Oman’s national youth golf team is set to compete in the Arab Golf Championship, scheduled from October 6 to 11 in Egypt. The tournament will be held across two venues, Madinaty and Mirage City golf courses, and will include various age categories alongside girls’ competitions.
The Omani delegation comprises seven players who aim to gain valuable regional experience while striving for top honors. Faiz Mohammed Riaz, Vice-Chairman of the Oman Golf Association (OGA), emphasized the team’s thorough preparation, which has focused on technical skills, physical fitness, mental readiness, accuracy, and course management. He expressed confidence that the squad would represent Oman admirably.
“Young players are the future of Omani golf,” Riaz said, highlighting the significance of competitive exposure, discipline, concentration, and sportsmanship in their growth.
Ahmed al Jahdhami, OGA Secretary-General and National Teams Director, described the squad as a blend of experience, talent, and determination, despite some absences caused by academic commitments. Among the contenders are Ahmed bin Khalil al Wahaibi and Adam bin Masoud al Barwani, both of whom have prior experience in Gulf championships and have earned accolades in age-group events. Yousuf bin Azzan al Rumhi and Taimur bin Ghalib al Busaidy contributed to securing a team bronze at the 2023 Riaz tournament, while Ibrahim Fayez Mohammed Riyadh has previously taken part in Arab championships. The final members of the team are Mohammed bin Suhail al Junaidi and Ilyas bin Oudi al Junaidi.
The delegation will be led by Faiz Riaz, with Al Jahdhami serving as delegation manager. The coaching staff includes head coach Jonathan, supported by Fahad al Kitani. The team will be accommodated at the Mirage City hotel during the event.
Arrival of teams is scheduled for October 6, followed by practice sessions, a technical meeting, and the opening ceremony on October 7. Competitions for the under-14 category will take place on October 8 and 9, with other age groups continuing matches until October 10. The event will conclude with a closing ceremony and prize presentation, and participants are expected to depart on October 11.
In conjunction with the championship, a Gulf Golf Federation meeting will be held, chaired by retired Major General Abdullah al Hashmi. The gathering aims to strengthen regional cooperation through discussions on joint training camps, expertise sharing, and other collaborative initiatives.
Both Riaz and Al Jahdhami acknowledged the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for its continued support in fostering the development of Omani players and facilitating international competition opportunities.
Reflecting on his recent participation in the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, Ahmed bin Khalil al Wahaibi noted that logistical challenges, including a long journey and delayed arrival of his equipment, affected his preparations. Nonetheless, competing against golfers with international experience helped him enhance his concentration, adaptability, and understanding of high-level competition.