Latest news with #HisMajesty'sCup
Times of Oman
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Times of Oman
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.
Times of Oman
05-04-2025
- Automotive
- Times of Oman
His Majesty's Camel Racing Cup Festival to kick off tomorrow
Muscat: The highly anticipated His Majesty's Camel Racing Cup Festival 2025 will kick off at the Al-Fulaij racetrack in Wilayat Barka, South Al Batinah Governorate on Sunday. Organised by the Royal Court Affairs, represented by the Royal Camel Corps, the festival will see extensive participation from camel owners and trainers from across Oman, with around 1,650 camels competing in the event. The tournament will feature 77 races over five days, offering 27 cars, 21 trophies, and additional cash prizes to winners across different categories. Race Schedule: Day One: 32 races for the 'Haijaaj' category (4 km), including 23 races in morning and 9 races in evening. Day Two: 20 races for the Liqaya category (5 km), with 14 races in morning and 6 races in evening. Day Three: 9 races for the Jid'a category (6 km) and 3 races for human riders competing in the Thaniya and Hul categories (2 km). Day Four: 7 races, including 3 for Thaniya (8 km) and 4 for Hul (8 km). The final day will feature 6 races, each having prestigious prizes: 1. Haijaaj (4 km) – Winner will receive a trophy and a car. 2. Liqaya (5 km) – Winner will receive a trophy and a car . 3. Jid'a (6 km) – Winner will receive a trophy and a car. 4. Thaniya (8 km) – Winner will receive a trophy and a car. 5. Hul (8 km - main race)– Winner will receive His Majesty's Cup and a car . 6. Human Rider Hul (2 km) – Winner will receive a car . The festival reaffirms His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik's ongoing support for camel racing, a sport cherished by owners and trainers as a deeply rooted part of Omani heritage. The Royal Court Affairs has finalised all administrative and technical preparations, ensuring a grand event that honours tradition and excellence. Camel owners and trainers eagerly await the tournament, with the prestigious His Majesty's Cup marking the pinnacle of the season.
Observer
08-03-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Rustaq & Sohar win, Al Nahda settle for a draw in OPL
MUSCAT: Al Nahda and Sur played to a 1-1 draw on Friday in a match held at Al Buraimi Sports Complex as part of Round 16 of the Oman Professional League (OPL). Al Nahda dominated the game from the start, relying on offensive pressure through the wings and midfield. However, they faced a well-organised Sur defence, which opted for counterattacks. One of these counterattacks resulted in the opening goal in the 20th minute when Yusef al Ghailani fired a powerful shot that hit the crossbar before finding the net. In the second half, Al Nahda intensified their attacks and were awarded a penalty in the 62nd minute, which Billel Bensaha successfully converted to equalise. Al Nahda pushed for a winning goal, especially after Sur's Yahya al Hudhaifi was sent off in the 80th minute, but they failed to capitalise on their chances and the match ended in a 1-1 draw. With this result, Al Nahda raised their tally to 36 points, trailing league leaders Al Seeb by two points, while Sur remained at the bottom of the table with 10 points. Al Rustaq Secures Important 2-1 Victory Over Al Nasr Al Rustaq earned a crucial 2-1 win against Al Nasr in a match held at Al Rustaq Sports Complex. Al Nasr took the lead first through Marwan Taib, who converted a penalty in the 37th minute. However, Al Rustaq quickly responded, with Ahmed al Adawi scoring an equaliser with a header in the 43rd minute, ending the first half at 1-1. In the second half, both teams exchanged attacks, with Al Rustaq coming close to scoring when Ernest's shot struck the post in the 64th minute. The decisive moment came in the 87th minute when Luqman al Jadidi scored the winning goal with a powerful strike from outside the box. From the match between Al Nahda and Sur With this victory, Al Rustaq climbed to 17 points, placing ninth in the standings, while Al Nasr remained in fifth place with 20 points. Sohar Claims Vital 2-1 Win Over Al Shabab Sohar secured a valuable 2-1 victory against Al Shabab in a match held at Sohar Sports Complex. Sohar started strongly, controlling possession and took the lead in the 26th minute through their foreign player Prince Claude. He capitalised on a cross from Ahmed Mal Allah amid defensive confusion and slotted the ball past Al Shabab's goalkeeper Abdulmalik al Badri. In the 78th minute, Mohsen Johar doubled Sohar's lead with a brilliant finish after a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper. Al Shabab managed to pull one back in the 94th minute through their professional player Emerson Golo, who headed a cross into the net, deceiving Sohar's goalkeeper Majdi al Ajmi. With this win, Sohar reached 16 points but remained in 11th place, the first relegation spot, after Rustaq's victory over Al Nasr pushed them to 17 points. Meanwhile, Al Shabab, who recently won the His Majesty's Cup title, stayed at 17 points, sitting in eighth place ahead of Rustaq and Saham only on goal difference. Oman and Ibri Play to a Goalless Draw Oman and Ibri shared the points in a goalless draw at Seeb Stadium. With this result, Oman raised their tally to 29 points, maintaining third place in the standings, while Ibri reached 19 points, placing sixth.
Daily Tribune
05-03-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain prepares for historic King's Cup horse racing festival
Preparations are in full swing at the Rashid Equestrian and Horse Racing Club for the 2025 His Majesty the King's Cup Horse Racing Festival, set to take place on March 6-7 at the Al Raffa racecourse. This year's edition marks a significant milestone, introducing a new level of competition and excitement by attracting top-tier horses from Bahrain and beyond. Notably, it will be the first time in Bahrain's history that horse races are held during the nights of the holy month of Ramadan. The festival will feature 16 races over two days, including His Majesty's Cup for imported, local, and Arabian horses. Among the contenders is Phantom Flight of Victorious Stable, aiming for a season double after winning the Crown Prince Cup. He will face strong competition from Zagato of Mohammedia Stable, a former winner in 2022, and Sovereign Spirit of Al Affo Stable, who finished second in the Crown Prince Cup. International participation includes UAE's Godolphin Stables, fielding King of Conquest in pursuit of a second King's Cup title after Warren Point's previous triumph. Meanwhile, Ireland's Snellin will also compete. The festival will conclude the Bahrain International Horse Racing Championship, now in its fourth year, with top-performing horses from previous rounds vying for final honors. Free tickets will be available to fans via the Bahrainturfclub. com website, and the event will feature public prize draws and a best-dressed competition, adding a festive atmosphere to Bahrain's premier horse racing event.
Observer
18-02-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Seeb, Al Shabab in intense preparation for HM Cup final
MUSCAT: Al Shabab, who are seeking for their historic maiden title, and four-time winners Seeb are undergoing intensive warming-up sessions for the title showdown of the His Majesty's Cup football championship which is scheduled on Thursday at Ibra Sports Complex. The match will kick off at 7 pm. Al Shabab began their final warm-up sessions at their home ground in Barka, with the presence of several officials from the wilayats of Barka and Wadi Al Maawil. The team travelled to Ibra on Tuesday, two days ahead of the final, to complete their last preparations. The Al Batinah South-based side is eager to end their season on a high note. Seeb players attend a training session. Head coach Hassan Rustam sees this as a golden opportunity for his team, knowing they are just one step away from a historic triumph. The squad is expected to put in a determined effort to achieve their dream title. Seeb Club began their final preparations on Monday, gearing up for the decisive match against Al Shabab. Serbian head coach Nikola Djurovic is focused on ending his team's journey in the tournament with success. The Muscat-based team conducted their last training sessions at their headquarters in Al Khoudh, focusing on both physical conditioning and tactical strategies. A final session will take place at Ibra Sports Complex before the highly anticipated clash. Al Shabab players during training. The Oman Football Association (OFA) announced the seating allocation for the final. Both Seeb and Al Shabab fans will be allocated 40 per cent each of the stadium's capacity, while 20 per cent of the seats are reserved for spectators from Al Sharqiyah North Governorate. To enhance the matchday experience, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, OFA and the Al Sharqiyah North Governorate office have organised an entertainment zone in Ibra. The fan city included different corners including: Trophy corner, Youth space, E-Games section, Photography zone, Kids' area and Heritage musical performances. Another event was the Trophy Tour which began on Friday in the Wilayat Al Qabil and will conclude on matchday in Ibra. On Sunday, the trophy reached Al Mudhaibi, where it was warmly welcomed, followed by a stop in Sinaw on Monday. The tour has sparked excitement among fans, adding to the anticipation of the final.
