Mutassim Al Zadjali to seek another term as Oman Tennis Association chairman

Muscat: Mutassim Al Zadjali is hoping to continue as the chairman of the Oman Tennis Association (OTA) for another four-year term with the main objective of carrying on the good work done by the current board members for the development of Oman tennis.
The Sultanate’s tennis body is set to organise the General Assembly on November 17 when the members will also elect the new board members for the 2016-20 term.
The OTA has already started the process to conduct the elections by accepting the nominations for the various posts from Sunday.
With the filling of nominations set to end on September 27, Mutassim Al Zadjali has expressed his desire to continue as the chairman for another four years.
Speaking to Times Sport on Tuesday, Mutassim said: “I have decided to seek another term as the OTA chairman.”
Mutassim, who will be filing his nominations in a day or two, said: “I hope to win the confidence of clubs and the general assembly members. We would like to carry on the good work we have been doing as a team in the past and work for the further development of Oman tennis.”
If Mutassim succeeds in his endeavour it will be his second term as the ‘elected’ chairman of the Oman tennis governing body.
Mutassim, an experienced sports administrator who had worked for various sports committees including as the treasurer of Oman Olympic Committee, also served as the acting chairman of the OTA before being elected as chairman for the current term.
Asked whether he is expecting any challengers, Mutassim said: “There is a talk but officially I have not heard of anyone contesting for the post. Let’s us see what happens in the next few days.”
According to sources, there are two candidates who are hoping to challenge Mutassim.
But it remains to be seen, in case they finalise their plans, if they will be able to unseat the incumbent as amiable and soft-spoken Mutassim has endeared himself with not just the association officials but also with those in the clubs.
Fierce contest
While it is to be seen if anybody will come forward to challenge Mutassim for the chairmanship, the indications are the contest for vice-chairman’s post is going to be a fierce one.
According to information received from OTA, Abdullah bin Ali, a member of the current board, has decided to contest for the post of vice-chairman. Abdullah, who is also the chairman of the OTA Marketing and Media Committee, has already filed his nomination papers.
According to sources, he will be challenging the current vice-chairman Salim Abubacker.
A representative of Al Nasr Club, Salim Abubacker, who was elected unopposed last time, is expected to file his nominations in the coming days.