Oman's participation in the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, beyond merely being present at a major international sports event, is seen as a valuable platform for developing emerging talents and strengthening the country's Olympic objectives. This was stated by Engineer Khalfan bin Saleh Al Nabhani, a member of the Board of Directors of the Oman Olympic Committee and head of the Oman delegation in Dakar.
Opportunities for Advancement for Young Omani Athletes
Al Nabhani announced that the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) provide young Omani athletes with an important opportunity to assess themselves against some of the best competitors in the world, gain experience, and familiarize themselves with various sports systems. He emphasized that the value of participating in these competitions cannot be measured solely by medals or immediate results, but also includes technical, educational, and personal development resulting from competing on international stages.
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He said: "Oman's presence at the Youth Olympic Games reflects the commitment of the Oman Olympic Committee to maintain the country's presence in major regional and international events, while also providing opportunities for young athletes to gain experience and compete with talented athletes from various sports schools around the world."
Valuable Experiences and Cultural Education
Al Nabhani also referred to the extensive educational aspect of these games and urged Omani athletes to make good use of their time in the Olympic Village, interact with competitors from other countries, and learn about different cultures. He stated that the Olympic Village provides a unique environment for athletes from individual and team sports and promotes the values of friendship, respect, tolerance, and cultural exchange.
He expressed hope that the Omani delegation would perform at its best and represent the Sultanate of Oman honorably throughout the competitions.
Meanwhile, Hamid bin Sulaiman Al Hasani, a young Omani swimmer, is preparing for his first appearance at a major Olympic event. The 15-year-old swimmer is currently focusing on the men's 400-meter freestyle. According to the initial schedule, he was supposed to participate in the 800-meter freestyle as well, but this event was canceled due to concerns about high water temperatures at the competition venue.
This change has not deterred Al Hasani from his training, and he is now focused on making the most of this remaining opportunity in Dakar and improving his personal best time of 4:27 in the 400-meter freestyle.
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