3 days ago
JR Style crowned champions at 'Phygital' Cup
Muscat, Aug 15
The Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre hosted the second edition of the 'Phygital' football championship from August 10 to 14, blending the mental thrill of electronic gaming with the physical excitement of real-world matches. This innovative experience showcased the harmony between the digital and physical worlds.
Organised by the Oman Committee for E-Sports as part of the 'Sport Park' activities, the event featured eight teams with over 50 players, presenting a unique model of dual competition that combines advanced technical skills with on-field athletic performance, adding a new dimension to sports and entertainment.
The closing ceremony was held under the auspices of Dr Amer bin Nasser al Matani, CEO of Oman LNG's Development Foundation, who stated in his speech that the championship represents a qualitative leap in Omani sports, praising the organisers for providing a professional environment and high-quality facilities. He emphasised that these efforts contributed to the event's success and the emergence of promising young talents capable of competing regionally and internationally.
Fearless team claimed second spot.
The final matches crowned JR Style as the champions after an intense clash with Fearless. The digital stage ended with Fearless winning 3–2, but JR Style turned the tide in the physical stage with a 2–0 victory, securing the title with an aggregate score of 4–3. In the third-place playoff, Bite on Fire defeated Al Ittihad with an overall score of 5–3, winning 3–2 in the digital match and 2–1 in the physical one.
Speaking about the tournament's format and objectives, Hamad al Jahwari, Secretary of the Oman Committee for E-Sports, explained that 'Phygital' is an innovative sports model that combines the fun of virtual competition with the thrill of real-life gameplay, making it unique in the region. He noted that each encounter starts with a virtual stage in EA Sports FC 25's Rush mode, a fast-paced 5-vs-5 format featuring four field players and an AI-controlled goalkeeper. Matches are played on a small virtual pitch, encouraging open play, rapid exchanges and swift transitions.
The game then shifts to the physical stage, played on a real football pitch in a five-a-side format, with each half lasting five minutes, offering a fast-paced, physically demanding atmosphere. The final result is determined by the total goals scored across both stages, making balance between digital and physical performance essential and pushing teams to prepare their players in both aspects.
In the third-place playoff, Bite on Fire defeated Al Ittihad with an overall score of 5–3.
Al Jahwari added that the second edition received wide engagement and praise from both participants and fans, with prize money exceeding 1,000 Omani rials. The winning team also earned the opportunity to represent Oman at the 'Future Games' in Kazakhstan, an international event that combines physical and digital sports. He stressed that the champion team will be prepared according to the highest international standards to ensure an honourable performance on the world stage.
He also emphasised that the tournament is a key step in promoting the culture of e-sports in Oman, balancing mental engagement with physical health an approach that encourages adoption by families, schools and institutions, fostering a supportive environment for the growth of this type of sport.
The championship concluded with the honouring of the winning teams in a festive atmosphere that reflected the spirit of fair competition, reaffirming Oman's steady progress towards cementing its place in the regional and global e-sports and physical sports scene.
