Oman win 5 medals at Arab Athletics in Algeria
Muscat, May 5
The Oman national athletics team delivered an outstanding performance at the 24th Arab Senior Athletics Championship, held in Oran, Algeria, from April 30 to May 4. The team clinched a total of five medals, three silver and two bronze. The event brought together some of the top Arab athletes in the region.
Sprinter Ali bin Anwar al Balushi emerged as one of the standout stars of the delegation, winning two silver medals in the 100 metres (10.21 seconds) and 200 metres, clocking a new personal best of 20.7 seconds. Fellow Omani runner Mulhim bin Darwish al Balushi also made his mark by winning a bronze medal in the 100 metres with a time of 10.36 seconds.
In the men's high jump, Fatik bin Abdulghafoor Sanjour secured a silver with a leap of 2.14 metres, tying with his Qatari counterpart but claiming second place due to more failed attempts. Meanwhile, Alya bint Faiq al Mughairiyah earned a bronze medal in the women's high jump, clearing 1.71 metres, underscoring the growing presence and performance of Omani women in athletics.
The national team delegation included a group of athletes who participated in various races and competitions. The athletes were Ali bin Anwar al Balushi, Mulhim bin Darwish al Balushi, Mohammed al Suleimani, Fatik Sanjour, Salim al Rawahi and Alya al Mughairi. The team was headed by Ahmed al Dhuhouri, accompanied by team administrator Abdullah al Jabri, physiotherapist Krassimir Petrov, and coach Saeed al Rashdi.
BOOSTING CONFIDENCE
In a statement, delegation head Ahmed al Dhuhouri emphasised the championship's importance as a key step in the national team's preparation journey. He noted that direct competition with elite Arab athletes greatly contributed to improving the players' skills and boosting their confidence.
From a technical standpoint, Al Dhuhouri remarked that the championship witnessed very high levels of competition, both in terms of performance and tactical execution, providing a challenging environment that helped refine the athletes' abilities and test their readiness under pressure. He praised the athletes' performance, highlighting the five medals won as a reflection of the serious preparation and high-quality training programmes the team underwent.
He also commended the excellent organisation of the event and the warm hospitality extended to the Omani delegation by the organising committee and the Algerian people, saying it created an ideal atmosphere for athletic competition and knowledge exchange.
Al Dhuhouri concluded by lauding the achievements as a strong motivation for upcoming events and a clear indication that Omani athletes are capable of excelling at regional and international levels, provided they are given the right support and environment.
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