Tuesday 11 / August / 2026
Oman Olympic Committee (OOC), represented by Oman Athletes' Commission, organized the Elite Athletes' Forum for athletes taking part in the 20th Asian Games (Aichi-Nagoya 2026). The forum was held yesterday, Tuesday, at the IntercityHotel Al Khuwair, with the participation of athletes and the administrative and technical staff of the national teams that will represent the Sultanate of Oman at the Games.
The forum forms part of OOC efforts to enhance the readiness of athletes competing at the Asian Games and to equip them with the knowledge and information needed to support their participation and ensure they represent the Sultanate of Oman in the best possible manner, while also strengthening direct communication between the athletes, the Oman Athletes' Commission and the relevant stakeholders.
The Sultanate of Oman will compete at the Games with ten national teams, in athletics, taekwondo, shooting, hockey, golf, fencing, cricket, weightlifting, sailing and beach volleyball.
The forum covered a range of awareness and knowledge-based themes addressing the sporting, administrative, health, psychological and rights-related aspects of athletes' participation in major sporting events. These included raising athletes' awareness of their rights and duties in line with the principles of the Olympic Movement, promoting a culture of athlete safeguarding and the provision of a safe sporting environment, raising awareness of anti-doping and compliance with the relevant international rules and regulations, as well as strengthening psychological preparedness and the management of the pressures associated with major competitions.
The forum also sought to familiarize athletes with administrative procedures, travel arrangements and the official representation of the Sultanate of Oman, and to clarify roles and responsibilities and raise levels of readiness before and during the Games.
The programme featured a variety of presentations and awareness and discussion sessions addressing a number of themes related to athletes' readiness for the Asian Games. Wafa bint Saif Al Samri, member of the Oman Athletes' Commission, delivered an introductory presentation on the Commission, its mandate and remit, and its role in communicating with athletes and following up on matters concerning them.
Shuaib bin Mohammed Al Zadjali, certified Doping Control Officer and member and rapporteur of the Oman Anti-Doping Committee, presented an awareness session on anti-doping, addressing the importance of complying with international anti-doping rules and regulations and raising athletes' awareness of their responsibilities in safeguarding the integrity of sporting competition.
Salim bin Mohammed Al Rawahi, OOC Legal Researcher, addressed the theme of safeguarding in sport, reviewing its concept, the importance of awareness of the relevant procedures, and the channels available for dealing with the various cases and practices that may affect the safety of all those concerned with safeguarding in sport.
Dr. Afrah bint Hamoud Al Jabri, member of Oman Sports Medicine Committee, delivered a session on nutrition and athletes' mental health, highlighting the importance of proper nutrition in supporting athletic performance, alongside the psychological aspects associated with competition, stress management and coping with the demands of participating in major championships.
Dr. Ishaq bin Ahmed Al Balushi, Director of Oman Olympic Academy, addressed the theme of sporting achievement and high performance, reviewing the aspects involved in developing performance levels and the importance of preparation, planning and consistency in an athlete's journey towards advanced competitive levels.
Asaad bin Mubarak Al Hasani, Vice-Chairman of Oman Athletes' Commission, presented the theme of athletes' rights and duties, outlining the principal rights enjoyed by athletes and the duties and responsibilities incumbent upon them, and the importance of awareness of these aspects in strengthening their active and responsible participation within the sporting system.
Mohammed bin Hamad Al Rahbi, Chef de Mission of the Omani sports delegation to the Games, gave a presentation on the delegation's administrative, logistical and organizational matters, addressing the key procedures and arrangements relating to participation and the organizational and logistical aspects concerning athletes and delegation members.
The programme concluded with an open discussion session with the athletes, providing them with a space to engage, raise questions and discuss the various matters relating to their participation in the Asian Games, as well as to exchange views and raise challenges and needs with the Oman Athletes' Commission and the relevant stakeholders.
This forum comes as part of OOC efforts to support athletes and equip them with the knowledge required to meet the demands of participating in major championships, to raise awareness of the responsibilities and rights associated with representing the Sultanate of Oman, and to enhance their readiness to deal with the various challenges they may face during competition.
