MUSCAT, OCT 14
The Sultanate of Oman, represented by Special Olympics, will host the Racket Games and Golf competitions of the 10th Special Olympics Middle East and North Africa (Mena) Regional Games 2026, which will bring together athletes with intellectual disabilities from across the region.
The competitions are scheduled to take place in Muscat from November 6 to 12, with events in table tennis, badminton, tennis and golf. The venues will include Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Al Amal Club and Ghala Golf Club.
The event forms part of a new regional Games format, with competitions across 19 sports being staged throughout the year in five countries. The programme aims to provide athletes with opportunities to compete, develop their sporting abilities and prepare for future international competitions. The organising committee in Oman is gearing up and coordinating with the relevant national sports associations to ensure preparations are completed across all four disciplines. The coordination includes arrangements for competition venues, technical requirements and the organisation of the events in line with Special Olympics standards.
Hosting the competitions represents an important opportunity for Oman to support the development of athletes with intellectual disabilities and strengthen the country’s role in promoting inclusive sport across the region. The Muscat competitions will also provide athletes with a valuable platform to demonstrate their abilities and gain competitive experience ahead of the 2027 Special Olympics World Summer Games, which are scheduled to take place in Santiago, Chile, from October 16 to 24, 2027.
Oman has previously being represented at the Special Olympics World Games, with its athletes competing in a range of sports on the international stage. At the 2023 World Summer Games in Berlin, Germany, Omani athletes took part in several disciplines, including athletics and bocce, gaining valuable experience while showcasing their abilities alongside athletes from around the world.
Also, Oman had continued its participation at the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy, where a six-athlete delegation competed in cross-country skiing, short-track speed skating and snowshoeing. These appearances reflect the country’s ongoing involvement in the Special Olympics movement and underline the importance of providing athletes with regular competitive opportunities as they prepare for future regional and global events.
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