
Omani fighters gear up for FFC 3 on Friday
MUSCAT: The FFC 3 Boxing Championship will kick off on the evening of Friday, June 27, 2025, at the Sheraton Hotel — Muscat. The event is organised by FITBOX Club under the direct supervision of international coach Ali Bilal Kurdi, and in cooperation and supported by the Oman Committee for Martial Arts and Self-Defense, chaired by Dr Adil al Shanfari. Now in its third edition, the championship stands out as one of the most prominent sporting events of the year, noted for its high level of professionalism in organisation and the outstanding participation of young Omani fighters alongside elite local and international champions, who bring a global dimension to the competition. The main goal of the championship is to discover and develop Omani boxing talent, offering a genuine platform for young athletes to showcase their abilities as a pathway to representing Oman in regional and international arenas. It also gives participants the opportunity to engage with high-level competitors, which helps refine their skills and broaden their experience.
The event is organised by FITBOX Club under international coach Ali Bilal Kurdi
Through this event, the organisers aim to raise community awareness of the importance of martial arts and self-defense sports — not only as competitive activities but also as tools for building character, discipline and self-confidence. This makes them an ideal choice for youth development. FFC 3 is distinguished by hosting matches in accordance with approved international standards, which elevates the level of local competition and encourages participants to give their best. The event is overseen by Coach Ali Bilal Kurdi, whose presence is a major asset due to his extensive experience in the field. He also plays a key role in empowering Omani trainers and supervisors by offering practical training and professional development opportunities. The event is expected to feature professional organisation and attract a diverse audience of sports enthusiasts and martial arts fans, reflecting the growing popularity of these sports among Omani youth. This further underscores the need for more such events across various governorates of the Sultanate of Oman.
The championship gives participants the opportunity to engage with high-level competitors
Speaking about FFC 3, international coach and event organiser Ali Bilal Kurdi emphasised that this edition marks a qualitative leap in terms of organisation and technical level. He highlighted the wide participation of local and international champions, noting that the championship mirrors global events in terms of quality and standards. Kurdi stressed that the primary objective is to empower Omani youth and provide a genuine platform for showcasing their boxing talents, while also promoting the culture of martial arts in society for its role in character building, discipline, and self-confidence. He praised the promising Omani talents, affirming that the Sultanate of Oman possesses great potential that only needs consistent training and care.
The organisers aim to raise community awareness of the importance of martial arts and self-defense sports
He also encouraged young people to engage in self-defense sports as a lifestyle, while calling on the relevant authorities to continue supporting such initiatives that create the champions of tomorrow. FFC 3 is more than just a sporting event — it is a national platform for building champions and strengthening Oman's position on the regional martial arts map by supporting talent, empowering professionals, and nurturing a passion for sports within Omani society. It is worth noting that previous editions of the championship achieved remarkable success and broad participation, raising expectations that this edition will deliver new sporting achievements in both organisation and technical outcomes.
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14 hours ago
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FFC 3 Boxing Championship concludes with big excitement
The FFC 3 Boxing Championship, organised by FitBox Club in collaboration with the Oman Committee for Martial Arts and Self-Defense, concluded on Friday evening with resounding success. The event, held in a vibrant atmosphere, drew significant public and media attention, underscoring the growing popularity of combat sports in Oman. The championship took place at the Sheraton Hotel – Muscat, under the auspices of Faisal bin Abdullah al Rawas, Chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI). Also in attendance were Shaikh Adel bin Said al Shanfari, Chairman of the Oman Committee for Martial Arts and Self-Defense, along with sports enthusiasts and business leaders. Their presence sent a clear message of support for national talent and strategic investments in the sports sector. Jordan's Salman claimed victory and the belt INTENSE FIGHTS AND HIGH-PROFILE PARTICIPATION The event featured 20 boxers of various nationalities competing in 10 thrilling bouts, including two championship fights for the FFC belt. In the first title bout, Jordan's Salman claimed victory and the belt, while the second ended in a rare draw after four intense rounds, showcasing the fighters' equal prowess. The other eight bouts included competitive ranking matches, exhibition fights by rising boxers, and international versus local matchups, all delivered with a high level of professionalism. Several bouts stood out for their intensity and outcome. Marc from India (FitBox) won by knockout in the second round, while Niraj from India (Two C Club) won by points. Mahmoud from Jordan (FitBox) claimed a TKO in the second round, and Syria's Bashar secured a second-round knockout. Oman's own Muner shined with a second-round KO, while Ziaullah from Afghanistan (FitBox) scored a first-round knockout. Mahmoud from Egypt also sealed his win with a first-round KO. On the other hand, Yousuf from Oman (Tamarn Sur Club) participated in a bout that was not counted due to non-compliance with World Boxing Federation regulations. Ali Bilal Kerdi, international coach and organiser of FFC 3 honoured by OCCI Chairman ORGANISER'S REFLECTIONS AND HIGHLIGHTS Ali Bilal Kerdi, international coach and organiser of FFC 3, expressed pride in the championship's success, calling it a major milestone for professional boxing in Oman. This event achieved its objectives, especially in showcasing local talent and attracting international fighters who elevated the technical level of the competition, he said. Kerdi highlighted several key positives from the event, including the discipline of the fighters, adherence to weigh-ins and schedules, enthusiastic audience turnout — especially during the final bouts and technical improvements such as lighting, refereeing, and ring setup. He noted that the third edition showed significant organisational maturity compared to previous ones, particularly in fighter entrances and logistics. The event also included unexpected results, with underdogs like Jordan's Salman seizing the spotlight by winning the FFC belt with an impressive performance. The second title bout, ending in a draw, was one of the most exciting moments of the night. Syria's Bashar secured a second-round knockout POSITIVE FEEDBACK AND LOOKING AHEAD Kerdi shared that participant feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with international fighters praising the high level of organisation and punctuality, while local boxers expressed pride in the championship's development and their eagerness to return for future editions. Looking ahead, Kerdi revealed that preparations for FFC 4 are already underway, with plans to expand the participant base, increase the number of fights, and further elevate the competition's standard. In closing, Kerdi thanked all sponsors and partners for their vital support, especially Sheraton Oman (official host), Platinumlist (ticketing partner), and companies such as Yenaier, Muscat Steel, Space Makers, Adlife Hospital, Link & Co, Edraak, Adenti, Oasis Water, Zubair Group, the Oman Committee for Martial Arts and Self-Defense, WBC, Athar Company, Kate Kerdi Interiors, and FitBox Club. 'To everyone who contributed to the success of FFC 3 sponsors, partners, and institutions thank you for your invaluable support,' Kerdi said. We promise that the upcoming editions will be even more advanced, with a stronger showcase for boxing in Oman and across the region.


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2 days ago
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Basketball team begin camp ahead of Asia Qualifiers
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Observer
4 days ago
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Omani fighters gear up for FFC 3 on Friday
MUSCAT: The FFC 3 Boxing Championship will kick off on the evening of Friday, June 27, 2025, at the Sheraton Hotel — Muscat. The event is organised by FITBOX Club under the direct supervision of international coach Ali Bilal Kurdi, and in cooperation and supported by the Oman Committee for Martial Arts and Self-Defense, chaired by Dr Adil al Shanfari. Now in its third edition, the championship stands out as one of the most prominent sporting events of the year, noted for its high level of professionalism in organisation and the outstanding participation of young Omani fighters alongside elite local and international champions, who bring a global dimension to the competition. The main goal of the championship is to discover and develop Omani boxing talent, offering a genuine platform for young athletes to showcase their abilities as a pathway to representing Oman in regional and international arenas. It also gives participants the opportunity to engage with high-level competitors, which helps refine their skills and broaden their experience. The event is organised by FITBOX Club under international coach Ali Bilal Kurdi Through this event, the organisers aim to raise community awareness of the importance of martial arts and self-defense sports — not only as competitive activities but also as tools for building character, discipline and self-confidence. This makes them an ideal choice for youth development. FFC 3 is distinguished by hosting matches in accordance with approved international standards, which elevates the level of local competition and encourages participants to give their best. The event is overseen by Coach Ali Bilal Kurdi, whose presence is a major asset due to his extensive experience in the field. He also plays a key role in empowering Omani trainers and supervisors by offering practical training and professional development opportunities. The event is expected to feature professional organisation and attract a diverse audience of sports enthusiasts and martial arts fans, reflecting the growing popularity of these sports among Omani youth. This further underscores the need for more such events across various governorates of the Sultanate of Oman. The championship gives participants the opportunity to engage with high-level competitors Speaking about FFC 3, international coach and event organiser Ali Bilal Kurdi emphasised that this edition marks a qualitative leap in terms of organisation and technical level. He highlighted the wide participation of local and international champions, noting that the championship mirrors global events in terms of quality and standards. Kurdi stressed that the primary objective is to empower Omani youth and provide a genuine platform for showcasing their boxing talents, while also promoting the culture of martial arts in society for its role in character building, discipline, and self-confidence. He praised the promising Omani talents, affirming that the Sultanate of Oman possesses great potential that only needs consistent training and care. The organisers aim to raise community awareness of the importance of martial arts and self-defense sports He also encouraged young people to engage in self-defense sports as a lifestyle, while calling on the relevant authorities to continue supporting such initiatives that create the champions of tomorrow. FFC 3 is more than just a sporting event — it is a national platform for building champions and strengthening Oman's position on the regional martial arts map by supporting talent, empowering professionals, and nurturing a passion for sports within Omani society. It is worth noting that previous editions of the championship achieved remarkable success and broad participation, raising expectations that this edition will deliver new sporting achievements in both organisation and technical outcomes.