Muscat, May 13
Oman began their campaign at the fourth GCC Games Doha 2026 with two bronze medals in taekwondo, as the national teams opened their participation in the multi-sport event, which runs in the Qatari capital until May 22.
Nibras bin Mohammed al Touqi gave Oman their first podium finish after claiming bronze in the men’s 58 kg category, while Umaima bint Harib al Hinai added a second bronze in the women’s 49 kg division. In the men’s 80 kg category, Omar al Sinani bowed out after losing to Kuwait’s Abdullah Patel.
In women’s 3x3 basketball, Oman exited the competition in the first round after two defeats. The team lost their opening match to hosts Qatar 15-10, before producing a stronger performance against Kuwait. Oman pushed the match into overtime after the regular period ended 11-11, but Kuwait eventually edged the contest 13-12.
Oman’s table tennis team also started their campaign with a 3-0 defeat against Saudi Arabia in the team event. In another fixture, Bahrain defeated Qatar 3-1.
At the swimming pool, Oman’s aquatic sports team featured in three events. Hamad bin Sulaiman al Hasani finished fifth in the men’s 800m freestyle, while Mishal al Kulaibi came seventh in the men’s 50m freestyle with a time of 24.84 seconds. Mohammed al Wahaibi finished ninth in the same race in 25.11 seconds and also placed ninth in the men’s 100m backstroke with a time of 1:09.89.
Oman will return to action on the third day with athletics, shooting, fencing, table tennis and swimming events on the schedule. The athletics team will begin their campaign in sprint, relay and field events, including the 100m, 200m, 400m, 4x100m relay, long jump, triple jump, high jump and hammer throw.
The shooting team will take part in official training for the 10m rifle event ahead of the start of competition on Friday, while the fencing team begins its campaign in the men’s individual epee and women’s foil events.
In table tennis, Oman will continue their participation in the men’s doubles quarterfinals against Saudi Arabia. In the singles event, Muhannad bin Khalifa al Balushi will face UAE’s Issa al Balushi, Bilal al Rashdi will meet Saudi Arabia’s Ali al Khadrawi and Ahmed al Riyami will take on Qatar’s Mohammed Abdulwahab.
Oman’s aquatic sports team will conclude its participation with Mishal al Kulaibi competing in the men’s 50m butterfly.
AMBASSADOR RECEIVES TEAM
Earlier, Oman’s delegation was also received by Sayyid Ammar bin Abdullah al Busaidy, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the State of Qatar, in the presence of Abdullah bin Mohammed Bamakhalif, Secretary-General of the Oman Olympic Committee (OOC), Dr Marwan bin Juma al Juma, Deputy Head of Oman’s delegation to the Games, Eng Khalfan bin Saleh al Naabi, Chairman of the Oman Basketball Association (OBA), and members of the administrative and technical delegation.
During the meeting, the ambassador welcomed the Omani delegation and wished them success in their participation at the GCC Games, expressing hope that the national teams would achieve positive results that reflect the progress of Omani sport and its strong presence at Gulf events. He also praised the efforts of the OOC and the sports federations in preparing the national teams for the Games.
The delegation officials expressed their thanks and appreciation to the ambassador for the warm reception and his keenness to follow the participation of Oman’s national teams, stressing that such support provides a strong morale boost for the athletes and delegation members as they look to deliver their best performances during the Games.
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