News

Details of Tour of Oman 2026 Unveiled Muscat, 21 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth today unveiled the details of the 15th edition of the Tour of Oman 2026, which will commence on 6 February with the participation of 18 international teams. This was announced during a press conference held today. Saif Sabaa Al Rashidi, Chairman of Oman Cycling Association and Director of Tour of Oman, stated that the Tour was launched in 2010 and has witnessed significant development, becoming one of the most prominent cycling races worldwide. Over time, it has risen ...

Al Bashayer Camel Racing Festival to Kick Off 2 February Adam, 21 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- The activities of the 9th Annual Al Bashayer Camel Racing Festival will kick off on 2 February 2026 at Al Bashayer Camel Racetrack in the Wilayat of Adam, A’Dakhiliyah Governorate. The 6-day festival will see broad participation of camel owners from the Sultanate of Oman and the GCC countries. HH Sayyid Asa'ad bin Tarik Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Affairs and Personal Representative of His Majesty the Sultan, affirmed that the festival enjoys the ...

Oman Racket Sports Committee Announces Diverse 2026 Calendar, International Participation Muscat, 20 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- Dr. Abdulrahim Musallam Al Darwashi, Chairman of the Oman Racket Sports Committee (ORSC), stated that the current year features a wide array of tournaments, competitions, partnerships, and programs for badminton and squash in the Sultanate of Oman. He noted that the busy local and international agenda, along with ambitious developmental programs, is based on realistic data and rapid growth achieved in a short period since the committee's ...

Musandam Hiking: A Youth Passion Evolves into a Community, Tourism Platform Khasab, 20 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- The "Musandam Hiking" team emerged from a youthful passion for mountain trekking and a love for exploration. What began as a simple initiative bringing together nature enthusiasts and mountain trail explorers in Musandam Governorate has evolved into an organized team dedicated to promoting a healthy lifestyle, deepening environmental awareness, and showcasing the governorate's unique natural and tourism potential. Ismail Ali Al Shehhi, Chairman of the Musandam Hiking team, ...

Semi-finals of HM The Sultan’s Football Cup Kick off Muscat, 20 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- The first-leg matches of the semi-finals of His Majesty the Sultan’s Football Cup for the 2025/2026 sports season kick off this evening. In the first match, Oman Club will face Al Nasr Club at 5:00 PM at the A’Seeb Stadium. The second match will feature A’Seeb Club against Al Nahda Club at 8:15 PM at the same venue. The return-leg confrontations are scheduled for Thursday, 29 January. Al Nahda will host A’Seeb at 5:20 PM at the Al Buraimi Sports Complex, while the second encounter ...

Details of Muscat Nights International 3x3 Basketball Tournament Announced Muscat, 19 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- Oman Basketball Association (OBA) announced the details of the Muscat Nights International 3x3 Basketball Tournament, which will be held on 23 and 24 January 2026, in Muscat Governorate. The announcement was made during a press conference held today at the headquarters of the Oman Olympic Committee and Sports Associations. Eng. Khalfan Saleh Al Naabi, Chairman of Oman Basketball Association, emphasized that organizing the Muscat Nights International 3x3 Basketball Tournament ...

Muscat Nights International Billiards, Snooker Championship Kicks Off Muscat, 15 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- Muscat Nights International Billiards and Snooker Championship kicked off today at various technical levels. The opening ceremony was held at Oman Automobile Association (OAA). The event forms part of Muscat Nights festival season. The opening day of the tournament saw a large turnout of players from 18 countries representing different international playing styles. The first day's matches resulted in strong performances reflecting a high level of competition, ...

Annual Camel Race Competitions to Kick Off Sunday Muscat, 13 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- Oman Camel Racing Federation held a press conference in Muscat today on the annual race, the competitions of which will begin next Sunday and last for four days at the Al Falaj racetrack. Sheikh Said Saud Al Ghufaili, Chairman of Oman Camel Racing Federation, confirmed that this race comes within the Federation's annual programs aimed at developing camel sports and preserving this authentic heritage. He indicated that the organizing committee has completed all its technical and organizational ...

Government Units 8-a-side Football Championship Witnesses Intense Competition Muscat, 13 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- The 2026 Government Units 8-a-side Football Championship, organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth in Muscat, has entered its final stages following the conclusion of the preliminary round matches. Eight matches are scheduled to take place this evening, featuring the Shura Council against the Royal Court Affairs; the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning against the Authority for Public Services Regulation; the Ministry of Social Development against the ...

Oman Handball Team Participates in Asian Championship in Kuwait Muscat, 13 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- Oman handball team will participate in the 22nd Asian Handball Championship, hosted by the State of Kuwait during 15-29 January 2026. The tournament will see two teams qualify for the finals of the 2027 World Cup, to be hosted by Germany. The draw placed Oman in Group One alongside defending champions Qatar and South Korea. The team will begin its participation by facing the Qatari team on16 January at 1:00 PM Muscat time, followed by a match against the South Korean team on18 January at ...

Oman International Drift Championship to Kick off This Thursday Muscat, 13 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- Oman International Drift Championship 2026, organized by Oman Automobile Association (OAA), is set to launch this Thursday, 15 January. The two-day event will be held at the Association’s headquarters as part of the "Muscat Nights" festivities. The eyes of speed and thrill enthusiasts in the Sultanate of Oman and abroad are turning toward the "Muscat Drift Arena" at the OAA headquarters, where the first round of the championship will take place on Thursday and Friday, 15 and 16 ...

Oman International Table Tennis Championship Brings Together 200 Players from 34 Countries Muscat, 13 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- The Sultanate of Oman, represented by Oman Table Tennis Association, will host the Oman International Contender Championship 2026 starting next Monday until 24 January 2026 at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher. The event is organized in cooperation with the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and World Table Tennis (WTT). Approximately 200 male and female players representing 34 countries from various continents are participating in the ...

Faisal Al-Zubair Aims to Retain His Title at 24-Hour Race in Dubai Muscat, 13 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- The Omani international racer Faisal bin Khalid Al-Zubair, along with the Al-Manar Racing team, is seeking to defend his title at the 24H Dubai race, which kicks off this weekend at the Dubai Autodrome in the United Arab Emirates. The event is one of the most prominent endurance races in the region. Faisal Al-Zubair will participate in the race alongside drivers Alex Jeffreys, Dustin Blattner, and Dennis Marshall, behind the wheel of a Ferrari 296 GT3 under the supervision of Dragon ...

Barnes Stuns Leeds with 102nd-Minute Winner in St James' Park Classic Newcastle, 8 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- Harvey Barnes scored a dramatic 102nd-minute winner to seal a breathtaking 4-3 victory for Newcastle United over Leeds United, ending the visitors' unbeaten run in a Premier League instant classic. The match appeared destined for a share of the points after Newcastle captain Bruno Guimarães converted a stoppage-time penalty to level the score at 3-3. However, in a final twist, Barnes fired through a crowded penalty area deep into added time, sending St James' Park into ...

Barcelona Storm into Super Cup Final with Historic First-Half Blitz Jeddah, 8 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- Barcelona delivered a devastating first-half performance to crush Athletic Club 5-0, securing their place in the Spanish Super Cup final in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The defending champions, chasing a record-extending 16th title, sealed the semi-final clash before the interval with a remarkable four-goal burst in just 16 minutes. This unprecedented feat marks the first time any team has scored four times in the first half of a Super Cup semi-final. Ferran Torres ...

Over 1,200 Competitors Will Start Oman Desert Marathon in the Wilayat of Bidiyah Bidiyah, 8 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- This Saturday, 10 January, heralds the commencement of the eleventh edition of Oman Desert Marathon 2026, set to unfold in the Wilayat of Bidiyah within the North A’Sharqiyah Governorate. The event will witness the participation of over 1,200 elite runners and endurance athletes from the Sultanate of Oman and more than 35 nations across the globe. Said Mohammed Al Hajri, the General Supervisor of the Oman Desert Marathon and Chairman of the Oman Athletics Association, ...

HM Cup Bestowed upon Champion 'Falah' in Royal Cavalry's Annual Equestrian Spectacle Barka, 7 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- At the behest of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, HH Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham Al Said presided over the Annual Royal Cavalry Horse Race at the Al Rahba Racecourse in the Wilayat of Barka today, in an event organized by the the Royal Court Affairs (RCA) through the Royal Cavalry. The horse 'Falah', owned by HH Sayyid Shihab bin Harib Al Said, was awarded His Majesty the Sultan's Cup after triumphing in the fifth race, the Wilayat Barka Race for ...

Chelsea Appoint Rosenior as New Head Coach London, 6 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- Liam Rosenior was confirmed as Premier League club Chelsea's new head coach today following the departure of Italian Enzo Maresca last week. The 41-year-old Englishman has signed a deal until 2032, becoming the fourth full-time head coach appointed since a takeover of the club led by American Todd Boehly in 2022. London-born Rosenior, whose playing career included spells at Fulham, Hull City, Brighton and Hove Albion, took charge of Strasbourg in July 2024 after coaching spells at Derby County, ...

Omani Talent Al Muhannad Al Balushi Gets Spotlight in Taekwondo at International Events Muscat, 6 January 2026 (ONA) --- Al Muhannad bin Tawfiq Al Balushi, Member of the Omani National Taekwondo Team, stood out as one of the Sultanate of Oman's most promising athletes during recent international tournaments. Al Muhannad earned top medals at several world championships, most notably the prestigious European Taekwondo Grand Prix Final 2025 held in Sarajevo—Bosnia & Herzegovina—that charted out a new chapter in his athletic career. Al Muhannad told Oman News ...

National Goalball Team Holds Overseas Training Camp Ahead of West Asian Paralympics Muscat, 6 January 2026 (ONA) --- Oman’s National Goalball Team is holding an overseas training camp in the State of Qatar from 4 to 9 January 2026 as part of the team’s preparations for the 5th West Asian Paralympic Games that will be hosted by the Sultanate of Oman from 1 to 8 February 2026. The national team's technical committee selected 6 players to participate in the overseas training camp. The overseas training camp seeks to augment the technical, physical and mental readiness of the ...

Oman to Host Arab Clubs Chess Championship 2026 from Thursday 8 January Muscat, 5 January 2026 (ONA) --- The Sultanate of Oman will host the Arab Clubs Chess Championship from 8 to 14 January 2026. The event, which will take place at the Sohar Sports Complex in North Al Batinah Governorate, will see the participation of 10 clubs from different Arab countries. The tournament will pursue the Swiss system of 7 rounds, with a thinking time of 90 minutes for each player and an additional 30 seconds for every move. This highlights the technical and tactical abilities of the ...

Manchester United Sacks Ruben Amorim After 14 Months in Charge Manchester, 5 Jan 2025 (ONA) --- Manchester United have terminated the contract of manager Ruben Amorim, ending his tenure after just 14 months in charge at Old Trafford. The club announced the decision today, one day after a 1-1 draw with Leeds United and following public comments from the 40-year-old Portuguese that hinted at a strained relationship with the club's hierarchy. Amorim had suggested he lacked full backing in the transfer market and expressed a desire to operate as a "manager, not just ...

Barcelona Strike Late Again to Extend Lead at Liga Summit Barcelona, 4 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- Barcelona cemented their position at the top of the Spanish La Liga with a classic late show, scoring twice in the final four minutes to defeat a stubborn Espanyol 2-0 in a hard-fought Catalan derby. The victory, orchestrated by the impactful substitute Fermín López, extends Barcelona's lead over second-place Real Madrid to seven points. For over 85 minutes, Hansi Flick’s side were frustrated by a disciplined Espanyol defense and the inspired goalkeeping of former youth ...

Muscat Nights International Bowling Championship Details Announced Muscat, 29 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- The Oman Bowling Committee, in partnership with Muscat Municipality, has announced that it will host the second edition of the Muscat Nights International Bowling Championship. The event will take place from 8 to 19 January 2026, at the A’Seeb Bowling Center, featuring a selection of top world-ranked bowlers. Ayman Salim Al Jahdhami, Secretary of the Oman Bowling Committee and Chairman of the Organizing Committee, explained that this new edition is a continuation of the success ...

The 2026 Mega Cup: Football's Global Juggernaut Washington, 28 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- The 2026 FIFA World Cup, the planet's premier sporting spectacle, is poised to become an event of unparalleled scale in its upcoming edition. The tournament will feature 48 national teams contesting 104 matches across four time zones, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Unlike the compact 2022 edition in Qatar, the 2026 tournament will sprawl across 16 stadiums distributed over more than 4,000 kilometers, a vast geography that promises a significant environmental impact from ...

Several Winners Honored at Arab Shooting and Airgun Championship Muscat, 25 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- Several winners were honored at the conclusion of the Arab Shooting and Airgun Championship with bullet and airgun weapons for various individual and team categories for men and women, which was held at the National Olympic Shooting Complex in Muscat. In the 50-meter rifle individual competition for men, shooter Ali Al Saidi from the Sultanate of Oman won the gold medal, while Khalid Al Dosari from the Kingdom of Bahrain finished second, and Khalid Al Majid from the State of Kuwait ...

Oman’s Youth Golfers Claim Gold and Silver at GCC Junior Championships in MuscatMuscat, 24 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- Oman under-13 golf team secured gold and silver medals at the conclusion of the GCC Junior Golf Championship for Girls and Age Categories (under-13 and under-16), hosted by the Sultanate of Oman at the Ghala Golf Club. The tournament was organized by the Oman Golf Association. The closing ceremony was held under the patronage of HH Sayyid Fahr bin Fatik Al Said. Yousef Al Rumhi led the Oman national team to glory by winning first place and the gold medal in the ...

Oman Sail Team Qualifies for Star Sailors League Gold Cup 2026 in Brazil Bangkok, 22 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- Oman Sail’s SSL Team achieved a new milestone for Omani sport on the international stage after qualifying for the Star Sailors League (SSL) Gold Cup 2026, scheduled to take place in November next year in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Qualification was secured with a race to spare after the team topped its group with five wins from the first five races in the Asian Qualifiers in Thailand. The team’s qualification followed an impressive performance and a consistently ...

First Day of Arab Shooting and Airgun Championship 2025 Begins in Muscat Muscat, 21 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- The first day of competitions for the Arab Shooting and Airgun Championship (Rifle and Airgun, 10 meters) kicked off today at the National Olympic Shooting Complex in Muscat. The championship, hosted by the Sultanate of Oman and represented by the Oman Shooting Association, features broad participation from national teams across the Arab world in the junior and senior categories for both men and women. In the Junior Girls’ competition, shooter Fatima Al Suwaidi from the ...

GCC Youth, Women’s Golf Championships Kick Off in Muscat Muscat, 21 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- The competitions for the GCC Golf Championship for Girls and Youth (Under 13 and 16 for boys and girls) commenced today at the Ghala Golf Club in Muscat. Hosted by the Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Oman Golf Association, the tournament will run until 24 December 2025, featuring an elite group of promising talents from the national teams of the GCC countries. The opening ceremony of the championship was held under the auspices of Sayyid Hamad bin Abdullah Al Busaidi. The male ...