His Highness Sayyid Azan bin Qais Al Said Appointed President of the Oman Olympic Committee, Dr. Abdullah Ambusaidi as Vice President
The General Assembly of the Oman Olympic Committee acclaimed His Highness Sayyid Azan bin Qais Al Said as President of the Oman Olympic Committee, and His Excellency Professor Dr. Abdullah bin Khamis Ambusaidi as Vice President for the electoral term (2024–2028). This took place during the Ordinary General Assembly meeting held yesterday morning at the JW Marriott Hotel – Al Irfan, in the presence of the Board members of the Oman Olympic Committee, members of the General Assembly, a representative from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, as well as the candidates for the Board of Directors for the 2024–2028 term.
At the beginning of the meeting, Mr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al Zubair delivered an opening speech in which he welcomed the attendees and emphasized the outgoing Board’s commitment to implementing a comprehensive development plan based on a number of key pillars aimed at advancing the Omani sports system, enhancing its institutional and technical efficiency, and building an environment conducive to excellence across various aspects of sports work.
Al Zubair also highlighted the previous Board’s focus on strengthening administrative and organizational structures, updating the internal work systems and regulations, and activating governance frameworks in line with best international practices, consistent with national priorities and options, and responsive to international obligations stemming from the Committee’s membership in the international Olympic movement and its commitment to the provisions of the Olympic Charter.
He also appreciated the valuable efforts of the sports federations and committees in nurturing and developing Omani athletes, commending the honorable achievements made by Omani athletes at several significant continental events.
He noted that the Sultanate of Oman’s hosting of the Third GCC Beach Games from 5 to 11 April 2025 represents a milestone in the history of Omani sports. Not only did it serve as a national occasion reflecting Oman’s organizational and technical capabilities, political stability, advanced infrastructure, and qualified national cadres capable of managing major events professionally, but it also embodied the depth of fraternal relations among GCC states and the shared bonds that unite Gulf peoples within a framework of cooperation, solidarity, and common destiny.
Al Zubair also expressed his pride in the comprehensive renovation and development of the Omani Olympic Museum, which has been reopened in its new form as a national and Olympic institution that embodies the sports memory of the Sultanate of Oman, contributes to instilling Olympic culture, promotes national belonging, and embeds sports and human values among the youth and future generations.
Afterwards, the General Assembly discussed the meeting’s agenda, approved the minutes of the Extraordinary General Assembly held on 16 February 2025, reviewed the 2024 annual report highlighting the key administrative and technical achievements of the past year, presented the proposed activity plan for 2025, and discussed the final accounts for the concluded fiscal year, the auditor’s report, and the proposed budget for the current year.
The election proceedings then commenced, during which the General Assembly elected Sheikh Badr bin Ali Al Rawas and Jihad bin Abdullah Al Sheikh to occupy the two seats allocated for sports personalities within the General Assembly membership for the 2024–2028 term.
Subsequently, the Election Committee announced the acclamation of His Highness Sayyid Azan bin Qais Al Said as President of the Committee and His Excellency Professor Dr. Abdullah bin Khamis Ambusaidi as Vice President. The Committee also announced the acclamation of several members as per the categories specified in the Committee’s bylaws: Taha bin Suleiman Al Kashri and Abdullah bin Mohammed Bamakhalef as representatives of Olympic sports federations; Yusuf bin Awadh Beit Salim as representative of non-Olympic sports federations; Khalifa bin Hamad Al Jabri as representative of athletes, elected by the Omani Athletes Committee; and Ms. Sana bint Hamad Al Busaidi as representative of women’s sports.
As for the six seats allocated to representatives of Olympic sports federations, the General Assembly elected the following from among nine nominees representing the relevant federations: Mousa bin Khamis Al Balushi (President of the Oman Handball Federation), Dr. Marwan bin Jumaa Al Jumaa (President of the Oman Hockey Federation), Brigadier (Ret.) Saeed bin Mohammed Al Hajri (President of the Oman Athletics Federation), Qais bin Saud Al Zakwani (representing the Oman Aquatics Federation), Engineer Ibrahim bin Abdullah Al Maqbali (President of the Oman Volleyball Federation), and Engineer Khalfan bin Salih Al Naabi (President of the Oman Basketball Federation).
His Highness Sayyid Azan bin Qais Al Said, President of the Oman Olympic Committee, delivered a speech in which he stated:
“What has been achieved over the past years in terms of organizational and technical gains, and the firm foundational steps taken, serve as an inspiration for us all to continue building and elevating the Committee’s work towards broader horizons of integration and effectiveness, in service of Omani sports and enhancing its presence on regional and international levels.”
He added:
“Indeed, names may change and faces may differ, but the goal remains the same, and the direction is unified. We are not swayed by differing positions or alternating roles. Rather, it is renewed ambition, pulsing through new blood, continuing the journey started by our predecessors, and carrying the same torch forward toward broader horizons and greater service to our beloved Omani sports.”
The President extended his thanks and appreciation to Mr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al Zubair and the former Board members for their sincere efforts and the institutional, organizational, and technical legacy they have left behind, which will serve as a motivation to continue on the same path and further develop what they have started, in a spirit of appreciation and joint work.
Following this, the newly formed Board of Directors of the Oman Olympic Committee held its first meeting, chaired by His Highness Sayyid Azan bin Qais Al Said and attended by all members.
During the meeting, the key complementary roles within the Board were assigned: Abdullah bin Mohammed Bamakhalef was appointed Secretary-General, and Qais bin Saud Al Zakwani as Treasurer.
The Executive Office was also approved, chaired by His Highness Sayyid Azan bin Qais Al Said, and comprising Abdullah bin Mohammed Bamakhalef, Qais bin Saud Al Zakwani, and Dr. Marwan bin Jumaa Al Jumaa.
