Sports Ministry honours top athletes of 2024
MUSCAT, APRIL 21
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth felicitated more than 450 athletes, coaches, and administrative staff for their great efforts in various sporting disciplines for the previous year.
The Omani athletes won a total of 309 medals across various Gulf, regional and international championships and the ceremony took place at the Sheraton Hotel on Monday under the auspices of Dr Madeeha bint Ahmed al Shaibaniyah, Minister of Education, in the presence of officials, dignitaries and representatives of all sports national teams. The annual awards ceremony is part of the ministry's effort towards encouraging athletes to strive for more success and achievements in future competitions.
This year's edition recorded the honouring of more than 450 athletes representing 12 sports associations and 15 committees and covered more than 28 national teams. Oman paddler pair Talya al Rawahi and Salma al Nasri were honoured following their bronze medal in table tennis doubles event in the GCC Youth Games in UAE last April.
The awards night was held under the auspices of Dr Madiha Ahmed al Shaibaniyah, Minister of Education.
'I am happy to attend this event for the first time and to receive an award as a recognition for my last achievement. This will motivate me to deliver more and accomplish more achievement in the forthcoming events. I will work hard to raise my country's flag high in the upcoming events,' Salma said.
Oman Soca football team was among the top sporting teams honoured during the event besides national hockey team, paralympic team, bodybuilding team, athletics team, shooting team, university sports team and along with several individual athletes who won medals in different tournaments.
Hisham bin Juma al Sinani, Director-General of Sports Welfare and Development at the ministry, delivered a speech praising the athletes' accomplishments and the continuous support from the ministry. 'Last year, our national athletes managed to earn 309 medals and this is a result of dedicated efforts by sports associations, committees, and technical teams with the support of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and the guidance of HH Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth. Later, Dr Madeeha bint Ahmed al Shaibaniyah, Minister of Education, accompanied by Basil bin Ahmed al Rawas, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Sports and Youth, presented the awards. The honouring list featured the national football team which won second place at the first Gulf Youth Games in UAE. Oman Soca team claimed the title in the Soca World Championship hosted in Oman in November last year. Taqa Club Soca team managed to earn the top place in the Gulf Soca Championship in last September. Oman national hockey team claimed third place in the Hockey5s World Cup hosted early last year.
This year's edition recorded honouring of more than 450 athletes representing 12 sports associations and 15 committees and covered more than 28 national teams.
ATHLETICS TEAM
The athletics team was honoured for multiple achievements including Arab U-23 Championship in Egypt (July 6–9, 2024), The first Gulf Youth Games in the UAE (April 15–21, 2024), The Asian Indoor Championships in Iran (Feb 15–20, 2024), The West Asian Championship in Iraq (May 29 – June 1, 2024).
Oman basketball team bagged bronze medal at the Gulf Youth Championship in March last year in Muscat. Beach volleyball team A took first place at the 30th Arab Beach Volleyball Championship in Tunisia in September while Beach volleyball teams A & B claimed first and second spots at the West Asian Championship in Jordan last May.
The cycling teams were recognised for the Gulf Youth Games (April 22–30, 2024) and the Green Mountain Mountain Biking Race in Oman (August 23, 2024).
The shooting teams were honoured for participation in the Asian Rifle and Air Gun Championship in Jakarta, Indonesia (January 4–16, 2024), the Arab Shotgun Championship in Kuwait (November 9–16, 2024) and the seventh Arab Women's Clubs Games in Sharjah (February 1 – December 7, 2023).
The water sports teams were feted for their performances following their achievements in the Gulf Youth Games in Abu Dhabi (May 28–31, 2024) and the second and third Arab Junior Championships in Qatar and Egypt.
The weightlifting and bodybuilding teams were honoured for their results in the Asian Weightlifting Championship in Uzbekistan (January 31 – February 11, 2024), the Arab Weightlifting Championship in Qatar (December 26–30, 2024), World and Arab Bodybuilding Championships in Iran, Bahrain and Oman.
Others in the list included billiards and snooker teams, for participation in Arab and Gulf youth events. University sports teams delivered an outstanding show as they got first and third in football and beach volleyball at Arab and Asian competitions. Oman bowling team was feted for performance in the 54th Singapore International Open (June 1–9, 2024). The paralympic team made achievements in Asia and West Asia cycling and youth championships.
The Omani athletes won a total of 309 medals across various Gulf, regional and international championships.
The Oman fencing team earned honours for participating in the Asian Cadet Championship in Hong Kong (August 22–25, 2024), the Asian League Championships in UAE and Uzbekistan, the Arab Women's Clubs Games and Arab Championships in Bahrain, the West Asian Championship in Jordan (August 29 – September 2, 2024) and Gulf Youth Games in the UAE (April 26 – May 1, 2024).
The karate team won medals at the West Asian Championship in Sharjah while Deaf futsal team won first place at the Gulf Friendship Championship in Bahrain (December 21–26, 2024). Oman Squash team grabbed third spot in West Asia Squash Championship in Iraq (October 29 – November 3, 2024). The national golf team claimed second place in various GCC tournaments for U13, U16, and U18 categories. Table tennis and school sports teams made an impression in Gulf and international school events. The skating team won second and third places in ice hockey championships in UAE.
The marine sports team made achievements in the fifth Freediving World Championship (October 2–10, 2024, Greece), AIDA Freediving Pool Championship in Lithuania (June 24–28, 2024), Arab sailing events in Bahrain and Kuwait and Youth sailing competitions in the UAE (April 16–21, 2024).
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