Oman
International Table Tennis Championship Brings Together 200 Players from 34
Countries

Muscat,
13 Jan 2026 (ONA) — The Sultanate of Oman, represented by Oman Table Tennis
Association, will host the Oman International Contender Championship 2026
starting next Monday until 24 January 2026 at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex
in Bausher. The event is organized in cooperation with the International Table
Tennis Federation (ITTF) and World Table Tennis (WTT).

Approximately
200 male and female players representing 34 countries from various continents
are participating in the tournament, including Australia, the People’s Republic
of China, Chinese Taipei, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Italy, Kazakhstan,
Moldova, Nepal, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Serbia,
Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Türkiye, the United States of America,
Wales, Malaysia, Jordan, South Korea, alongside the Sultanate of Oman.

Through
hosting this event, the Oman Table Tennis Association continues its successive
successes in organizing international championships. Last year, it hosted two
international tournaments, the most recent being the Oman International
Contender (Star Contender category) in November, which saw the participation of
approximately 240 players and received widespread international attendance and
significant organizational acclaim.

Abdullah
Mohammed Bamkhalif, Chairman of Oman Table Tennis Association, stated: “Oman
International Contender Championship 2026 represents the opening international
tournament of the current year. It serves as an extension of the great success
achieved by the Star Contender Championship, which was held for the first time
in the Sultanate of Oman.”

He
explained that the international championships hosted by the Sultanate of Oman
have become officially accredited stops on the calendars of the ITTF and WTT,
noting that Oman Association has become accustomed to organizing and hosting
two international championships per year.

For
his part, Sajjad Mohammed Al Lawati, Vice Chairman of Oman Table Tennis
Association and Tournament Director, confirmed that final preparations for the
championship will be completed two days before the start of the competitions,
following the completion of technical, logistical, and operational readiness.
This includes preparing the main hall, installing the flooring and tables, and
activating additional lighting and internet services, along with other
technical requirements.

He
pointed out that the Association was keen to provide requirements that exceed
the minimum approved standards in a step aimed at presenting a distinguished
organizational edition. He emphasized that the tournament committees will work
to provide the best facilities for delegations and players, contributing to the
success of the event and delivering it to the highest international standards,
drawing on the cumulative experience of the Association members in organizing
international championships.

—Ends/AG