Tuesday 21 / October / 2025
MUSCAT: Oman’s rising golf stars — who made history earlier this year with a landmark gold medal at the GCC Championships in February — are now set to test their mettle on a bigger stage as the Sultanate’s U18 team tees off at the third Asian Youth Games (AYG) in Bahrain this week. The multi-disciplinary Asian Youth Games will be held from October 22-31.
The trio of Mahir Sampat, Adam Al Barwani, and Pransh Jagwani, who etched their names in Omani sporting history with a landmark U18 team gold in Saudi Arabia, will once again don national colours under the guidance of head coach Jonathan Bartlett.
The golf tournament, to be held from October 23 to 25 at the Royal Golf Club in Bahrain, will see Oman compete against Asia’s best young golfers in both team and individual categories.
“I’m really looking forward to participating in the tournament with the same teammates who won gold in Saudi Arabia earlier this year,” said Mahir, who has flown in from the UK where he is currently studying.
His teammate Adam, based in Scotland, echoed his excitement: “We are three solid players, and I’m very excited to represent Oman again in Bahrain.”
Completing the trio, Pransh, currently finishing school in Muscat, added: “I’m going to give it my very best to put up a solid performance for the team.”
Coach Bartlett, who has been preparing the players over recent months, praised the squad’s dedication. “This is the best under-18 team we’ve ever had. The boys have trained hard and are ready to compete at the highest level,” he said.
Two Oman Golf Association (OGA) board members, Ahmed Al Jhadhamy and Nikhil Sampat, are accompanying the squad to Bahrain.
Strong Oman delegation across six sports
Beyond golf, the Sultanate is fielding a robust contingent of youth athletes across six sports at the third Games. The official Omani delegation, led by Dr Abdullah bin Khamis Ambusaidi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Education, arrived in Bahrain on Tuesday morning.
Oman will compete in athletics, golf, swimming, esports, taekwondo, and equestrian, with events taking place at world-class venues including Isa Sports City, Khalifa Sports City, and Sama Bay Zone.
In athletics, the team features Raed Al Balushi (100m, 200m), Al Yazan Al Shamsi (800m), and Hamad Al Riyami (2000m steeplechase).
The swimming team is represented by Mohammed Al Wahibi, who will take part in the 50m and 100m backstroke and 50m butterfly. The taekwondo squad includes Qaboos Al Balushi, Ziyad Al Balushi, Al Moatasem Al Maskari, Shahinaz Al Maawali, and Fidaa Al Barwani, while the equestrian (show jumping) team comprises Abdulaziz Al Busaidy, Taha Al Balushi, and Sarah Al Kathiri.
In esports, Oman will compete in the Rocket League event with players Sultan Al Balushi, Mashari Al Ajmi, and Abdullah Al Amri.
A flag-raising ceremony at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre saw golfer Al Barwani carry Oman’s flag, while equestrian Abdulaziz Al Busaidy and taekwondo athlete Fidaa Al Barwani will have the honour during the official opening ceremony.
With the nation’s youthful athletes set to represent Oman across six sporting fronts, the U18 golf team’s early start sets the tone for what could be a memorable campaign for the Sultanate at the Asian Youth Games.
