Oman’s table tennis team will face off against the best players on the continent in the 29th ITTF-ATTU Asian Table Tennis Championships, taking place from 19th to 25th October 2023 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Oman Table Tennis Roster
For the Omanis, this vital continental tournament is set to be an important stepping stone that will give local players the opportunity to qualify for the World Table Tennis Championships (WTTC) Finals of 2027.
For the forthcoming championships, OTTA has announced the selection of a five-member team from the Sultanate, headed by its newest national champion Muhannad al Balushi from Al Amerat Club. These are some of the best table tennis players from the country, among them Ahmed al Riyami, Ghassan al Ghassani, Bilal al Rashdi, and his fellow domestic finalist Nasser al Balushi. Iranian head strategist Omid Shams will oversee technical operations alongside Syrian assistant trainer Adnan Fawakherji, guiding the contingent through elite Asian competition.
To maximize match readiness, OTTA has enrolled the squad into an intensive training program focused on physical conditioning, technical refinement, and tactical adaptation against elite opponents. Administrators view this tournament as an essential investment to elevate national athletic standards and build long-term international experience.
The upcoming campaign builds upon a broader strategic initiative by OTTA to establish table tennis as a cornerstone of the Sultanate’s national sports infrastructure. Over recent years, the association has actively expanded grassroots programs, enhanced local club competitions, and partnered with international bodies to upgrade coaching methodologies. These systemic developments aim to cultivate sustainable pathways for young athletes, ensuring Oman consistently fields competitive talent across regional and global arenas.
Recent domestic and regional performances have provided strong momentum ahead of the trip to Tashkent. Muhannad al Balushi enters the competition following a decisive 3-1 victory over Seeb Club’s Nasser al Balushi in the recent domestic singles final, where Ghassan al Ghassani earned third place. Furthermore, Oman’s youth contingency highlighted their growing strength at the West Asia Table Tennis Championships in Jordan, securing one silver medal in the U19 boys’ doubles via Ahmed al Rawahi and Iyad al Jasasi, alongside two bronze medals in the U13 girls’ team and doubles categories. Oman Daily Report
