logo
Al Faisal to tackle GT World Challenge twin challenges

Al Faisal to tackle GT World Challenge twin challenges

Observer24-03-2025

MUSCAT: Al Manar Racing by Team WRT's Al Faisal al Zubair has announced that he will tackle both the 2025 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance and Sprint Cups this season.
At an exclusive press reception and announcement at the Kempinski Hotel in Muscat on Sunday evening, the Omani confirmed that Al Manar Racing's association with Team WRT will stretch to the 10-race programme and he will team up with Jens Klingmann and Ben Tuck this season.
The evening was held under the auspices of HH Sayyid Kamil bin Fahd bin Mahmoud al Said, the Secretary-General of the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers.
Al Manar Racing by Team WRT's Al Faisal al Zubair will team up with Jens Klingmann and Ben Tuck this season.
Al Zubair said: 'I am excited to announce my programme for 2025. Al Manar Racing by Team WRT will be participating in the BMW M4 GT3 Evo for the full season of GT World Challenge Europe. The championship will consist of 10 rounds for both the Endurance and Sprint championships.
'I'll be teaming up with Jens Klingmann and Ben Tuck for this season's Gold Cup title assault and can't wait to get it all started at Paul Ricard next month.'
The new chapter in Al Zubair's career and the association with Team WRT kicked off in spectacular fashion with a stunning victory at the Dubai 24hr race with Dan Harper, Max Hesse, Ben Tuck and Darren Leung in January. Al Zubair became the first Omani driver ever to claim the overall win in the gruelling race at the Dubai Autodrome.
Last year, he enjoyed a valuable season competing under the Al Manar Racing banner and won the Gold Cup category and finished second overall at the prestigious Crowdstrike 24hr of Spa in Belgium.
Al Manar Racing by Team WRT's Al Faisal al Zubair will team up with Jens Klingmann and Ben Tuck this season.
British team-mate Tuck drove a Ferrari for Kessel Racing in last year's GT World Challenge Europe's Endurance Cup and is a full-time endurance driver and performance coach.
German racer Klingmann, 34, is a long-time BMW factory driver, who led Team WRT to a memorable win at Monza in September 2024.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Dhuri: cricket journey across continents
Dhuri: cricket journey across continents

Observer

time9 hours ago

  • Observer

Dhuri: cricket journey across continents

MUSCAT: Sandesh Dhuri's cricketing journey spans decades, continents, and generations of aspiring athletes. From a First-Class cricketer in India to a pioneering coach in Oman and now a youth development leader in the United States, Dhuri's legacy continues to inspire. Born in Goa, India, Dhuri represented his home state in the prestigious Ranji Trophy between 1993 and 1998. A right-handed batsman and wicketkeeper, he also featured in the South Zone squad for the Duleep and Deodhar Trophies in 1997, playing under legends like WV Raman and Robin Singh. In 1998, Dhuri moved to Oman, contributing to the Omani cricketing family. His playing career culminated with a national team tour to Malaysia in 2006 under coach Sandeep Patil. Transitioning to coaching, Dhuri became an Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Level 3 coach and an ICC-certified trainer. He played a key role as an ACC educator in Oman, training future coaches and players alike. In 2023, he was appointed Elite Coach of the Oman A team and led a U19 high-performance camp under Gary Kirsten. Dhuri was also Head Coach at the Bausher Olympic Centre (BOC) in Muscat, where he developed world-class cricket facilities and led community outreach programmes. His leadership turned BOC into a hub for youth development, managing 10 pitches across Muscat and organizing international tours to the UK, India, UAE, Sri Lanka, Australia, and the USA. A landmark came in 2023 when a U17 team under Bausher Sports Centre toured the USA—marking the first cricket tour from the Gulf to the United States. This milestone reflected Dhuri's vision for exposing youth to global competition. In 2024, Dhuri moved to Texas, USA, where he took over as Head Coach of Texas Cricket Club (TCC). Under his guidance, TCC won the U17 International Tour Tournament and the US Junior League Championship. He also helped develop infrastructure at Dallas Sports Center, including turf grounds and pitches. Beyond coaching, Dhuri actively promotes cricket at the grassroots level, organizing youth tournaments, school workshops, and serving on regional selection panels. His efforts continue to shape young cricketers both on and off the field.

Al Sabhi's late penalty sends Oman to World Cup play-off
Al Sabhi's late penalty sends Oman to World Cup play-off

Observer

time9 hours ago

  • Observer

Al Sabhi's late penalty sends Oman to World Cup play-off

Muscat: Oman kept their 2026 FIFA World Cup dream alive after a dramatic 1-1 draw against Palestine on Monday evening, securing their place in the upcoming playoff round. The Group B qualifier, filled with intensity and tension, saw Palestine take the lead in the 49th minute through Oday Kharoub. The midfielder capitalized on a defensive lapse, curling a low shot past the Omani keeper to ignite celebrations in the Palestinian camp. Despite the setback and playing the final 20 minutes with 10 men following a red card to midfielder Harib al Saadi in the 73rd minute, Oman held their nerve. Their persistence paid off deep into stoppage time when striker Issam al Sabhi was brought down inside the penalty box. Al Sabhi, stepped up and confidently buried the spot kick in the 90+7th minute — a goal that not only levelled the score but also booked Oman's ticket to the playoff stage. Oman dominated the match in terms of possession (60%) and completed 463 passes with 82% accuracy. While Palestine registered more total shots (13 to Oman's 10), the Omani defense proved more efficient, with 12 successful tackles and fewer fouls committed (4). Statistically, the draw reflected Oman's disciplined strategy and tactical patience. Substitutions made late in the game — including the introductions of midfielders Ahmed Fawaz and Zahir al Aghbari — brought renewed energy to a side under pressure. This result places Oman fourth in Group B with 11 points, narrowly ahead of Palestine who finish on fifth. South Korea and Jordan claimed the top two spots to secure automatic qualification. Oman's next challenge lies in a decisive playoff fixture that could send them to the World Cup for the first time since 2022 qualification efforts fell short.

Oman set for crucial Palestine test in 2026 World Cup qualifiers
Oman set for crucial Palestine test in 2026 World Cup qualifiers

Muscat Daily

time2 days ago

  • Muscat Daily

Oman set for crucial Palestine test in 2026 World Cup qualifiers

Amman, Jordan – Oman will face Palestine on Tuesday in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifier, with a place in the next round at stake. The match will kick off at 10:15 pm Oman time at the King Abdullah Stadium in Amman, Jordan. A draw or a win will be enough for Oman to advance to the Asian play-offs for the tournament, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Speaking at a press conference in Amman, head coach Rashid Jaber said his team was focused on securing three points. 'We are playing against a team with good players, and our goal is to collect the three points that will qualify us to participate in the Asian play-offs for the 2026 World Cup,' he said. 'The match is important and requires effort.' Oman defeated Palestine 1-0 in the first leg held at the Sultan Qaboos Complex in Bausher during the fifth round of Group Two matches in the third stage of Asian qualifying. A large contingent of Omani supporters is expected to arrive in Jordan on Tuesday to back the national team. Meanwhile, Australia take on Saudi Arabia in Jeddah with automatic qualification for next year's World Cup finals on the line. Tony Popovic's outfit go into the meeting at the King Abdullah Sports City with one foot on the plane to North America after a 1-0 win over Japan on Thursday brought the Socceroos breathing room in their quest for a place at the finals. Australia hold a three-point lead over Herve Renard's side and a large enough goal difference to leave the Saudis needing to win by five goals to climb into second and claim the last automatic berth from the current phase of Asian preliminaries. Japan have already secured top spot in Group C while Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea and Jordan have taken the other berths available to Asian nations at the expanded World Cup from the third phase of qualifying. A further two spots will be up for grabs from a fourth round of qualifiers to be played in October. Anything other than a significant win over the Australians would see Saudi Arabia finish third in Group C and enter that next phase, where they would join the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iraq and Indonesia.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store