MUSCAT: Sports commentary is one of the most influential elements in modern sport, serving as the voice that connects millions of fans to the excitement, drama and emotion of competition. Beyond simply describing events on the field, a successful sports commentator is expected to combine knowledge, passion, analysis and communication skills to create a memorable experience for viewers and listeners.
In the Sultanate of Oman, sports commentary has witnessed significant development over the years with the emergence of several talented voices across television, radio and digital platforms. As part of exploring the future of sports media in the country, Oman Observer met with several experienced Omani commentators to discuss the key qualities required to become a successful commentator and the challenges facing the profession today.
The Oman Sports TV commentator Rashid al Shaithani stressed that voice quality remains one of the essential pillars in sports commentary. “A commentator’s voice must be accepted by the audience. The commentator is similar to a singer in many ways, because the fans connect with the tone, delivery and style,” he explained.
He highlighted that sports knowledge and proper language are equally important. “Commentators must master pronunciation, understand technical aspects of the game and stay informed about clubs, players and refereeing matters,” he said.
“Preparation is extremely important, especially when commentating on international leagues. I remember one commentator who was assigned to cover a European league match for the first time. After 19 minutes, he became confused and mixed up the players from both teams. This shows why research and preparation are crucial before every match,” Al Shaithani added.
He added that commentators who work on European football competitions should also understand foreign languages and know how to correctly pronounce players’ names. “Knowing English is important, while additional languages such as Spanish or Italian can become a strong advantage,” he noted.
Speaking about performance style, Al Shaithani emphasised the importance of maintaining balance during commentary. “Some commentators rely only on excitement and loud reactions, but commentary also requires moments of calmness and control. Balanced enthusiasm is the key,” he said.
He also pointed out that Arab audiences are emotional by nature and often connect with memorable phrases and expressions delivered during major moments in matches. “These phrases can later become trends on social media and remain associated with the commentator’s identity,” he added.
On the issue of imitation, Al Shaithani encouraged young commentators to develop their own unique identity. “In the beginning, it is natural for young commentators to imitate famous voices to learn the basics. However, with time, every commentator must create his own style and personality,” he clarified.
PASSION AND TALENT
The AIPS executive board member and Oman Sports TV Commentator Ahmed al Kaabi agreed that passion and talent are the starting points for success in sports commentary. “The first requirement is having a hobby and talent. After that comes reading, following competitions, understanding regulations, learning club histories and practicing continuously,” he said.
Al Kaabi stressed that voice and performance cannot be separated from sports knowledge. “All elements are connected together. You cannot have a strong voice without knowledge, and you cannot have knowledge without proper delivery,” he explained.
He also highlighted the importance of controlling emotions during commentary. “The audience does not always appreciate excessive shouting. The commentator must know when to raise his voice and when to remain calm. The excitement should match the moment,” he said.
According to Al Kaabi, Oman currently has promising commentary talents emerging through competitions and opportunities provided by Oman Sports TV. “There are many young talents with good voices and potential. They only need continuous training, practice and experience,” he noted.
Ahmed also appreciated the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth's yearly competition. “There is a yearly competition represented by Youth Creativity Clubs Competition. In this competition, there is a sports commentary competition category. The level of this competition is at three levels and here you can filter the potential commentators,” he ended.
SUITABLE VOICE
Meanwhile, veteran commentator Rashid al Mukhaini described sports commentary as a profession that requires a complete combination of culture, personality and professionalism. “The successful commentator must possess sports knowledge, a suitable voice and the ability to present the event without making the audience feel bored,” he said.
Al Mukhaini, who began his commentary career in 1991, recalled his participation in local, Gulf, Arab and Asian tournaments throughout his long journey in sports media. He also became the first Omani commentator to work with the major Arab Radio and Television (ART) network in 2007.
Reflecting on the pressures commentators face, he explained that technical difficulties during major matches can create additional challenges. “Sometimes commentators work remotely from studios far away from the stadium. Delays in audio, technical issues or receiving team information late can make the task more difficult,” he said.
Al Mukhaini emphasised that developing commentators requires proper workshops, training courses and support from experienced experts.
“There are many talented young voices in Oman, but discovering and developing them needs organised programmes and continuous mentoring,” he concluded.
Omani commentators believe that preparation, originality, strong sports culture and balanced performance remain the true foundations for building a successful and lasting career behind the microphone.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
