MUSCAT: Salalah is set to host the third edition of the Khareef Dhofar Open Karate Championship on August 21 and 22, with more than 160 athletes representing different age groups expected to take part at the Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex for Culture and Entertainment. The championship, organised by the Oman Karate Committee (OKC), forms part of the activities accompanying the Khareef Dhofar Season.
The event is part of the committee’s efforts to strengthen domestic karate competitions, expand the sport’s reach across Oman and provide athletes with valuable competitive experience. It also aims to identify promising young talent and create opportunities for players to develop their skills in a competitive environment.
Dr Faisal al Maawali, OKC Chairman, said the championship reflects the committee’s efforts to develop the local competition system while expanding karate across the governorates.
“Sport should be a platform for competition and talent development, while also contributing to the presence of sport within national and tourism seasons and events,” Al Maawali said.
He explained that Dhofar was selected because of its strong tourism and sporting profile, particularly during the Khareef Dhofar Season, which attracts significant visitors and creates a vibrant social and cultural environment.
Holding the championship during Khareef Dhofar Season, he added, provides an opportunity to connect sport with tourism and showcase the governorate’s natural, cultural and tourism attractions. It also supports efforts to promote Dhofar as a destination capable of hosting major sporting events while giving local karate athletes the opportunity to compete on home soil.
INTERNATIONAL EVENT
Al Maawali said the committee hopes to develop the championship into an international open event in the coming years, attracting leading athletes from the Gulf region and beyond.
Dr Sadiq al Issa, OKC Secretary, said the current board, which began its mandate about a year ago, had developed an annual strategy focused on establishing a stronger foundation for the sport. The plan includes organising athlete categories and developing the technical and administrative structures for players, coaches and referees.
Al Issa noted that the committee had expanded its international activities, participating in events in Riyadh, Doha, the UAE and Bali, Indonesia, while Oman’s national team also competed at the Asian Junior Championship in Jordan. Domestically, the committee organised four coaching courses and four referee courses to enhance the capabilities of its technical personnel.
A referee development course will be held ahead of the championship, focusing on the latest amendments to international karate regulations. Meetings will also bring together the committee’s board, referees and coaches, while a technical meeting will explain the competition format, match procedures and schedules.
The championship will begin on Friday, August 21, with competitions continuing throughout the day, before the second and final day on Saturday, August 22. The closing ceremony and awards presentation will be held at the conclusion of the championship under the auspices of the Wali of Taqah.
Al Maawali expressed appreciation to Dr Ahmed al Ghassani, Chairman of Dhofar Municipality, the municipality’s activities and events team, the Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex, as well as the organising committee, referees, coaches, athletes and their families for their support.
The championship is supported by Dhofar Municipality, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MoCSY), the Ministry of Health (MoH) and a number of private-sector sponsors and supporting institutions.
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