News

Ironman 70.3 Triathlon to Kick off Tomorrow at Muscat Muscat, 1 Feb (ONA) --- The 2023 Ironman 70.3 triathlon, hosted by the Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, will kick off tomorrow (Thursday). The opening ceremony will be held under the auspices of Basil Ahmed Al Rowas, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Sports and Youth. This came during a press conference held here today. After the opening ceremony, the race will kick off from Muscat’s Shatti Al Qurum (Qurum Beach). The Ironman 70.3 triathlon ...

Omani-Italian Friendship Championship for Shooting Flying Targets Kicks off Muscat, 31 Jan (ONA) --- The Omani-Italian Friendship Championship for shooting flying targets kicked off today, hosted by the Command of the Sultan’s Armed Forces (COSAF) at the shooting ranges of the international marksmanship unit in Ghala. The championship, which runs till 3 February 2023, sees the participation of Oman Shooting Association and the Italian Shooting Federation. The first day included a training programme for using weapons on the shooting ranges of the championship. ...

Oman participates in Sharjah International Show Jumping Championship Muscat, 31 Jan (ONA)—The Sultanate of Oman will participate with 10 riders in Sharjah International Show Jumping Championship, organized by Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club, United Arab Emirates. The event, held under the auspices of the International Equestrian Association, takes place at Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club’s grounds from 2 to 5 February 2023. Oman’s 10 riders fall in “One Star” and “Juniors” classes. In the One Star Class, Oman will be represented by Hamoud Sultan Al ...

First Edition of Governorates Marathon to Kick-off Friday Muscat, 30 Jan (ONA) --- Activities of the Governorates Marathon in its first edition will kick off this Friday. The marathon is organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth in partnership with Oman Broadband Company, Sabco Sport Group and Aspire Zone of Qatar. The marathon includes a series of running events with high and international standards. It will be held in various governorates in the Sultanate of Oman. The marathon provides a platform for runners of all ages to adopt a more active ...

Oman-Italian Friendship Championship for Shooting Flying Targets to Kick off Tomorrow Muscat, 30 Jan (ONA) --- The Omani-Italian Friendship Championship for shooting flying targets will start tomorrow (Tuesday), hosted by the Command of the Sultan’s Armed Forces (COSAF). The event, which runs till 3 February 2023, is organized by Oman Shooting Association in coordination with the Italian Shooting Federation at the shooting ranges of the international marksmanship unit in Ghala. The championship aims to boost cooperation and coordination between Oman Shooting Association ...

HH Sayyid Theyazin Presides Over Annual Horse Race in Al BuraimiAl Buraimi, 26 Jan (ONA)—Assigned by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, HH Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said today presided over the annual horse race of the Royal Cavalry in the Wilayat of Al Buraimi. The race was organized by the Royal Court Affairs, represented by the Royal Cavalry.Ridden by cavalryman Amer Ali Al Rasbi, a horse named “RBBlast Off”, owned by HH Sayyid Saud Harib Al Said, clinched His Majesty the Sultan’s Cup in the 5th round, a 2,000-metre run titled “Hisn Al Khandaq Race” for Arabian ...

Oman to Host Ironman 70.3 on 4 February Muscat, 24 Jan (ONA)—Represented by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, the Sultanate of Oman will host Ironman 70.3 Triathlon at Shatti Al Qurum (Qurum Beach) area on 4 February 2023. The tournament will consolidate Oman’s status among leading global destinations for sports events. It includes a swim in the waters of the Sea of Oman off Qurum Beach, followed by a bike race and a run that takes the athletes through the wonderful urban areas of Muscat. The event will highlight Oman’s tourism attractions, including Muttrah ...

Assigned by HM The Sultan, HH Sayyid Theyazin to Preside Over Annual Horse Race on Thursday Muscat, 23 Jan (ONA) --- Assigned by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, HH Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said will patronize this Thursday over the Royal Cavalry’s annual horse race, which will be held in the Wilayat of Al Buraimi. The event is organized by the Royal Court Affairs, represented by the Royal Cavalry. The race will consist of five laps for thoroughbred Arabian horses. It will culminate in the 5thlap in which riders will compete to win the coveted His Majesty the ...

HH Sayyid Theyazin Gives Directives to Operate 4 Flights to Airlift Omani Fans to BasraMuscat, 18 Jan (ONA) --- His Highness Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth issued instructions today to operate four flights to transport fans to cheer Oman Football Team in its match against Iraq at the final match of the GCC Football Cup (Gulf Cup 25).The step was taken in partnership with Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel), Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), Vodafone Oman and OQ.HH Sayyid Theyazin also gave directives to give out a bonus to players ...

Oman Hosts World Veteran Table Tennis Championships 2023Muscat, 15 Jan (ONA) ---- The Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC) will be transformed into a hive of activity this week as it plays host to the World Veteran Table Tennis Championships 2023.More than 1600 players aged 40 to over 90 years of age will compete for 44 world titles during the coming week.The Men’s competition boasts many of the world’s top ten ranked players including the former world number one Raymond Lui of Hong Kong, number two Petr Wasik from Czechia, number four Youssef Shalhoub from Lebanon and ...

Real Madrid Could Tie Barcelona For Most Spanish Super Cup Titles Madrid, 15 Jan (ONA) ---- Barcelona and Real Madrid will play for the Spanish Super Cup tonight, at the King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Both teams are not only the most popular and most followed teams in Spanish football, and they also have the most titles in this tournament, the Spanish MARCA said. Their domination of LaLiga Santander and the Copa del Rey means that both have had the opportunity to get their hands on the Spanish Super Cup many times. Barcelona are the most ...

Lucas Braathen Leads First Run of World Cup Slalom Race Adelboden, Switzerland, 8 Jan (ONA) --- Lucas Braathen set the fastest first-run time in a World Cup slalom today on a course that tricked several top contenders. Braathen took a commanding 0.52 seconds lead over Loïc Meillard of Switzerland, who was third in the giant slalom on Saturday. Linus Strasser of Germany was third with 0.60 to make up in the afternoon run. Only four racers were within a second of Braathen, including his Norway teammate Atle Lie McGrath in fifth. Norway also had Timon Haugan in a tie for sixth ...

Djokovic Wins Adelaide Title Adelaide, Australia, 8 Jan (ONA) --- Novak Djokovic showed no signs of an injury that might derail his Australian Open campaign when he today beat unseeded American Sebastian Korda 6-7 (8), 7-6 (3), 6-4 to win the Adelaide International. Djokovic worried Open organizers when he said after his semifinal in Adelaide against Daniil Medvedev that he had been troubled by a tight hamstring. He said the injury eased as the match progressed. If there had been any lingering issue, it likely would have been exposed in today’s marathon final that stretched ...

National Football Team to Face Iraq in 25th Gulf Cup Opening MatchBasra, 5 Jan (ONA) —- Our national football team will kick off its campaign in the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup tomorrow (Friday).Our national team will take on its Iraqi counterpart in the opening match of the tournament, which will be held in Basra tomorrow at 8:00 pm (Muscat time).The tournament continues until 19 January 2023 with the participation of eight teams divided into two groups. The first and second placed teams will advance to the semi-finals.Branko Ivankovic, coach of our national football team said during the press ...

Xavi Starts to Get Nervous about Barcelona's Mistakes Barcelona, 5 Jan (ONA) --- Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez expressed his frustration after Barcelona's 4-3 Copa del Rey win over Intercity. The Blaugrana squandered their lead three times before sealing qualification to the next round in extra time. Their poor performance against Intercity came just a few days after they failed to beat local rivals Espanyol, drawing 1-1 in the derby at the Camp Nou last Saturday. "This match makes me uneasy," Xaxi noted after Wednesday's duel. Barcelona looked dominant before the break ...

Medvedev Advances to Quarterfinals at Adelaide International Adelaide, Australia, 4 Jan (ONA) --- Daniil Medvedev defeated Miomir Kecmanovic 6-0, 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals of the Adelaide International. The former world No. 1 — now ranked No. 7 — had an easy time today for his third victory in three tries against the 29th-ranked Serbian Top-seeded Novak Djokovic, who has won 30 straight singles matches on Australian soil, will play tomorrow (Thursday) for his place in the quarterfinals and a possible matchup against Medvedev in the semifinals. Medvedev ...

3-time Olympic Medalist Mahiedine Mekhissi Retires Paris, 4 Jan (ONA) --- Three-time Olympic medalist Mahiedine Mekhissi is ending his decorated career as a middle-distance runner, saying he no longer takes pleasure in training. Mekhissi, 37, announced his decision in an interview with the French L’Equipe sports daily published today. “I’m stopping because the desire is no longer there,” said Mekhissi, who took part in three editions of the Games. He won silver in the 3,000 meters steeplechase at both the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympics, and bronze in Rio in ...

Liverpool Miss Chance to Close in on EPL Top Four After Brentford Defeat Liverpool, 3 Jan (ONA) --- Liverpool's performance in defeat by Brentford was "not good enough", said Andrew Robertson, after a string of defensive mistakes meant the Reds missed the chance to close in on the English Premier League's (EPL) top four. The Reds shipped three poor goals at the Community Stadium as Brentford ran out deserved winners. In a desperate first half, Ibrahima Konate scored an own goal at a corner and, having escaped conceding two further goals at set-pieces because of offside ...

Man City Drop Points after Draw with Everton in EPL Manchester, 1 Jan (ONA) --- Manchester City defender John Stones said a point against Everton is "difficult to take" after his side were held in a feisty English Premier League (EPL) contest at Etihad Stadium. The result left second-placed City seven points adrift of Arsenal, who extended their lead at the top of the table after beating Brighton. Erling Haaland, noticeably incensed after an early exchange with Everton's Ben Godfrey that left the Norway striker requiring treatment, finished off a lovely Riyad Mahrez move to ...

Arsenal Play Down Title Hopes After Extending Lead in EPL London, 1 Jan (ONA) --- Arsenal have played down their chances of winning the English Premier League (EPL), despite finishing 2022 seven points ahead at the top of the table. The Gunners extended their lead over Manchester City with a 4-2 win at Brighton on New Year's Eve. But Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said his side have room for improvement following a wobble when leading 3-0. He said the gap at the top of the table "means nothing" if Arsenal slip up, and "our only focus is again to improve". Arsenal have not ...

Haaland Sets Record as Man City Beat Leeds in EPLManchester, 29 Dec (ONA) —- Erling Haaland became the fastest player to reach 20 English Premier League (EPL) goals as Manchester City overcame a stubborn Leeds to reduce Arsenal's lead at the top of the table to five points.Frustrated by a disciplined and determined home side and their own profligacy for much of the first half at Elland Road, City snatched the lead just before the break through Rodri's follow-up finish and then sped into the distance in a one-sided second half.Having seen a couple of efforts saved early in the game, Haaland ...

Mbappe Rescues PSG on Return as Neymar Sent offParis, 29 Dec (ONA) —- Kylian Mbappe rescued victory for Paris St-Germain (PSG) as his late penalty snatched a win over Strasbourg in his first game since losing the World Cup final with France.Marquinhos had opened the scoring for the hosts in the French Ligue 1 match before scoring an own goal in the second half.Things went from bad to worse for PSG as Neymar was sent off after two yellow cards in as many minutes.But Mbappe saved the three points as he netted his 94th-minute penalty.The result sees PSG remain top of the table and extend their ...

Salalah Club Crowned Champion of HM Cup for Youth 2021 Muscat, 28 Dec (ONA)—Assigned by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Dr. Saud Hamoud Al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, presided over a ceremony for the announcement of winners of His Majesty the Sultan’s Cup for Youth 2021. Salalah Club was crowned champion of HM The Sultan’s Cup for Youth, thus keeping the precious trophy in its repertory for the second year in a row. Al Bashaer Club bagged silver and Seeb won bronze. Basil Ahmed Al Rowas, Sports and Youth Undersecretary, said ...

EPL Makes Bumper Return after World Cup London, 27 Dec (ONA) --- English Premier League (EPL) football resumed with a feast of Boxing Day fixtures, 40 days after the top-flight broke up for the World Cup in Qatar. Monday's seven fixtures produced a bumper 25 goals, with table-toppers Arsenal showing no signs of letting up by securing a 3-1 win over West Ham. Southampton now find themselves bottom of the league following a home defeat and Everton were left in despair after conceding late on at Goodison Park, BBC sports reported. Mikel Arteta's men extended their lead to ...

Liverpool Sign World Cup Star Cody Gakpo from PSV Liverpool, 27 Dec (ONA) --- The winter transfer window already has its first big post-World Cup signing after Liverpool officially completed the transfer of Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven. The transfer, according to Fabrizio Romano, has been closed at 42 million euros as an initial fee along with a possible further 14 million euros in bonus payments. It would therefore become the most expensive sale in the Eindhoven club's history, overtaking Hirving Lozano, who left for Napoli in 2019 for 45m euros, the Spanish MARCA newspaper ...

Argentina Crowned World Champion in Best Ever World Cup FinalDoha, 18 Dec (ONA) —— Lionel Messi is champion of the world with Argentina as he scored twice to help his side to a historic win over France on penalties after a crazy game which saw six goals cored in 120 manic minutes.Messi and Kylian Mbappe went blow for blow throughout, with the Frenchman scoring a hat-trick and still ending up as a loser on the day. He, though, was excellent after a quiet hour and looked like he might just win it for France more than once.Argentina were on the front foot from the very first whistle, and ...

Messi, Mbappe Each Aim for a World Cup Treble Doha, 18 Dec (ONA) --- Messi and Mbappe are the two undoubtfully big names of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. As of today, the two are considered the most decisive players in world football. Teammates at PSG, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe will meet tonight with a lot at stake. Only one of the two can become world champion, although the World Cup final in Qatar could also decide more than just the collective trophy. On an individual level, the Argentine and the Frenchman are battling it out to finish as the tournament's top ...

Luis Enrique Dismissed, Luis de la Fuente Named New Coach of Spain Madrid, 8 Dec (ONA) --- The defeat against Morocco in the penalty shootout has triggered a new cycle for the Spain national football team and the first casualty after the fiasco at the Qatar 2022 World Cup has been Luis Enrique. The Asturian coach has been dismissed as coach to bring an end to his project, based on young players, which has not been able to enjoy success at major tournaments, the Spanish MARCA newspaper reported. Luis de la Fuente is the new Spain national team coach. The Royal Spanish ...

Spain ‘tiki-taka’ Style Under Attack Again After 2022 World Cup Loss Madrid, 8 Dec (ONA) --- The Morocco players fell back on defense and patiently watched as Spain kept passing the ball around midfield during their round of 16 match at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Side to side, from one Spanish player to another. Pass after pass, Spain tried to find an opening through the Moroccan defense, but the Moroccans stayed committed, unwavering, patiently waiting with 11 men behind the ball in front of their goal. The traditional “tiki-taka” ball-possession style allowed ...

HH Sayyid Theyazin Patronizes over Omani Equestrian FestivalMuscat, 7 Dec (ONA) —- HH Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth patronized over the Omani Equestrian Festival held at Al Rahba Racecourse in the Wilayat of Barka today.The event was organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth with the participation of the Royal Cavalry and Oman Equestrian Federation.Organizing the festival, which also included horse races, comes within the framework of HH Sayyid Theyazin’s attention accorded to equestrian sport and upgrading its level in the ...