Oman paddlers to compete in Asian TT Championships

Muscat: Oman paddlers are gearing up to compete in the 29th ITTF-ATTU Asian Table Tennis Championships 2026 which will be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from October 19 to 25.

The event serves as a key continental championship and a qualification pathway for the WTTC Finals 2027.

The Asian championships will represent a major test for Oman’s leading players, with the event bringing together some of the strongest table tennis nations in the continent.

Oman will field a five-player squad comprising Muhannad al Balushi, Ahmed al Riyami, Ghassan al Ghassani, Bilal al Rashdi and Nasser al Balushi. The team will be accompanied by head coach Omid Shams of Iran and Syrian assistant coach Adnan Fawakherji.

Ahead of the tournament, the team entered an intensive phase of technical and physical preparations.

The preparatory camp is focused on tactical awareness, technical execution, match readiness and physical conditioning, with particular attention being given to the demands of competing against high-level Asian opponents.

For Oman, the Asian competition will give the players valuable international experience and exposure as the Oman Table Tennis Association (OTTA) continues its efforts to strengthen the national team’s competitiveness at regional and international level. Muhannad from Al Amerat Club will enter the Asian meet with confidence after claiming the men’s singles title at the National Table Tennis Championship earlier this month. Muhannad defeated Seeb Club’s Nasser al Balushi 3-1 in the final to secure the crown. Ghassan al Ghassani, who represents Seeb Club, finished third after defeating his club team-mate Haitham Al Mandhari 3-1. The recent national championship provided an important competitive platform for the players.

Last month, Oman had recorded an encouraging medal haul at the West Asia Table Tennis Championships in Jordan, collecting three medals. The results included one silver and two bronze medals, with Oman’s young players demonstrating their potential in team and doubles competitions.

Ahmed al Rawahi and Iyad al Jasasi had secured the silver in the boys’ U19 doubles. The Omani pair advanced to the final after defeating Qatar’s Taqi Al Din Najadat and Jad Al Baisani 3-2 in a closely contested semi-final. However, they lost 3-2 to Qatar’s Ahmed Qarni and Rawad Al Nasser.

Talia Al Rawahi, Salma Al Nasri and Fatma Al Balushi won bronze in the girls’ U13 team event while another bronze came in the girls’ U13 doubles, where Salma and Talia reached the semi-finals before losing 3-1 to Qatar’s Kinda Mahmoud and Hessa.