Sultanate's tennis team, which also comprises Davis Cup players Mohammed Al Nabhani and Saleh Al Zadjali as well as star player Fatma Al Nabhani and Sarah Al Balushi, begin their campaign today. While they will be in action in the morning, weightlifters Mohammed Sultan Al Marhoobi, Muhanna Mohammed Al Abdali and Suhail Mahfood Ali Al Kulaibi, are scheduled to compete in the evening.
The two Omani beach volleyball teams will start their participation tomorrow and so will the athletic team. In athletics the Sultanate can realistically look forward for a medal with star sprinter Barakat Al Harthy, a 100m bronze medallist in the Guangzhou Asian Games, among their ranks.
Meanwhile, an official of the Oman Olympic Committee (OOC) said all the participating teams are ready for the competition through training sessions and technical meetings. The official also revealed that Oman athletics, tennis and weightlifting teams faced some problems in registering their entries some competitions but it the problems were sorted out thanks to the great efforts made by the mission officials.
The OOC officials also said that Omani teams seek to bag medals during today's proceedings, when a number of medals will be up grabs in various competitions, including weightlifting.
Earlier, OOC Chairman Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed Al Zubair met the Omani mission at the Athletes Village in the presence of General Secretary Taha Al Kishry and other members. During his speech, he exhorted all the teams and athletes to give their best and try to win laurels for the country.
Al Zubair also talked about the importance of the participation and the objectives set out in the community of the Muslim world under one umbrella.
Al Zubair added that the Games are aimed at create harmony, love and peace among nations.
He also said that 'we are partners in the development of sport in Oman and its future through the efforts of everyone in the representation of the Sultanate in such international competitions'.
At the conclusion of his speech, he lauded the efforts of the mission administration in facilitating the requirements of the athletes and the other officials.
Meanwhile, Said Al Harthy, Oman shooting team coach, expressed shocked over the exclusion of a number of national team players from the list of participants despite the fact that the mission has officially registered the list, which was approved by the Organising Committee. An emergency meeting was held between the athletes mission and Oman chef de mission Ahmed Al Balushi to discuss the issue.
Then Al Balushi met the organising committee to sort out the issue, following which the committee also issued an apology.
The Omani athletes and tennis teams also complained about the quality of food being served at the hotel in which they are staying. But it was also solved thanks to the efforts of OOC General Secretary Taha Al Kishry.
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