Oman look for good start in Jakarta

Oman are looking ahead for a good start at the 18th Asian Games which opened in Indonesian capital of Jakarta on Thursday. Almost all the Oman national teams have reached Jakarta to take part in the Asian Games which will run until September 2. Oman are taking part in eight disciplines such as hockey, beach volleyball, swimming, sailing, weightlifting while shooting team were the first to arrive in Jakarta. Tennis and athletics are the remaining teams to join shortly.

Oman’s flag is hoisted up at the athletes’ village in Jakarta. The official opening ceremony will be on Sunday as Shaikh Saad bin Mohammed al Saadi, Minister of Sports Affairs, will attend in presence of Shaikh Khalid Mohammed al Zubair, Chairman of Oman Olympic Committee and the head of the Sultanate’s delegation.

TEAMS READY

Oman hockey team will take on Pakistan in a friendly match prior to the start of the official competitions. Beach volleyball team are located at the Palming city as the volleyball competitions will be held there. Beach volleyball team is hopeful for a medal as they were crowned champions at the Arab tournament in Morocco recently. Oman beach volleyball team will start the first matches on August 18. Nouh al Jalbobi and Mazin al Hashmi will represent the Sultanate team which is coached by national coach Khalifa al Jabri.

Omani shooters are continuing their preparations ahead of the official competitions. The team completed its fifth day of external camp. As many as nine shooters will represent the Sultanate and some have the potential to win medals for the Sultanate as they have experience competing in various Olympic and Asian Games’.

Oman sailing team conducted an external camp in Indonesia to adapt with the climate before taking part at the Games. Omani sailors will participate in laser races and boats (40 feet) categories.

AL HABSI LONE LIFTER

Ahmed al Habsi is the only representative of Oman in weightlifting as Asad al Battashi opted out over some family reasons. Coach Mazin al Rushaidi is working hard to prepare the Omani weightlifter for a potential medal.

“The administrative committee of the OOC has completed all the preparations for the national teams to arrive in Indonesia. We are very pleased to take part at this edition of Asian Games. Also, we celebrated with the organising committee for hoisting Oman flag along with Kazakhstan and Chinese Taipei,” Taha al Kishry, general secretary of OOC, said.