Saturday 31 / October / 2026
Muscat: Oman's participation in the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games represents more than a presence at a major international sporting event, providing a valuable platform to develop emerging talent, strengthen the country's Olympic ambitions and prepare a new generation of athletes for the demands of elite competition, according to Engineer Khalfan bin Saleh Al Naabi, board member of the Oman Olympic Committee (OOC) and head of the Omani delegation in Dakar.
Al Naabi said the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) offered young Omani athletes an important opportunity to measure themselves against some of the world's most promising competitors, gain exposure to different sporting systems and acquire the experience needed to progress towards senior international championships and, ultimately, the Olympic Games.
He stressed that the value of participation should not be assessed solely through medals or immediate results, but also through the technical, educational and personal development that comes from competing on an international stage.
"Oman's participation in the Youth Olympic Games reflects the Oman Olympic Committee's commitment to maintaining the country's presence at major regional and international sporting events, while providing young athletes with opportunities to gain experience and compete against talented athletes from different sporting schools around the world," Al Naabi said.
He described the Olympic movement as an important environment for developing sporting standards and broadening athletes' horizons, particularly at a formative stage of their careers.
For Oman, he said, such exposure is essential to building a stronger sporting base and encouraging young competitors to pursue higher levels of achievement.
Al Naabi also highlighted the wider educational dimension of the Games, urging the Omani athletes to make full use of their time in the Olympic Village by engaging with competitors from other countries, learning about different cultures and sharing experiences.
The Olympic Village, he noted, brings together athletes from individual and team sports in a unique international setting, reinforcing the values of friendship, respect, tolerance and cultural exchange that underpin the Olympic movement.
He expressed his hope that the Omani contingent would give its best, produce strong performances and represent the Sultanate with distinction throughout the competition.
Significant test for Al Hasani
Al Naabi's remarks come as Oman's young swimmer Hamed bin Sulaiman Al Hasani prepares for his first appearance at a major Olympic event, with the 15-year-old now concentrating on the men's 400m freestyle.
The swimmer's original programme included the 800m freestyle, but the event was cancelled by the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee in coordination with World Aquatics following concerns over high water temperatures at the Complexe Tour de l’Œuf swimming venue.
The cancellation means Al Hasani will make his competitive debut in the Games in the 400m freestyle heats on Tuesday, November 3, scheduled for 10am local time (2pm Oman time).
Rather than allowing the change to disrupt his preparations, the Omani teenager is now focused on making the most of his remaining opportunity in Dakar and improving on his personal best of 4:27 in the 400m freestyle.
"I am very happy to be here at the Youth Olympic Games. This is my first appearance at such a major event, and I am looking forward to giving my best and making every effort to achieve positive results and set new personal bests," Al Hasani said.
He added that preparations had gone well, including training in the Olympic pool designated for warm-ups, which allowed him to familiarise himself with the conditions ahead of competition.
The young swimmer, born on January 24, 2010, has already represented Oman at several regional and continental competitions, including the 11th Asian Aquatics Championships in India, the Arab Age Group Championships in Morocco and the Gulf Games in Qatar.
Building experience for the future
Oman's national aquatics team coach Mohamed Bouguera believes the Dakar experience will be an important step in Al Hasani's development, particularly given the demanding standard of competition.
The swimmer's preparations included a closed training camp in Egypt from August 19 to September 1, followed by further training at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex swimming pool in Bausher, Muscat.
Bouguera said the programme was designed to improve Al Hasani's physical and technical readiness for the international challenge.
"Hamed's participation in this global event is an extremely important milestone in his sporting career. It gives him the opportunity to compete alongside some of the most talented young swimmers from around the world," Bouguera said.
However, he said the experience of competing against a high-calibre international field would be valuable in itself, helping the young Omani understand the demands of elite swimming and identify areas for further improvement.
