MUSCAT: The Oman Karate Committee has announced that the third edition of the Khareef Dhofar Open Karate Championship will take place on August 21 and 22 at the main indoor hall of the Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex for Culture and Entertainment in Dhofar Governorate.
The championship is being organised in cooperation with Dhofar Municipality and the organising committee of the Khareef Dhofar events and activities as part of efforts to develop karate and expand its participation base across the Sultanate of Oman.
In a press statement issued to the media, Dr Faisal bin Hamad al Maawali, Chairman of the Oman Karate Committee, said the event provides an important platform for identifying promising talent, developing athletes’ abilities and strengthening Dhofar Governorate’s position as a destination for specialised sporting events during the khareef season.
He said the third edition builds on the success of the previous two tournaments and aims to establish the championship as one of the leading sporting events held alongside the Khareef Dhofar Season.
“The championship represents an important technical platform for discovering talent and refining athletes’ abilities, while also promoting Dhofar Governorate as a destination for high-quality sporting events,” Dr Faisal said.
He added that the current edition will feature broader participation, higher technical and organisational standards and the implementation of the latest World Karate Federation regulations.
The championship has attracted interest from clubs, academies and karate training centres from across Oman, with a large number of male and female athletes expected to compete under its open-entry format.
Dr Faisal said the diversity of participation would help raise the technical level of the competition by providing athletes with greater opportunities for competitive experience and the exchange of expertise.
The programme will include individual and team kata, as well as individual kumite competitions, across the children, cadet, junior, youth, under-21 and senior categories for both males and females. Events will be conducted according to approved age and weight classifications and World Karate Federation regulations.
An international refereeing course will also be held ahead of the championship to develop referees and update their knowledge of the latest international rules.
From a technical perspective, the tournament will allow national team coaches to monitor performances and identify outstanding athletes for inclusion in national team development programmes. Competing under international regulations will also help prepare athletes for Gulf, Arab, Asian and international events.
Dr Faisal said staging the championship during the Khareef Dhofar Season reflects the growing integration between sports and tourism. The participation of athletes, officials and their families is expected to support tourism and economic activity while showcasing Dhofar Governorate’s natural attractions.
He also revealed plans to expand future editions by inviting national teams and clubs from the Gulf, Arab and Asian regions, with the long-term aim of establishing the event as an accredited international open championship.
Dr Faisal praised the support of Dhofar Municipality, headed by Dr Ahmed bin Mohsin al Ghassani, the organising committee of the Khareef Dhofar events and activities and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MoCSY).
He expressed hope that the championship would become a permanent annual sporting event on the Khareef Dhofar Season calendar.
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