Tuesday 19 / May / 2026
Muscat: Oman’s athletics heroes received a rousing welcome on their return from Doha after delivering a golden performance at the ongoing fourth GCC Games, where the athletes captured 11 medals, including seven gold, to underline the Sultanate’s growing strength in regional sport.
The team arrived at Muscat International Airport to celebrations led by officials from the Omani Olympic Committee (OOC) and the Oman Athletics Association (OAA) following one of Oman’s most successful athletics campaigns at the GCC Games.
Among those present to honour the athletes were Taha Al Kishry, OOC board member, and Brigadier General (retd) Saeed Al Hajri, president of the Oman Athletics Association, alongside federation officials and supporters.
The athletics contingent emerged as one of Oman’s brightest success stories, winning seven gold, two silver and two bronze medals in a dominant display that showcased the steady rise of Omani athletics on the Gulf stage. The results reflected months of preparation by the athletes, coaching staff and administrators, with the team excelling across several events against strong regional competition.
The standout athlete for Oman was sprinter Ali Anwar Al Balushi who bagged a sprint double gold and also was member of the relay quartet gold squad. The other members of the relay quartet were Mulham Al Balushi, Rashid Al Asmi and Mohammed Al Saadi.
The other gold medals in athletics came from Alia Al Mughairi (women’s high jump), Mazoon Al Alawi (women’s long jump), Fatik Beit Jaaboub (men’s high jump), and Salem Al Ya’arubi (men’s long jump).
The achievement has also strengthened confidence ahead of the Asian Athletics Championships in Japan later this year, where Oman’s athletes will seek to build on their Gulf success and continue making their mark internationally.
While the athletics team celebrated its triumphant return, Oman’s shooting squad was preparing to conclude its campaign in the 10m mixed pistol event. The shooters have already added silver to Oman’s tally through Salem bin Ali Al Naabi and Al Anoud Al Khalili in the mixed rifle competition after an impressive showing.
Abdullah Ali Al Hammadi, chairman of the technical committee and director of shooting competitions at the GCC Games, praised the high standards witnessed throughout the tournament, noting the close competition among Gulf shooters in skeet, trap and rifle disciplines.
Oman’s snooker team also continued its participation in the doubles event after narrowly missing the podium in singles competition. Qatar’s Ali Al Obaidli clinched the 15-red singles gold medal with a 3-0 victory over Saudi Arabia’s Ziad Al-Qabbani in the final.
Attention now shifts to karate, where Oman’s Idris Al Batrani will compete in the men’s 67kg category under the guidance of national coach Ali bin Saeed Al Shabibi, with hopes of adding another medal to the Sultanate’s growing collection.
Hosts Qatar continue to lead the overall standings with 110 medals, while Oman remain fourth with 24 medals overall — including 10 gold, four silver and 10 bronze — in a tournament featuring more than 1,000 athletes competing across 17 sports in Doha, which conclude on Friday.
