Wide Participation in the Fun Run Promoting the Asian Games “Nagoya 2026”

The Oman Olympic Committee, represented by the Omani Committee for Sport and Active Society, in cooperation with the Olympic Council of Asia, organized the “Fun Run” to promote the Asian Games “Nagoya 2026”, scheduled to be held in Japan in September and October next year. The event witnessed wide participation exceeding 600 participants from various age groups, reflecting the growing interest in community sports events in the Sultanate of Oman and the desire of community members to engage in physical activity. The race was held on 11 December at Al Khuwair Square near the Flagpole area and featured two main courses: the first covering a distance of 2 kilometers and the second 5 kilometers, catering to participants of different fitness levels.

The closing ceremony of the race was held under the patronage of His Excellency Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Humaidi, Chairman of Muscat Municipality, in the presence of a number of Their Excellencies and members of the Board of Directors of the Oman Olympic Committee.

On this occasion, His Excellency Kiyoshi Serizawa, Ambassador of Japan to the Sultanate of Oman, expressed his happiness at hosting the promotional run for the Asian Games “Nagoya 2026” in Muscat. He noted that the event represents an important opportunity for Japan to introduce the upcoming Games, which will be held in September and October of next year, and for which Japan is making extensive preparations in terms of organization and sports infrastructure. He stated that he felt proud seeing participants wearing Asian Games shirts bearing the “Nagoya 2026” logo, considering this an effective means of delivering the message of the Games to the public and raising awareness in the region. He added that the large number of Omani children and families participating enthusiastically in the run reflects the strong engagement of Omani society and its interest in continental sporting events, while also giving them an early opportunity to learn about the Games to be hosted by Japan. He emphasized that such events allow Japan to present its culture, arts, and people to the world in a broader manner. He also pointed out that recent years have witnessed a growing interest among Omanis in visiting Japan, whether for tourism or to attend events, and expressed his hope that they would have the opportunity to experience the beauty of Japanese cities, nature, and culture firsthand.

Sport for All

For his part, Khalfan bin Saleh Al Naabi, Member of the Board of Directors of the Oman Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Omani Committee for Sport and Active Society, explained that the Fun Run represented one of the key initiatives implemented by the Committee to enhance community awareness of the importance of practicing sport. He noted that organizing the run was the result of cooperation between the Committee for Sport and Active Society, the Oman Olympic Committee, and the Olympic Council of Asia, as part of a series of promotional events aimed at introducing the Asian Games to be hosted by the Japanese city of Nagoya in September next year.

Al Naabi emphasized that the run translates into practice the vision of the Oman Olympic Committee in promoting the concept of “Sport for All”, which is one of the main pillars of the National Sports Strategy in the Sultanate of Oman. He explained that such events contribute to promoting healthy habits, reducing negative behaviors, and motivating society across all age groups to engage in physical activity as an essential component of a balanced lifestyle. He added that the strong participation of families and the presence of children at the event confirm that Omani society has become more aware of the role of sport in enhancing public health.

He pointed out that sport always plays a humanitarian role that goes beyond competition, carrying a message of peace, communication, and rapprochement among peoples. He added that the participation of the Sultanate of Oman in the upcoming Asian Games with several national teams reflects the commitment of the Oman Olympic Committee to regional and international presence in sporting forums, expressing hope that the Games will witness fair competition and high sportsmanship among all participating countries.

Regarding the sporting and economic returns and the expected benefits for the Sultanate of Oman, Engineer Khalfan bin Saleh Al Naabi stated that there are multiple gains, most notably promoting Oman as a sports destination and stimulating the economy through sports tourism, in addition to supporting the sports sector in promoting its future programs. He added that such events serve as a source of inspiration for youth, open horizons for participation in continental and international championships, and represent a gateway to discovering new talents. He emphasized that sport and active society are a core pillar of Oman Vision 2040, and that the Fun Run supports its objectives by spreading a culture of physical activity, improving public health indicators, and empowering the community.

Al Naabi concluded by expressing his appreciation to all participants in the run, including families and volunteers, praising their enthusiasm and engagement, which contributed to the success of the event. He affirmed that this strong community turnout reflects public awareness of the importance of sport and its pivotal role in enhancing quality of life, and supports the efforts of the Oman Olympic Committee to build a more active and healthier society.

More than 600 Participants

Khalifa bin Mohammed Al Jabri, Member of the Board of Directors of the Oman Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Athletes’ Committee, stated that the run is one of the marketing and promotional tools for the Asian Games “Nagoya 2026”. He explained that through this event, the Committee seeks to strengthen the presence of the Asian Games in public awareness and promote them on a wide scale. He noted that the run attracted more than 600 participants from various segments of society, including school students, members of the Olympic Committee, families, and runners from different age groups.

Al Jabri explained that organizing such events aims to encourage Omani society to engage with the continental sporting event and to motivate the national teams that will participate in the upcoming Asian Games. He also pointed out that his recent participation in the Athletes’ Forum held in Kazakhstan included another promotional event, reflecting the Olympic Council of Asia’s commitment to organizing such initiatives across different countries in preparation for the upcoming Games.

He further noted that the Olympic Council of Asia provided promotional medals at these events similar to those that will be awarded to athletes at “Nagoya 2026”. He considered that receiving these medals gives participants a special sense of connection to the event and makes them part of the Asian Games atmosphere before its official launch. He confirmed that this step contributes to enhancing community participation and encouraging the public to follow the achievements of the national teams that will represent the Sultanate of Oman at the upcoming continental event.