Oman’s Asian Games campaign gathers pace

Muscat: Oman’s participation in the 20th Asian Games continued on Sunday, with the shooting team in action, the beach volleyball squad preparing for its opening match and the national cricket team arriving for its historic Asian Games debut.Omani shooters Amina bint Khamis Al Tarshiya and Al Anoud bint Abdullah Al Khalili bowed out of the women’s 10m air rifle qualification at the Aichi General Shooting Range on Sunday. China’s Zifei Wang topped the qualification with 636.8 points, followed by South Korea’s Hyojin Ban (634.9) and India’s Sonam Uttam (634.1). Al Anoud Al Khalili finished 43rd with 619.3 points, while Amina Al Tarshiya was 49th with 614.9.Oman’s Hamad bin Said Al Khatri and Khalid bin Mohammed Al Kalbani will compete in the men’s 10m air rifle qualification on Monday.The beach volleyball team B, comprising Ahmed Al Hosni and Khalfan Al Maamari, will make its debut against Thailand at the Hekinan Ryokuchi Beach Volleyball Court on Monday.Oman will then face Iran and Timor-Leste on September 23 and 26. Team A, featuring Mazin Al Hashmi and Hood Al Jalboobi, will play the Philippines and Qatar on September 24 and 27.Abdullah bin Mohammed Bamkhalaf, Secretary-General of the Oman Olympic Committee, said Oman’s national teams entered the Games with practical ambitions and that the participation carried significance beyond medal results.He said the Games provide Omani athletes with an opportunity to compete against Asia’s best, gain experience and measure the progress achieved. Bamkhalaf also highlighted the early arrival and training camps held in Japan by teams including hockey and sailing to adapt to local conditions.He described Oman’s cricket participation as a historic milestone, marking the national team’s first appearance at the Asian Games, while also highlighting the significance of an Oman side made entirely up of Omani players.The Oman Olympic delegation was also visited by Asian Olympic Council President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani and International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry. The visit focused on the delegation’s administrative arrangements, athletes’ needs and measures to ensure suitable conditions for competition.The national weightlifting team will arrive for the Games on Monday. The weightlifting team comprises Murshid Al Aji and Elias Al Tamimi.