Oman set for strong participation with 11 teams at GCC Games

The Oman Olympic Committee has unveiled details of the Sultanate’s participation in the 4th GCC Games (Doha 2026), during a coordination meeting held on Monday morning in the presence of representatives from national teams, sports federations, as well as administrative, technical and media delegations.

Oman will take part in the event, hosted by Qatar from May 11 to 22, with 11 national teams competing across a range of sports, including aquatic sports, taekwondo, table tennis, women’s 3x3 basketball, bowling, shooting, athletics, fencing, billiards and snooker, volleyball, and karate. This participation reflects Oman’s ambition to achieve positive results across multiple disciplines.

The meeting reviewed key technical and organisational aspects of the competition, including match schedules, venues, and regulations, in addition to media guidelines, medical services, and anti-doping procedures. These discussions come as part of efforts to ensure full readiness ahead of the Games.

A section of the attendees at the meeting held at the Olympic Committee.

The Oman Olympic Committee confirmed that all logistical and administrative preparations have been completed, including finalising team lists, registering delegations, and organising travel and accommodation arrangements to ensure a smooth and well-coordinated participation.

The official delegation will be led by HH Sayyid Azzan bin Qais al Said, accompanied by Abdullah bin Mohammed Bamakhlef, Secretary-General of the Oman Olympic Committee, Dr Marwan bin Juma al Juma, Deputy Head of Delegation, Badr bin Ali Awlad Thani, Director of the Delegation, and Abdullah bin Rashid al Ghafri, Assistant Director, along with administrative, medical and media staff.

In terms of team participation, Oman’s aquatic sports team will include four athletes, while the taekwondo team will feature four male and two female athletes. The table tennis team will consist of one male and two female players, and the women’s 3x3 basketball team will include four players.

A section of the attendees at the meeting held at the Olympic Committee.

The bowling team will compete with two players, while the shooting team will include 12 male and female athletes. Athletics will see participation from 16 athletes, while the karate team will have a limited representation. The fencing team will include nine athletes, and the billiards and snooker team will feature three players. Meanwhile, the volleyball team stands out as one of the largest delegations, with 16 players.

The 4th GCC Games will bring together more than 1,074 athletes from six GCC countries, competing in 19 different sports, highlighting the continued growth of the event both technically and organisationally.

Competitions will be held across several world-class venues in Doha, including Aspire Dome, Hamad Aquatic Center, Lusail Shooting Range, Duhail Sports Hall, and Khalifa International Complex, providing an ideal environment for high-level competition.

A section of the female attendees at the meeting held at the Olympic Committee.

The organising committee has adopted the slogan “One Gulf... One Heart,” emphasising unity among GCC nations. The official mascot, “Oshiq,” inspired by the desert lynx, symbolises agility, precision, and discipline, reflecting the region’s cultural and environmental identity.

The Games will officially kick off with an opening ceremony on the evening of May 11 at Al Shaqab Arena, featuring artistic performances that blend modern elements with Qatari heritage, setting the stage for a vibrant sporting celebration of Gulf unity.