Muscat – With schools closed for the summer and thousands of children looking for productive ways to spend their holidays, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth has unveiled an expanded edition of its annual Summer of Sports 2026 programme, offering a wide range of sporting, educational and community activities across Muscat governorate.

Running until August 15, the initiative is designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, increase grassroots participation in sports and provide young people with opportunities to develop their skills in a structured and engaging environment.

Training centres will operate from June 28 to July 29, catering to children, youth and girls across different age groups. The programme combines sports training, recreational activities and community engagement, reflecting the ministry’s broader efforts to strengthen sports culture and nurture future talent in line with Oman Vision 2040.

One of the highlights of this year’s programme is the expansion of swimming education to three specialised centres in Amerat, Al Hail and Mabela in Muscat governorate, that will provide swimming lessons for children aged three to 12, focusing on fundamental swimming techniques, water safety awareness and drowning prevention.

At Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher, participants will have access to football, badminton and girls’ sports programmes, in addition to dedicated activities for people with disabilities under the supervision of qualified coaches and instructors.

The programme also includes a series of community events and open days aimed at making sports accessible to a wider audience. Among the major attractions is Summer Adventures, an initiative that combines recreation and sports activities while introducing participants to different governorates across Oman. Other events include a travelling sports caravan, swimming awareness workshops, the Champion of the Fields football festival and a skating festival.

Sultan bin Said Al Sinani, Head of the Programme Team, described Summer of Sports as a strategic investment in the nation’s youth.

“Summer of Sports 2026 is more than a seasonal programme. It is a long-term investment in the energy and potential of young people, helping to establish sport as a healthy way of life and supporting the goals of Oman Vision 2040,” he said.

Al Sinani noted that registration interest from families has been strong even before activities officially begin, reflecting growing public awareness of the importance of physical activity and healthy living. He added that this year’s programme has expanded geographically to reach more wilayats in Muscat governorate while also promoting traditional Omani sports alongside modern team and individual disciplines.

Meanwhile, the ministry is also strengthening opportunities for amateur sports enthusiasts through the second edition of the Archery Championship, organised in cooperation with the Omani Archery Community.

The championship will take place from July 3 to 5 at Al Amal Centre, with preparatory activities and registration beginning on July 1. The event aims to provide a competitive platform for archery practitioners while encouraging wider participation in one of Oman’s fastest-growing amateur sports.

Mohammed bin Said Al Niyadi, Head of the Amateur Sports Section at the Directorate General of Sports Activities, said the championship reflects the ministry’s commitment to supporting emerging sports communities and identifying promising talent.

The competition will feature four categories: athletes with disabilities, traditional archery including horseback archery, Olympic archery conducted according to international standards, and standard archery, which focuses on precision and concentration.