Wednesday 12 / November / 2025
MUSCAT- The Oman Billiards and Snooker Committee (OBSC) announced the Sultanate’s full readiness to host the World Snooker Doubles Championship (Men’s & Teams), which will take place from November 15–23 at Active Oman Centre, Oman Automobile Association, under the supervision of the International Billiards and Snooker Federation, and with the support of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, Sohar International Bank, and Active Oman.
The announcement came during a press conference held on Tuesday evening with the participation of Khalid Al Subhi, OBSC Chairman, Hamoud Al Harthi, OBSC Secretary General, Ahmed Nasser Al Hadi, national team manager, and Qadeer Abbas, national team coach.
Al Subhi revealed that the championship will officially kick off on Saturday under the patronage of H.H. Sayyid Kamil bin Fahd Al Said, in an opening ceremony featuring a lineup of the world’s top snooker players, attended by officials and a large audience.
The nine-day event will feature elite international players competing for a total prize pool of US$60,000, reflecting Oman’s organisational excellence and growing stature as a global sporting destination.
Al Subhi confirmed that preparations are fully complete, noting that all facilities are ready and that ten competition tables have been approved.
The Omani national team is in full readiness, and eight Omani referees will officiate matches alongside international referees. The championship will feature 23 countries and 74 players representing the world’s best.
He expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, Sohar International Bank, and the committee’s working team.
Al Subhi emphasised that hosting the championship is expected to bring economic and tourism benefits, boosting hotels, restaurants, and transport services, while also promoting Oman as a leading sports and tourism hub.
He added that a comprehensive media plan has been established, with live broadcasting of matches on YouTube channels from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., divided into three daily sessions, and real-time updates of results.
The venue will accommodate 80–100 spectators, with Mwasalat providing player transportation.
Looking ahead, Al Subhi revealed plans to form a women’s snooker division in 2026, in coordination with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, including the appointment of a female member to the committee and the establishment of a national women’s team.
During the conference, the official logo for the championship was unveiled. Hamoud Al Harthi explained that the logo embodies the spirit of the tournament, blending global professionalism with Omani cultural identity, thus reflecting the Sultanate's prominent position as a destination for hosting major sporting events.
National coach Qadeer Abbas said that the team enters the tournament highly motivated and well-prepared after a three-month intensive training camp involving 14–15 young players who showed strong commitment.
Teams: Oman doubles: Team 1: Omar Al Busaidi & Ahmed Al Khusaibi, and Team 2: Taha Al Khusaibi & Abdullah Al Raisi and Team 3: Hussain Al Lawati & Haitham Al Mahri.
Oman singles: Taha Al Khusaibi, Omar Al Busaidi, Haitham Al Mahri, Hussain Al Lawati, Sadiq Al Farsi, Qasim Al Balushi, Musalim Al Mashali, Hassan al Harthi, Ahmed Al Khusaibi, and Abdullah Al Raisi.
