Muscat, August 12 - Oman are pinning hopes on weightlifter Asad al Battashi for a medal in the 18th Asian Games in Indonesia from August 18 to September 2. Said al Ghabshi, chairman of Oman Weightlifting Committee (OWC) said that the committee in coordination with Oman Olympic Committee (OOC) has very well prepared Asad for the tough competition in Jakarta. “Asad along with Oman coach Mazin Rasheed from Iraq had attended a camp in Baku city in Azerbaijan for more than two months in preparation for the Asian Games,” Al Ghabshi told Observer.
“We expected that more than one weightlifter will participate in the Asian Games but only Asad al Battashi will represent the Sultanate as the decision made by the OOC. Asad had already reached Jakarta and he will start his competitions on August 23. We are expecting tough competitions from China, Vitenam and Uzbekistan teams,” the OWC chairman added.
“Infact, Asad had got injured prior to the external camp. He underwent a treatment course at Aspire Medical Academy in Qatar. I would like to thank the OOC for their positive efforts and coordination to provide this free treatment for our player. I wish all the best for Asad in the Asian Games and we are optimistic that he can bring a medal for the Sultanate,” Al Ghabshi concluded.
Shooting team arrives
Oman national shooting team arrived in Jakarta to take part at the 18th Asian Games which is scheduled to be held in the two cities of Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia.
Shooting team will have a preparatory camp in Jakarta prior to participating in the competitions. As many as eight shooters will represent the Sultanate team in the 2018 Asian Games including three females: Wadha al Balushi, Amina al Tarshi and Siham al Hasani. Also, Saleem al Malki, Yousef al Abri, Said al Hashmi, Hamed al Khatri, Hussain al Showmi and Ismail al Abri will be in the Sultanate men’s team. Shooting competitions will be held from August 20 to 26.
Oman shooting team comprises of the best shooters who have potential to win medals for the Sultanate. It is ranked as one of the good teams in Asia with some shooters have the experience of taking part in many Olympics and Asian Games.
On the other hand, Shaikh Saad bin Mohammed al Saadi, the Minister of Sports Affairs, will attend the opening ceremony along with Shaikh Khalid al Zubair, OOC chairman and head of the Sultanate delegation. Al Zubair will participate in the Annual General Meeting (AGM) for Asian Olympic Council on August 19 while Taha al Kishry, the general Secretary of OOC, will take part at the Athletes Committee meeting on August 17.
“All the travel preparations for the national teams are done. There were coordination between the OOC and the national associations to select the right and ready teams for the competitions according to their technical reports. We hope that our national teams achieve the desired results,” Taha al Kishry said.
OOC named the approved sports that will represent the Sultanate at the Asian Games with the number of athletes in brackets: Athletics (11), shooting (8), swimming (2), sailing (2), weightlifting (1), hockey (18), tennis (2) and beach volleyball (4).
Adil Al Balushi
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