Oman Racket Sports Committee Unveils Ambitious Local and International Calendar

Badminton and Squash Gain Momentum in Oman Through Expanded Competitions

Muscat: Dr. Abdulrahim bin Muslim Al Daroushi, Chairman of the Omani Racket Sports Committee, stated that 2026 will witness a rich calendar of local and international tournaments, competitions, and development programs in badminton and squash across the Sultanate of Oman, reflecting the rapid growth achieved by the committee since its establishment.

In a statement to Oman News Agency, Al Daroushi explained that the committee has developed a comprehensive agenda for 2026, which includes organizing several local and international badminton and squash championships, alongside continued support for age groups through accredited training centers in Muscat Governorate. He noted that the committee plans to expand geographically by opening two additional training centers in other governorates, aiming to broaden participation and develop a new generation of players.

He added that the committee’s agenda extends beyond competitions to include qualitative community initiatives, most notably the Women’s Badminton and Outdoor Badminton programs. The plan also focuses on increasing training, coaching, and refereeing courses to qualify national cadres and elevate them to regional and international standards. Special attention is given to national team players through local and international training camps and overseas participations.

Regarding the spread of racket sports, Al Daroushi pointed out that the committee has followed a clear and phased development plan, beginning with schools through badminton promotion programs, then expanding into parks, beaches, and public spaces. This approach, he said, has enabled the sport to reach broader segments of society.

He noted that the committee has strengthened its presence in summer programs through initiatives such as “Our Summer is Squash”, as well as summer activities implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth across various governorates. He added that the next phase will include integrating badminton and squash into the annual programs of other government and private institutions, while continuing to organize age-group championships based on well-studied technical divisions over the coming two years.

Al Daroushi highlighted that the first club championship held in 2024 featured 11 clubs, increasing to 15 clubs in 2025. He expressed optimism that participation in the 2026 championships will reach 26 clubs, making badminton competitions among the largest unified club championships in Oman. In squash, the number of participating clubs reached nine in previous championships, with expectations to rise to 14 clubs this year, reflecting growing interest in the sport.

He added that the committee organized 13 sporting events over the past two years, including two major international tournaments: the West Asian Junior Badminton Championship and the Oman Squash Championship, which is part of the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Tour.

On player development, Al Daroushi emphasized the committee’s focus on age groups through training centers supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth. He noted that three training centers have been established so far, contributing approximately 85 percent of the national team players who participated in recent international events.

He pointed out that Omani squash players achieved a notable accomplishment by securing third place at the West Asian Championship in Iraq. He also highlighted the progress of player Walid Al Niri, who is ranked among the world’s top 1,000 squash players and serves as a role model for junior athletes in the Sultanate.

Al Daroushi further explained that the committee has placed strong emphasis on developing referees, coaches, and administrators. Through the “Time of Badminton” program, 60 teachers and 20 internationally accredited lecturers were qualified, supporting the scientific and systematic spread of the sport in schools. The number of Omani coaches holding Level One certification from the International Badminton Federation increased from three to nine within two years. Additionally, the committee now has more than 44 line referees and 16 court referees, including nine classified at regional and international levels.

In the administrative field, 24 administrators and 52 volunteers participated in organizing the West Asian Junior Championship 2024, while 2025 saw the involvement of more than 40 administrators and 80 volunteers across committee activities, as part of a strategy to build national capacity in organization, media, marketing, and public relations.

In conclusion, Al Daroushi affirmed that the Omani Racket Sports Committee adopts an integrated vision that views badminton and squash as community sports, drivers of sports investment, and long-term developmental pathways for youth, noting that this approach has already begun to yield tangible results at both local and regional levels.