Oman
Racket Sports Committee Announces Diverse 2026 Calendar, International
Participation

Muscat,
20 Jan 2026 (ONA) — Dr. Abdulrahim Musallam Al Darwashi, Chairman of the Oman
Racket Sports Committee (ORSC), stated that the current year features a wide
array of tournaments, competitions, partnerships, and programs for badminton
and squash in the Sultanate of Oman.

He
noted that the busy local and international agenda, along with ambitious
developmental programs, is based on realistic data and rapid growth achieved in
a short period since the committee’s establishment.

In
a statement to Oman News Agency (ONA), Al Darwashi said the committee has set
an integrated calendar for 2026. This includes organizing several local and
international badminton and squash championships, alongside continued support
for youth categories through accredited training centers in Muscat. He also
announced a geographical expansion with the opening of two new training centers
in two other governorates, a move aimed at broadening the practice base and
cultivating a new generation of players.

He
explained that the agenda extends beyond competitions to include specialized
community initiatives, most notably the “Women’s Badminton” and “AirBadminton”
(outdoor) programs. These efforts are accompanied by an increase in coaching
and officiating courses to qualify national cadres for regional and
international levels, with special attention given to national team players
through external participations and both internal and external training camps.

Regarding
the spread of racket sports, Al Darwashi pointed out that the Board of
Directors has operated under a clear plan from the start, focusing first on
schools through badminton dissemination programs, then moving to public parks,
beaches, and parks. This strategy has helped the sports reach broader social
segments.

He
added that the committee activated its presence in summer programs through
initiatives like “Summer of Squash,” as well as programs implemented
in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth across various
governorates. He noted that the coming stage will see badminton and squash
included in the calendars of other government and private institutions, with
the continued organization of age-group championships based on deliberate
technical classifications over the next two years.

—Ends/AG