Al Barwani Raises Oman’s Flag at the Welcome Ceremony for Participants in the 3rd Asian Youth Games

Athletics, Equestrian, and Golf Teams Kick Off Oman’s Participation in the 3rd Asian Youth Games in Bahrain – Today

Athletics, equestrian, and golf teams will officially kick off Oman’s participation in the 3rd Asian Youth Games in Bahrain this Thursday, with high morale and strong determination. The Games are hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain from October 22 to 31, 2025.

Oman, represented by the Oman Olympic Committee, took part on Tuesday in the Welcome and Flag-Raising Ceremony held at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre, where the Omani flag was proudly raised by Adam bin Masoud Al Barwani from the national golf team. The Games bring together over 5,000 young athletes representing 45 Asian National Olympic Committees, competing across 24 sports, 31 disciplines, and 253 events. Competitions will take place in several key venues, including Isa Sports City, Khalifa Sports City, the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre, the Endurance Village, and Sama Bay Zone.

Oman’s delegation also participated on Wednesday evening in the official Opening Ceremony, led by H.E. Dr. Abdullah bin Khamis Ambusaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Education and Head of the Omani Delegation, accompanied by Brigadier (Ret.) Saeed bin Mohammed Al Hajri, Deputy Head of the Delegation, and Abdullah bin Mohammed Bamakhalaf, Secretary-General of the Oman Olympic Committee. The flag bearers during the ceremony were Sayyid Abdulaziz bin Fahad Al Busaidi from the equestrian team and Fida bint Fuad Al Barwani from the taekwondo team.

The athletics and equestrian teams will open Oman’s participation on Thursday. In equestrian, Oman will compete in the team jumping event, represented by Sayyid Abdulaziz bin Fahad Al Busaidi, Taha bin Ziyad Al Balushi, and Sarah bint Suhail Al Kathiri. In athletics, Raed bin Mohammed Al Balushi will compete in the 100m preliminary heats, followed by Al Yazan bin Rashid Al Shamsi on Friday in the 800m event, while Raed Al Balushi will also compete in the 200m sprint, and Hamad bin Nasser Al Riyami will take part in the 2000m steeplechase on Saturday.

The golf team will also begin its competition on Thursday, represented by Adam bin Masoud Al Barwani, Maher Nakil Sumbit, and Branch bin Jubal Jagwani, competing in both the individual and team events against a strong field of Asia’s best young golfers. Meanwhile, the taekwondo team will start weigh-in procedures on Thursday, with Shahnaz Al Maawali and Ziyad Al Balushi competing in their categories on Friday. Three more athletes — Qaboos Al Balushi, Al Moatasim Al Hajri, and Fida Al Barwani — will undergo weigh-ins on Friday, with their preliminary bouts scheduled for Saturday.

In preparation for their events, the national teams continued their training sessions yesterday at the designated venues amid a positive and motivated atmosphere. Brigadier (Ret.) Saeed Al Hajri, Deputy Head of Delegation, and Abdullah Bamakhalaf, Secretary-General of the Oman Olympic Committee, visited the training sessions of the taekwondo and golf teams. During the visit, Bamakhalaf expressed his confidence in the athletes’ abilities, saying that with determination and perseverance, they can deliver performances that make the nation proud. He wished all athletes success and commended their commitment to achieving honorable results for Oman. Training also continued for the athletics and equestrian teams, with strong morale and optimism ahead of the competitions.

Brigadier (Ret.) Saeed bin Mohammed Al Hajri emphasized that Oman’s participation in the Asian Youth Games carries important sporting, social, and cultural dimensions. He said the event represents an investment in the future, as youth are the backbone of any sports movement. The Games provide a unique opportunity to identify and nurture new talents, offering young athletes invaluable international exposure and competitive experience. He added that Oman’s presence also serves as a media and cultural platform, showcasing the growth of Omani youth sports on the Asian stage and promoting the Sultanate’s heritage and values.

Regarding team preparations, Al Hajri explained that federations and committees worked closely with the Oman Olympic Committee to design comprehensive short- and long-term training plans, including domestic and overseas camps and friendly matches to boost technical and physical readiness. He added that Oman aims to win medals in disciplines where it has strong potential, while also focusing on gaining experience and building future generations of athletes. Beyond results, the goal is to strengthen sportsmanship, teamwork, discipline, and fair competition among the youth.

Al Hajri concluded by expressing gratitude to the organizing committee of the Kingdom of Bahrain, noting the warm hospitality, smooth organization, and genuine spirit of friendship throughout the event. He praised Bahrain’s success not only in hosting a major sports event but also in creating lasting bonds of goodwill among all participants.

Dr. Ali bin Abdullah Al Marzouqi, Vice President of the Oman Athletics Association and Administrative Supervisor of Oman’s athletics delegation, described Oman’s participation as a strategic investment in youth development. He explained that preparations began early in coordination with the Oman Athletics Association, other federations, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth to select a strong team of young athletes. Training included local camps at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher, regional competitions, and technical trials to enhance readiness.

Dr. Al Marzouqi acknowledged the challenges facing athletics in Oman, such as the need for greater international exposure and higher technical preparation. However, he emphasized that these challenges present valuable opportunities for learning and long-term development. Participating in a continental event of this scale is an educational experience that can shape future development strategies in infrastructure, coaching, and talent pathways.

He concluded by affirming that Oman’s participation is not merely symbolic but a declaration of its firm commitment to advancing athletics and empowering its young athletes. This participation marks an important step toward a brighter future for Omani track and field, and he expressed confidence that the coming days will reveal the athletes’ efforts and the collective ambition to turn sporting dreams into reality.