MUSCAT, NOV 8
The seventh edition of the Oman Para Athletics meeting kicked off on Friday, organised by the Omani Paralympic Committee under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and supervised by the International Athletics Federation for People with Disabilities. The event is being held from November 8 to 9. A total of 150 athletes, representing clubs such as UAE’s Khorfakkan Club, Al Madina Club, Saudi Arabia’s Jazan Club, Bahrain's team, Czech teams (A) and (B) and Greece team, along with four teams from Oman, are competing at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher.
Competitors from various countries are participating in a range of athletic events tailored for individuals with different disabilities, including physical, visual, cerebral palsy and intellectual disabilities. The competitions include sprints for distances of 100 metres, 200 metres, 400 metres, 800 metres and 1,500 metres, along with long jump, javelin throw, discus throw and shot put, by the various disability classifications.
As part of the preparations, a technical meeting for the forum was held, chaired by Dr Mansour bin Sultan al Touqi, forum’s director, and attended by Tareq Soui'i, technical director of the championship and representative of the International Athletics Federation for People with Disabilities, as well as representatives from the participating clubs and teams. The meeting addressed organisational and logistical aspects, confirmed the teams’ readiness, emphasised safety protocols, finalised the competition schedules and reviewed the rules, along with arrangements for accommodation and transportation to ensure a positive experience for all participants.
Dr Mansour al Touqi emphasised the importance of the event, stating, “this championship is one of the most significant global sports events for people with disabilities, and we are proud to increase the number of competitions from 30 to 51, adding greater diversity and providing more athletes the chance to compete. We have arranged everything to ensure a unique and comprehensive experience, aiming to create an encouraging environment for all participants to enhance their skills and showcase their talents.”
He added that Oman’s annual hosting of this event reaffirms the Sultanate’s commitment to supporting sports for people with disabilities both locally and internationally, providing the necessary support to develop this field to meet athletes' aspirations and achieve new milestones. He wished the participating teams a challenging and thrilling competition.
On the sidelines of the championship, the theoretical programme for the Omani referees’ qualification course concluded. Held on November 7 and 8 under the supervision of international instructor Tareq Soui'i, the course provided intensive theoretical training for referees who will officiate the tournament’s competitions. This course builds on last year’s training, targeting a new group of referees to establish a strong foundation for officiating future tournaments, including the upcoming West Asian Championship, which Oman will host.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
