National Debating Championship launched in Oman
The championship seeks to equip young people with skills in persuasion and critical thinking, while encouraging healthy competition and promoting the ethics of dialogue. It also aims to highlight debates as a key educational tool that enhances teaching methods and helps students analyse social issues through logical reasoning.
Organisers hope it will prepare a generation capable of engaging responsibly with local and global challenges. Preliminary training sessions will begin on Monday, covering fundamentals such as debating basics, argument construction, rebuttals, and case analysis. Participants will also learn techniques for structured presentations.
This year's edition features a revised format for the qualifying rounds, divided into three regional stages. The first will take place at the Arab Open University in Muscat on April 11 and will include teams from Muscat, Dakhliyah, South Batinah, North Sharqiyah and South Sharqiyah.
The second round will be hosted by the University of Buraimi on April 18, featuring teams from North Batinah, Dhahirah, Buraimi and Musandam. The third stage will be held at Dhofar University on April 21, involving teams from Al Wusta and Dhofar. School-level qualifiers will be conducted virtually to select finalists.
Hilal bin Saif al Siyabi, Director General of Youth at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, said the championship is one of the ministry's flagship events aimed at developing young people's skills in public speaking and expression. 'Year after year, we see progress in the quality of participation and the growing reach of the competition. This shows the importance of the initiative in preparing a generation capable of engaging in dialogue with logic and objectivity,' he said.
Nasser bin Humaid al Hinai, CEO of the Oman Debate Centre, added that the tournament is part of an effort to foster leadership among youth through structured discussion. 'We aim to build a generation capable of contributing to society through objective dialogue. In addition to official matches, participants will benefit from intensive training sessions,' he said.
The championship will see over 272 debaters from 68 teams compete, including 28 teams from cultural and sports clubs and 40 representing educational institutions. The finalists will go on to compete for the national title and the opportunity to represent Oman in international championships.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
2 days ago
- Observer
'Club Cultural Innovation Competition' concludes
MUSCAT: The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth on Tuesday celebrated the conclusion of the second stage of Muscat Governorate's 'Club Cultural Innovation Competition' for the 2024/2025 season. Khalfan bin Mohammed al Abri, Director of Exhibition Affairs Department at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, said that the contest (now in its 6th edition) saw strong competition among representatives of Muscat Governorate clubs. This ardent engagement indicates that the competition has achieved its desired goal of showcasing and honing youth talents. Al Abri pointed out that the contestants competed for distinction in 7 categories of the competition: one-to-one debates, music, chanting, sports commentary, classical and folk poetry, innovation and entrepreneurship. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the winners of the top three places in the seven categories were felicitated. - ONA
Observer
13-07-2025
- Observer
Second Military Discipline Programme launched in Dhofar
SALALAH: The second edition of the Military Discipline Programme began on Sunday in Dhofar Governorate. Organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, with support from various military and security agencies as well as other government institutions. More than 850 students from across the Sultanate of Oman participated in the programme. Running until August 6, the programme includes lectures on military discipline and organisation, first aid, teamwork, leadership techniques and military sciences, along with awareness sessions on various social topics. It also features diverse sports and scouting competitions. In addition, specialised workshops on citizenship, belonging, artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship aim to nurture modern leadership thinking and enhance the personal and community skills of participants. Following its remarkable success in its first edition last year, this year's programme continues with an expanded vision to shape a generation of Omani youth who are disciplined, aware and equipped with strong leadership qualities, a deep sense of national belonging and loyalty. Lieutenant Colonel Air Force Hussein bin Mohammed al Ajmi, Director of the Military Discipline Programme, highlighted the programme's focus on cognitive and behavioural development through integrated activities. He noted that it aims to instil the values of military discipline, build character, enhance leadership skills, and improve both physical and mental fitness. - ONA
Observer
13-07-2025
- Observer
Oman sailors travel to Poland for Asian Games
MUSCAT: Oman's 49er Performance Team, supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MoCSY), will be competing in the 49er, 49erFX, and Nacra 17 Open Polish Championships as part of preparations for the Asian Games 2026. With the Games getting underway in just over 12 months' time, the duo of Musab al Hadi and Waleed al Kindi will travel to Gdynia, Poland, for five days of racing from 14-18 June 2025 with two days of practice before competition begins. Hashim al Rashdi, Oman Sail's Head Coach Performance, said 'Participation in the 49er, 49erFX, and Nacra 17 Open Polish Championships is a key component of our strategy for the 49er Performance Team. Our ultimate goal is to win a medal in sailing for Oman at the Olympic Games, and with the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games just over three years away, we have to expose our sailors to a high calibre of competition in order to improve. These championships are another opportunity to improve, to learn and to fulfil this objective.' Jacek Nowal, 49er Coach, added, 'This is an important step on our road to the Asian Games 2026 in Japan. Our sailors have the opportunity to compete against and learn from some of the very best in the world in a very high-level championship. We aim to use this event to acclimatise our sailors to the levels we are aiming for, to maximise their strengths and learn to overcome the challenges most commonly encountered on the water ahead of the Asian Games 2026, which is likely to be a qualification event for the LA28 Olympic Games.' The 49er, 49erFX, and Nacra 17 Open Polish Championships are organised by the Polish Yachting Association. A maximum of 15 races will be sailed across the five days of the event, with the medal races scheduled for Friday 18 July 2025. The event is held as part of the 26 the annual Gdynia Sailing Days festival, one of the largest and most prestigious sailing festivals in Europe – lasting 20 days. Located on the Baltic Sea, the port city boasts a rich maritime history and a growing reputation as a sailing destination. Gdynia will also host the World Sailing Championships in 2027, which will also be a qualification event for the LA28 Olympic Games.
