGA adopts a comprehensive approach tailored to individual player characteristics. He added that golf in Oman has witnessed significant development, particularly through the 'Unleash Your Drive' school programme launched in cooperation with The R&A, which has engaged more than 1,000 students since 2023.
This workshop reflects the ongoing efforts to develop golf in Oman and build a strong base of talent capable of representing the Sultanate of Oman at the international level.
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