Seeb crowned champions
MUSCAT: Seeb Club sealed their dominance in the 2024–25 Omantel Professional League (OPL) by clinching the title with a match to spare, following a gritty 1-0 victory over 10-man Al Rustaq on Saturday night at the Al Rustaq Sports Complex.
Coached by Serbia's Nikola Djurovic, the win handed Seeb their fourth top-flight domestic crown and confirmed their status as Oman's premier football force this season.
The decisive moment for Seeb came in the 35th minute when Liberian striker Abu Kamara rose highest to head home from a corner, sealing all three points for the Muscat-based club.
Al Rustaq's hopes were dented further when goalkeeper Islam Al Hinai was sent off just before halftime. Despite a spirited effort with ten men, Rustaq could not find an equaliser.
The victory pushed Seeb six points clear of nearest rivals Al Nahda with just one round remaining, rendering the final day of action academic in the title race.
Seeb will now host Al Nasr at the Seeb Sports Stadium on May 8 in what promises to be a celebratory home fixture capped with the official title presentation in front of their fans.
A season of character and class
Seeb's championship campaign was defined by consistency and resilience. The Yellow and Green Brigade racked up 16 wins from 21 matches, with just three defeats and two draws. Two of those losses came in back-to-back games last month against Sohar and Oman Club, raising alarm bells among their supporters.
However, the team bounced back in emphatic fashion to retain the title.
The league triumph was especially sweet for Seeb after the heartbreak of losing the His Majesty's Cup final to Al Shabab in February. That setback became a rallying point, with the team regrouping to mount an unshakable title charge.
Saturday's triumph marks Seeb's fourth Omantel League title, adding to previous wins in 2019–20, 2021–22, and 2023–24.
With four crowns, Seeb are now on par with Al Nahda, Al Arouba, and Al Suwaiq in terms of title count, still trailing traditional powerhouses Dhofar (12 titles) and Fanja (9).
Battle for top-four
While Seeb and Al Nahda (44 points) have locked up first and second place respectively, Oman Club (39) are secure in third. The battle for the fourth spot remains fierce between Al Shabab and Al Khabourah (28 points each), Al Nasr (27), Saham (26), and Bahla (25).
At the other end of the table, Sur's 3-3 draw against Al Shabab sealed their relegation on Saturday, as they sit bottom with 18 points and no mathematical route to safety.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Al Khabourah defeated Al Nasr 2-1. Amir Alaa and Zakaria Al Qartubi struck in quick succession in the second half to secure a vital win for Al Khabourah. Marwan Taib pulled one back from the spot, but Al Nasr's search for an equaliser fell short.
Also, goals from Baba Tunde (penalty) and Marwan Al Ghafri gave Saham a well-deserved 2-0 victory over Sohar. And in a thriller that sealed their fate, Sur failed to hold on to a lead despite goals from Mana Sbeit, Mohammed Al Najashi, and Abdullah Al Mashaikhi. A hat-trick from Al Shabab's Mohammed Al Ghafri denied Sur the win, ensuring their relegation.
A goalless draw ensured Al Nahda's second-place finish and kept Bahla in contention for a top-five finish.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times of Oman
3 days ago
- Times of Oman
First fully indoor, multi-range shooting complex opens
Muscat: A state-of-the-art indoor shooting complex — touted as the first-of-its kind not just in Oman but across the wider region —has officially opened its doors in Muscat, ushering in a new era for recreational and professional marksmanship in the Sultanate. Named Action Point, the facility offers a rare and highly specialised combination of 25-metre, 50-metre, and 100-metre shooting ranges along with a fully indoor shotgun skeet and trap range — an extraordinary setup made even more remarkable by the fact that all ranges are fully air-conditioned and housed under one roof. This unique private complex is located at the Active Oman Centre (Oman Automobile Association) and promises to cater to first-time shooters, seasoned enthusiasts, and tactical professionals in an environment that is immersive, safe and technologically advanced. The facility was inaugurated recently under the patronage of His Highness Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports, and Youth. Developed and delivered by the Special Projects Division of Khimji Ramdas (KR) in partnership with Cubic Technologies Singapore PTE LTD — a global name in advanced defence training systems —Action Point marks a significant milestone for shooting sports and security training infrastructure in Oman. 'This is more than just a facility — it's an experience that combines adrenaline, precision, and professionalism,' said Col (Retd) Nasser bin Ali Al Amri, General Manager of Action Point. 'Through our collaboration with Khimji Ramdas and Cubic Defence, we've brought international-level shooting disciplines to Oman with the highest standards of safety and supervision. Our aim is to nurture responsible firearms sportsmanship and create an atmosphere where people feel both inspired and secure.' The sprawling complex includes two 25-metre pistol ranges equipped with retrievable targets for 9mm handguns, two 50-metre tactical ranges featuring advanced Location of Miss and Hit (LOMAH) systems, and a 100-metre rifle range tailored for 5.56mm calibre firearms. But what truly elevates Action Point to a class of its own is its fully indoor shotgun skeet and trap range — an exceedingly rare feature even by global standards. An air gun range is also under development, further expanding the facility's appeal to a broad spectrum of users. In terms of technology, each range is equipped with smart bullet traps that safely direct fired projectiles into specialised collection channels. Complementing these are electronic target systems that offer real-time feedback, enabling more accurate assessment and training. A specially engineered air purification system ensures that dust and gases generated during live firing are swiftly removed, maintaining a safe and clean indoor environment. The facility has been thoughtfully designed to cater to a diverse clientele. From beginners trying their hand at shooting for the first time to competitive marksmen training for international tournaments, Action Point offers tailored packages and supervised sessions. It also supports the tactical training needs of private security personnel and government agencies, ensuring wide-ranging utility. Every visitor is given a thorough safety briefing upon arrival and is continuously supervised by qualified instructors, reflecting the facility's unwavering focus on professionalism and best practices. Omani talent has been a central part of the project's success. In coordination with the Ministry of Labour, Action Point recruited and trained Omani jobseekers — men and women alike — who underwent intensive instruction from global experts. This localisation strategy has not only created jobs but also developed a skilled cadre of personnel capable of managing and operating a high-spec, internationally aligned shooting facility. Speaking at a recent media tour of the facilities, Varun Pankaj Khimji, Director of Khimji Ramdas LLC, said, 'We are proud to support Action Point's mission of enhancing responsible firearms sporting in the region. This project reflects our commitment to delivering turnkey, high-performance solutions that support national training infrastructure and innovation. The facility is another example of the vision and capability of our Special Projects Division.' Rajneesh Armugham, General Manager – Special Projects at Khimji Ramdas, said: 'We are proud to have delivered this sophisticated training facility that not only meets international safety and operational standards but also showcases our division's capability in managing complex, defence-aligned infrastructure projects. Our collaboration with Cubic Defence has brought cutting-edge technology into Oman, and we're confident Action Point will become a go-to destination for hobbyists, competition shooters, and private security agencies alike.' The KR Special Projects Division will also continue to support the facility over the next two years through a comprehensive technical support and maintenance contract, ensuring operational continuity and sustained quality through a dedicated in-house team. Open to individuals aged 16 and above, Action Point welcomes private enthusiasts, corporate teams, educational institutions, and government organisations with tailored offerings. The facility is expected to host regional tournaments in the near future, positioning Oman as a hub for competitive shooting and sport. With its exceptional mix of features, world-class equipment, and climate-controlled indoor design, Action Point is not just a first for Oman — it's a regional trailblazer in modern recreational shooting. The facility is open daily from 8:00am to 10:00pm, Sunday to Saturday.
Times of Oman
3 days ago
- Times of Oman
Oman Cricket Celebrates Youth Talent at Junior 2nd Tournament Prize Distribution
Muscat – Oman Cricket proudly hosted the Junior 2nd Tournament – a series of tournaments hosted following an excellent rollout of the first edition, a vibrant celebration of emerging cricketing talent across the Sultanate. Spanning four competitive age categories — Under-11, Under-13, Under-16 (Schools & Academies) supported by Mazoon Dairy, and Under-19 supported by Majees Technical Services LLC — the tournament highlighted the growing strength of grassroots cricket in Oman. With exceptional performances and a strong show of exciting growing young talent, the tournament concluded with a formal prize distribution ceremony on Saturday to honor both team achievements and standout individual efforts. Under-11 • Champions: Indian School Muscat U11 A • Best Batter: Ashbel Burboz – Indian School Wadi Kabir U11 • Best Bowler: Aarav Keskar – Indian School Muscat U11 A Under-13 • Champions: Indian School Muscat U13 A • Best Batter: Swastik Kale – Indian School Muscat U13 A • Best Bowler: Yohan Sriram – Indian School Muscat U13 A • Consolation (Batting Performance): Aarav Saraiya – Indian School Wadi Kabir International U13 Under-16 – Schools Category • Champions: Indian School Muscat U16 B • Best Batter: Vihaan Chauhan – Indian School Muscat U16 B • Best Bowler: Atharv Kalu – Indian School Al Seeb U16 • Consolation (Batting Performance): Guransh Singh – Indian School Buraimi U16 • Consolation (Bowling Performance): Ayush Shetty – Indian School Wadi Kabir U16 Under-16 – Academies Category • Champions: BSC Braveheart U16 • Best Batter: Vivaan Malhotra – BSC Braveheart U16 • Best Bowler: Oomkar Murthy – BSC Braveheart U16 • Consolation (Bowling Performance): Arsh Javed – BSC Braveheart U16 Under-19 – T20 League • Champions: Oman Cricket Academy U19 • Best Batter: Jeet Shah – Indian School Muscat U19 • Best Bowler: Arshad Farshad – Oman Cricket Academy U19 • Consolation (Batting Performance): Rishab Gupta – Indian School Wadi Kabir U19 The Junior 2nd Tournament underscores Oman Cricket's ongoing commitment to developing the game from the grassroots level and providing structured platforms for youth development. 'We are proud of the dedication and discipline shown by these young athletes. Tournaments like this are essential to building a strong future for Oman cricket,' said Alkesh Joshi, Treasurer – Oman Cricket who supported Chief Guest, H.E. Pankaj Khimji, Chairman – Oman Cricket and Guest of Honor, Ms. Nadia Hamzi, Marketing Director, Mazoon Dairy SAOG for the prize distribution. Special thanks go out to all participating schools, academies, coaches, parents and our partners and stakeholders for their invaluable support.
Times of Oman
3 days ago
- Times of Oman
Oman Sail and bp Oman launch second edition of SailFree programme
Muscat: Oman Sail in partnership with bp Oman have launched the second edition of SailFree, the region's first para sailing programme designed to empower people with disabilities through the sport of sailing. The programme will be delivered in three phases to support 100 young people with disabilities at Oman Sail's Mussanah Sailing School and Al Mouj Sailing School, with 20 advancing to form the 15-18 national youth sailing team. Khamis Al Anbouri, Oman Sail's Acting Commercial Director, said, 'We are very pleased to renew SailFree for a second edition and provide more opportunities for young people with disabilities. The programme has proven that sailing can have a long-term positive impact on the lives of people with disabilities and unlock valuable life skills through learning, teamwork and participation. We are looking forward to introducing 100 young people to the sport and showing that sailing is a sport for all.' Ibrahim Al Hinai, Social investment manager at bp Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar, commented: 'The achievements of the SailFree programme is remarkable, whereby the first edition of this programme, launched in 2019, benefitted 110 people with disabilities and formed the first parasailing national team consisting of 25 exceptional members that competed in approximately 10 international and local competitions representing Oman. We are incredibly proud to continue investing in the community by supporting such a valuable initiative.' SailFree has provided the framework for people with no prior sailing experience to learn, develop and compete internationally and the SailFree team is currently in training ahead of regattas at home and abroad. Beginning with the UK Hansa Class Championship from 13-15 June in Weymouth, UK, then returning to Oman for the Oman Sailing Championship from 17-21 August and Mussanah Race Week from 16-22 October.
