Horse parade on Friday to celebrate HM's Accession Day
The event, organised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in cooperation with the Oman From Horseback team, aims to showcase Oman's equestrian heritage while bringing together the community in a national celebration.
The parade will begin at 8am in front of Majlis Oman in the Bustan area of Muscat. The riders will travel through some of the capital's most iconic locations, including Qasr Al Alam Palace Street and Muttrah Corniche, before concluding at Shatti al Qurm beach near the Mandarin Oriental Hotel at around 4pm.
Participants will wear jackets bearing the parade's slogan, 'Our Sultan Haitham, the Renewer of the Omani Renaissance', while carrying Omani flags and singing national songs.
Saif Ali al Rawahi, the event supervisor, said the closing ceremony at Shatti al Qurm will feature a series of festive activities, including a paragliding display where multiple paragliders will soar through the sky carrying images of His Majesty and Omani flags. 'It will be a striking visual tribute to His Majesty and a proud moment for all attendees,' he said.
To make the event inclusive for families, a special children's corner will be set up, featuring face painting and interactive sessions with mini horses that young visitors can ride.
'We want this to be a celebration for all ages, where everyone can take part in the joy of the occasion,' Rawahi said.
He encouraged both citizens and residents to join in, stating, 'The more people who come out to celebrate, the more it strengthens our sense of unity as a nation. This is a national event, and we want as many people as possible to feel part of it.'
Looking ahead, Rawahi revealed that similar events are being planned throughout the year.
A horse parade in Jabal Akhdar during the summer will highlight the beauty of Oman's highlands, while equestrian marches in Salalah during the Khareef season will promote the southern region's tourism appeal.
'Our goal is to not only honour our equestrian culture but also to showcase Oman's breathtaking landscapes and encourage more young people to take up horseback riding,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
4 hours ago
- Observer
Queiroz proud to lead Oman as new coach
MUSCAT: The newly appointed head coach Carlos Queiroz expressed his deep sense of pride and responsibility in leading Oman's national senior football team, calling it a 'great gratitude and huge honour' to be entrusted with such a role. This statement was part of his first official interview published in different channels of the social media accounts of Oman Football Association (OFA) following his appointment and official signing function which took place earlier this week at OFA headquarter in Seeb Stadium. The veteran Portuguese tactician highlighted during the interview passionately about his ambitions, strategic approach and message to Oman's audience and fans. Acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead, Queiroz stated in his initial remarks, 'I understand it is a huge challenge and it is not an easy task. However, it can be better challenge through our work and clear commitment. In my definition, it could be easy and simple as well. At the end of the challenges, you will feel the sweat as the reward after achieving the target through hard work in smart way.' As Red Warriors are gearing up for the decisive final round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to the Fifa World Cup 2026, Queiroz outlined his roadmap to success. ' My plan is to study the current situation thoroughly by reviewing the team, assessing the players, gathering detailed information about our opponents beside building the best preparation plan for our squad. In addition to that, Smart planning, clear goals, team discipline, and ambition will form the core of the best technical strategy, ' he added Coach Queiroz also delivered a heartfelt message to the Omani fans, calling on them to become an active force in the team's journey. 'Be the player No. 12. Wear the national team shirt not only during matches but also during training moments. You are the power behind the team.' Carlos Queiroz, who signed a one-year contract with OFA earlier this week, will bring with him a wealth of global coaching experience. Under his leadership, Red Warriors will enter the forthcoming playoff stage of the Asian qualifiers — Road to 26 with top ambitious as Oman aim for its first-ever appearance at the Fifa World Cup. A press conference has been scheduled for the new coach and his assisting team on August 5 where Coach Queiroz will unveil his full technical program and plans leading up to October's qualifiers.
Observer
4 hours ago
- Observer
First coffee farm opens in Jabal ShamsFirst coffee farm opens in Jabal Shams
MUSCAT: In a strategic move to develop high — altitude agriculture and expand Oman's specialty crop portfolio, Coffee Farm Company, led by founder and CEO Said al Wardi, has launched a commercial coffee cultivation project in Jabal Shams. The initiative aims to plant 6,000 coffee seedlings by 2027, positioning Oman as a potential producer of high-quality Arabica coffee. The project began with the planting of 300 seedlings of the Yemeni Udaini variety, one of the world's oldest and most prized Arabica strains. The number is expected to rise to 5,000 seedlings in 2026 and reach 6,000 the following year. The crop is being cultivated at elevations considered critical for specialty-grade coffee, with Jabal Shams offering the right combination of altitude, temperature and humidity. 'The climate in Oman's highlands is more suitable for coffee than many people realise', said Al Wardi. 'This isn't about hobby farming, it's a serious agricultural and economic opportunity aligned with national goals'. The project is among the first of its kind in the Sultanate of Oman. While coffee is not native to Oman, the country's mountainous regions, especially in Al Dakhiliyah and Dhofar — have shown promising results in experimental cultivation. One of the early challenges faced by the company was acquiring viable coffee seedlings. 'Most countries classify coffee as a strategic crop and restrict seed exports', Al Wardi explained. 'We overcame this by propagating seedlings locally in Salalah and Bahla'. To ensure sustainable expansion, the company has partnered with Nakheel Oman Development Company and the Agricultural Research Centre in Qummah, which are supporting the development of tissue-cultured plants to scale the operation. In parallel, Coffee Farm Company is investing in agri-tourism infrastructure. Plans are underway to establish a coffee visitor experience site in Jabal Shams, where tourists will be able to tour the plantations, participate in harvest activities and visit a Coffee Museum located near the popular viewpoint Shurfat Al Nakhr. 'This initiative is not just about agriculture. It's about integrating farming, tourism and heritage into one value chain', Al Wardi said. The company will market its coffee under the name Bunn Al Madar, inspired by the traditional clay dallah used for brewing coffee in Oman. The brand already produces roasted beans and capsules; and aims to build a strong 'Made in Oman' identity. The project supports Oman Vision 2040 objectives, which prioritise agricultural innovation, economic diversification and the development of non-oil sectors, particularly in rural and mountainous areas. 'This is just the beginning', Al Wardi said. 'With the right support and continued experimentation, Omani coffee can become a recognised name in the regional and global market'.
Observer
4 hours ago
- Observer
OTA launches intensive summer training in Egypt
MUSCAT: As part of the Oman Tennis Association's (OTA) efforts to prepare players for international competitions and enhance their technical levels, 14 male and female players are currently participating in a summer training camp in the Arab Republic of Egypt. This camp is part of the association's comprehensive preparation program, which targets various age groups. The camp will be conducted in two phases. The first phase runs from July 26 to August 15, while the second phase will be held from August 2 to 15. The training sessions are hosted at the 'Shamas Tennis Club Academy,' which is recognised as one of the top training institutions in the region. This camp falls under the association's broader strategy, led by President Mutasim al Zadjali, to develop and refine the skills of national team players, with the goal of enabling them to compete effectively in regional and international tournaments and increase their continental and global ranking points. The first phase includes players from the Under-14 and Under-18 categories. The Under-14 roster features Azan al Busaidy, Moataz al Mazrouei, Abdulrahman al Rahbi, Talia al Busaidy, Areen al Azkawi, and Salma al Riyami. This group is specifically preparing for the Arab Tennis Championship, which will take place in Tunisia from August 16 to 24, 2025. In the Under-18 category, participants include Waleed al Hashmi and Aisha al Busaidy. The delegation is overseen by coach Sarah al Balushi from the Oman Tennis Association (OTA). The second phase includes players in the Under-10 and Under-12 categories: Omar al Shaibani, Hatem al Rahbi, Hood al Hashmi, Mundhir al Amri, Imad al Rahbi, and Reema al Hashmi. The training programme at the Shamas Tennis Club Academy includes both morning and evening sessions, five days a week (Sunday through Thursday). It focuses on technical, physical, and mental development, including skill drills, physical fitness, cognitive exercises, friendly matches, and nutrition sessions under expert supervision. Mundhir al Barwani, Secretary-General of the Oman Tennis Association (OTA), stated that the association has consistently organised such training camps annually due to their significant role in enhancing players' technical abilities and preparing them to represent the national teams effectively. He emphasised that age-group players, especially those under 14, benefit from these preparatory programmes. He noted that the current camp serves as preparation for the upcoming Arab Championship in Tunisia and confirmed that the remaining players will also have opportunities to compete in upcoming regional and international events. Al Barwani also highlighted the association's commitment to developing national team players by increasing their international exposure and organising high-quality training camps that help refine their talents. He added that Omani teams have participated in several international tournaments across various age groups recently and are preparing for upcoming challenges. He concluded by expressing the association's intention to host more tournaments, building on the successful organisation of several events in past years.
