Tuesday 10 / February / 2026
Muscat: Said bin Rashid Al Qatabi, Chairman of the Oman Bowling Committee, has affirmed the body's ongoing commitment to cultivating the sport of bowling and solidifying its standing within the Sultanate of Oman. This drive is being realised through the implementation of robust technical and organisational initiatives designed to broaden participation and elevate competitive standards both domestically and internationally.
In a statement to the Oman News Agency (ONA), Al Qatabi revealed that the Committee's development programs have successfully engaged approximately 250 registered male and female bowlers across all age categories. This grassroots growth has been supported by a competitive calendar featuring 15 official domestic tournaments, supplemented by a series of promotional events specifically designed to scout and hone new talent.
Highlighting the sport's rising international profile, Al Qatabi noted that Omani national teams have competed in three prestigious Asian championships over the past two years, including tournaments sanctioned by the Asian Bowling Federation. This commitment to high-level competition has borne significant fruit, with national athlete Musab Al Adawi securing a landmark victory at the Singapore International Championship in the youth category. Al Adawi further underscored his rising stature by clinching the title at the Muscat International Bowling Nights Championship in 2025, achievements that collectively signal the sport's accelerating technical advancement in Oman.
He affirmed that the Committee is placing a strong emphasis on the long-term development of its national athletes. A key component of this strategy was a specialised training camp conducted this year at the Athletes Preparation Centre for Bowling in Malaysia, focusing on junior talent. Looking ahead, Al Qatabi outlined an ambitious agenda for the current year, which includes organising ten local championships across general, youth, and junior divisions. The centerpiece of this domestic circuit will be the highly anticipated General League Championship for Oman’s Bowling Clubs.
He pointed out that to ensure sustainable growth, the Committee is actively expanding the sport's footprint within the national sports club network. Bowling has already been successfully integrated into 18 clubs, with a strategic plan to increase this number significantly. This expansion will be bolstered by comprehensive technical and administrative support, alongside targeted introductory and training programs delivered in partnership with the clubs.
Addressing the path forward, Al Qatabi identified key challenges, emphasizing the need for enhanced infrastructure, including more certified bowling alleys, and the continued expansion of the player base. He stressed that achieving these critical objectives will rely heavily on the sustained support and partnership of relevant government authorities and the private sector.
In concluding his remarks, Al Qatabi expressed the Committee's resolute ambition to orchestrate a qualitative transformation for bowling in Oman in the years to come. He extended a call to clubs and the nation's youth to embrace the sport actively, inviting them to contribute to a new era of achievements that will mirror the broader ascendancy of Omani athletics.
