Jindal Youth League kicks off with six matches Today

MUSCAT: The inaugural Jindal Youth League will get underway on Saturday with six opening-round fixtures, marking the launch of the first competition of the 2026/2027 domestic football season.

The new tournament reflects the Oman Football Association’s efforts to strengthen age-group competitions, widen the talent identification programme and provide young players with a competitive platform to develop their technical abilities.

A total of 14 clubs will compete in the inaugural edition, divided into two groups of seven teams each.

Group One comprises Oman Club, Seeb, Samayil, Sur, Dhofar, Al Nasr and Bahla, while Group Two features Saham, Al Rustaq, Sohar, Al Khabourah, Al Nahda, Ibri and Al Shabab.

All Group One matches during the first stage will be played at Seeb Club’s ground in Al Baha’is, while Al Rustaq Sports Complex will host the Group Two fixtures.

Young Omani footballers in action.

Group One action begins at 6 pm on Saturday with two simultaneous encounters. Bahla will take on Oman Club, while Al Nasr face Sur. The opening round will conclude at 7:20 pm when Samayil meet Dhofar, with Seeb receiving a bye.

In Group Two, Al Nahda will open their campaign against Ibri at 6 pm, while Sohar and Al Khabourah meet at Al Rustaq Sports Complex.

The final match of the group’s opening round will see Saham face hosts Al Rustaq at 7:20 pm. Al Shabab will sit out the first round.

The first stage will be contested in a single round-robin format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semifinals. The last-four matches will be played on a knockout basis to determine the two finalists who will compete for the competition’s inaugural title.

A total of 14 clubs will compete in the inaugural edition.

The tournament forms part of the OFA’s strategy to develop its age-group competition structure and raise the level of competition among young footballers. It is also aimed at preparing a new generation of players capable of progressing through the national team pathway in the coming years.

The initiative is in line with international efforts to expand youth football competitions and provide promising players with more opportunities to gain competitive experience, particularly ahead of the Fifa Under-15 World Cup scheduled to be held in Azerbaijan in October.