The first Al-Buraimi Open Karate Championship commenced today at the Al-Buraimi Sports Complex, and it will continue until tomorrow. This championship, organized by the Al-Buraimi Governorate in collaboration with the Oman Karate Committee and the Al-Buraimi Karate Academy, features over 400 athletes representing 17 countries, including Algeria, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Iraq, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Nepal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Australia, and the Sultanate of Oman. Additionally, the event comprises 56 clubs from around the world and includes participation from four players ranked in the advanced global rankings, including those ranked 8ths and 47th worldwide.
Saeed bin Namshan Al-Kaabi, Director of Events and Awareness at the Al-Buraimi Municipality, stated that the championship marks the kickoff of the “Winter in Al-Buraimi” activities. He emphasized that this event is part of the governorate’s efforts to enhance sports and tourism activities. Furthermore, he added that the goal of the championship is to support youth, develop their skills, and attract global expertise, which contributes to invigorating tourism and bolstering the local economy in the governorate.
Additionally, Al-Mundhir bin Mohammed Al-Alawi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Al-Buraimi Karate Academy and Director of the championship, noted that the purpose of holding the event is to provide a unique sporting experience for both participants and the audience. He expressed the aspiration to elevate local competition standards to align with international levels, thereby enhancing the status of karate in the Sultanate of Oman. He also mentioned that this championship offers Omani youth an opportunity to learn from global expertise, contributing to their development in athletic performance.
Moreover, Al-Alawi indicated that the championship will feature intense competitions, allowing participants to showcase their skills in a competitive environment. He pointed out that this event is not merely a sporting activity; it is also an opportunity to foster sportsmanship and discipline among youth and participants, encouraging them to incorporate sports into their daily lives. The opening ceremony of the championship was attended by Sheikh Ali bin Ahmed Al-Shamsi, a member of the State Council.
