Latest news with #YounisalBattashi
Observer
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Observer
2nd Woodball Championship concludes with strong participation
The second activation tournament for Woodball, organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MoCSY) represented by the Amateur Sports Division within the Sports Activities Department concluded with the participation of 25 players representing five teams from six different governorates across the Sultanate of Oman. The closing ceremony was held under the auspices of Younis al Battashi, Director of the Human Resources Department at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth. The tournament spanned three days and took place across 12 courts at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher, prepared according to the standards of the International Woodball Federation. The championship included four main events: the individual stroke play, team stroke play, doubles knockout and individual knockout competitions. This year's edition showed a noticeable improvement in players' technical performance The event witnessed a high level of competition and notable performances. In the team stroke play event, the team of Mohammed al Nyadi, Yaqoub al Abrawi, Yousef al Hasani and Said al Roushdi clinched first place with impressive teamwork. The team of Abdullah al Saadi, Juma al Hinai, Salim al Hamadani and Naham al Yahyai secured second place. In the individual stroke play event, Abdullah al Saadi claimed first place with a total of 195 strokes, narrowly surpassing Mohammed al Nyadi, who placed second with 196 strokes. Yousef al Hasani finished third, followed by Hamad al Shaqsi in fourth and Adel al yadi in fifth place. The closing ceremony was held under the auspices of Younis al Battashi, Director of the Human Resources Department at MoCSY In the doubles knockout event, the duo of Salim al Hamadani and Juma al Hinai won the title with a strong and cohesive performance, while Fawzi al Sinani and Samir al Saadi secured second place. In the individual knockout category, Salim al Hamadani shone once again, securing first place, while Abdullah al Yahyai finished second. Following the tournament's conclusion, Mohammed al Niyadi, Head of the Amateur Sports Division at the MoCSY, stated that organising such championships aligns with the Ministry's efforts to promote the presence of Woodball in Oman and create an encouraging competitive environment for players from various categories. He noted that the sport has been practiced in Oman since 2007, but it still requires more support and wider recognition. The championship included four main events Al Niyadi emphasised that this year's edition showed a noticeable improvement in players' technical performance, as well as increased awareness of the game's rules and playing methods an encouraging sign of the Ministry's successful promotional efforts. He added that since the first edition, the MoCSY has been working to enhance the championship's technical and organisational aspects, including player classification, competition quality and participant diversity. With the growing interest in the game especially in Asia and Europe there is potential to establish an official committee dedicated to Woodball in Oman to ensure its sustainable development. The tournament spanned three days and took place across 12 courts at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex Meanwhile, Yaqoub al Abrawi expressed his delight at winning first place in the team event, noting that the team had previously competed internationally in Taiwan in 2019, where they ranked fourth globally. He highlighted the challenges facing the sport in Oman, such as limited institutional support, lack of regular training opportunities, and insufficient infrastructure, stressing the importance of holding regular local tournaments to nurture talent and motivate players. Salim al Hamadani, the individual knockout champion, spoke about the intense competition during the tournament, praising the players' performance and the event's organisation. He remarked that hosting such events contributes to increasing the sport's visibility in the Sultanate of Oman and noted that Woodball is easy to play in open environments like beaches, making it ideal for wider outreach. He called on relevant authorities to support and regularly organise such tournaments to enhance the sport's success. Said al Roushdi, a member of the winning team in the team stroke play event, said the competition was fierce and exciting, especially since most participants were experienced and well-versed in the game's rules and strategies. He emphasised that the real challenge lies not only in competition but also in the limited number of such tournaments. He stressed the need for these events to be held more frequently throughout the year due to the increasing interest in Woodball from various governorates across the Sultanate of Oman. He concluded by affirming that regular tournaments will improve player performance and expand the sport's fan base.
Observer
20-03-2025
- Observer
Ramadhan in the Wilayat of Sur
SUR: Oman has traditional souqs in its various towns and they provide a deep cultural insights of that distinct region. An example is the Sur Traditional Souq located in the heart of the city. The aromatic spices and fragrance from the perfume shops fill the air, and the gold and silver jewellery as well as the handcrafted artefacts are a delight to the eyes. The souq has a unique design with its narrow lanes and arches. Wandering around in the souq makes one wonder about the ancient history of the land filled with maritime adventures and voyages. The city's shipbuilding industry and carpentry that boasted magnificent wooden doors are still a pride adding to the city's characteristics. Younis al Battashi, a visitor to the souq, said, 'Sur Souq is distinguished as the old market in the Sultanate of Oman, as it is famous for everything that interests customers and tourists, with local and international products such as textiles, perfumes, electronics and tailoring for men, women and children. Because it is a popular market, visitors and customers from other wilayats come to stitch Omani clothes.' Ramadhan in the Wilayat of Sur Ramadhan in the Wilayat of Sur The social atmosphere in Sur during the holy month of Ramadhan is highly active, said Khalid al Mukhaini from Sur. 'Despite fasting throughout the day, people remain very busy, especially after the Asr prayer, when the markets become crowded with shoppers buying what they need. The bustle does not end but rather increases at night, keeping most shops open until late hours,' reflected Khalid. The sounds of prayers resonate between mosques and throughout the neighbourhoods. 'In any case, it is a blessed month in which people feel joy, and acts of worship increase, especially during the last ten days of Ramadhan, in preparation for Laylat Al Qadr and the approaching Eid day,' he pointed out. He explained that in the Islamic tradition, Laylat Al Qadr is a great night in which the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Ramadhan in the Wilayat of Sur Ramadhan in the Wilayat of Sur 'He instructed Muslims to seek it in the last ten nights of Ramadhan, especially on the odd-numbered nights. Many believe that it falls on the 27th night of Ramadhan, and people usually increase their worship and charitable acts on this night,' he noted. The Sultan Qaboos Mosque is prominent for its architecture and library. There are no confirmed records regarding the oldest mosque in Sur, but the Grand Mosque in Harat Al Fuwaris may have been the largest mosque in Sur in the past, according to Khalid. 'It was originally built through community collaboration and was later reconstructed. The Wilayat of Sur is one of the regions most dedicated to mosques, as they are spread everywhere, and people take special care in maintaining their cleanliness and upkeep,' he noted. The exact location of the oldest mosque in the wilayat is unknown due to the demolition and reconstruction of old mosques over the years. 'However, in the 1940s, the locals built a grand mosque in Harat Al Masfiyah, which was later reconstructed at the expense of Shaikh Suhail Bahwan decades ago. Additionally, the Uthman bin Affan Mosque is one of the largest, alongside the Sultan Qaboos Mosque in the Bilad Sur area,' he added. These mosques play a significant role in Quran memorisation and daily lectures, along with the various activities conducted by other mosques in the wilayat.
