MUSCAT, OCT 12
The Oman School Sports Association has launched its programme for the 2026/2027 academic year, featuring 18 sporting, educational and community activities aimed at expanding student participation, identifying emerging talent and promoting active lifestyles across schools.
The programme targets boys and girls at different educational levels, as well as students in inclusive education schools, with activities planned across Oman’s educational governorates.
The launch ceremony was held under the patronage of Dr Sultan bin Khamis al Yahyae, Director General of Scouts, Guides and Student Activities, and attended by association board members, officials from relevant government bodies, representatives of school sports committees and other stakeholders.
Fahad bin Khalfan al Mashaikhi, Vice-Chairman of the Oman School Sports Association, said the programme reflected the association’s continued commitment to developing school sport and creating more opportunities for students. He highlighted the importance of schools, sports committees and frontline staff in translating plans into meaningful experiences for young people.
He also stressed that sustainable progress depended on cooperation between educational and sports institutions, health authorities and supporting partners, particularly as the association seeks to broaden participation and strengthen its competitions.
The new programme combines sporting competition with physical and personal development, encouraging discipline, teamwork and self-confidence while providing opportunities for students to discover and develop their abilities.
SCHOOL SPORTS CENTRES AND COMPETITIONS
A key component of the plan is the establishment of school-based athlete development centres in athletics, hockey, basketball and handball. These centres will target students in the first and second educational cycles, with introductory competitions organised for participants.
The calendar also includes school football leagues for different age groups, a girls’ school handball league and an individual sports championship featuring bowling, padel, athletics, esports and shooting.
Beach sports will also feature through school competitions in beach handball and beach volleyball. The events will target students in the second educational cycle and post-basic education and will be held annually in Dhofar Governorate in August.
HEALTH, INCLUSION AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
The programme includes school chess activities and “Sport for All” festivals for students in the first educational cycle in Al Buraimi, Musandam, Al Wusta, Al Sharqiyah North, and Al Dhahirah governorates.
In cooperation with the Ministry of Health, the association will also implement the “Ideal Weight Challenge” in Muscat, Al Batinah North and Dhofar. The unified school sports day, “Shwayat Riyadha” (“A Little Exercise”), is scheduled for December and will bring together students, parents and school staff.
Inclusive sport and professional development are also priorities. Sports festivals will be organised for students in inclusive education schools, while specialised training courses will support teachers and school sports specialists in team and sports festival management.
The Sports Ambassadors programme for girls and female teachers will also continue, seeking to strengthen their participation and presence in school sports activities.
The launch ceremony reviewed the association’s achievements during the 2025/2026 academic year, when 24 central-level activities were held, covering competitions, training workshops, external participation, meetings and partnership agreements.
More than one million students took part in activities under the programme, supported by over 100,000 teachers. Media coverage included approximately 2,000 news reports, while the association’s official accounts on X and Instagram recorded more than four million views.
The ceremony concluded with the recognition of sports committee members, secretaries, specialists, supervisors and other contributors from educational directorates for their efforts in delivering the previous academic year’s activities.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
