Muscat – Around 300 athletes from 40 countries will compete across 23 events when Oman stages its first World Athletics Grand Prix on September 5, organisers announced on Monday, unveiling the competition programme less than two weeks before the meeting.

The one-day event at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher will bring together athletes from Asia, Africa and Europe in sprints, hurdles, middle-distance races, relays and field events.

The programme includes the 100m, 200m, 300m, 400m, 800m, 1,500m and 3,000m, along with the 110m hurdles and 4x100m relay. Hammer, shot put, javelin, long jump and triple jump will feature among the field events.

An 800m event for under-20 athletes has also been included, giving younger competitors exposure alongside international athletes.

Organisers said the championship will feature a Continental Tour Bronze meeting followed by International Challenge Tour competitions within the World Athletics-approved system, allowing competitors to earn ranking points that could improve their qualification prospects for major continental and international events.

Saeed bin Mohammed Al Hajri, Chairman of Oman Athletics Association (OAA), said preparations covering the track, timing and officiating systems, facilities and logistics were being completed in accordance with international requirements.

“We were keen to prepare a diverse and integrated technical programme that combines track and field events, in order to meet the aspirations of athletes and fans,” Al Hajri said.

For Oman’s athletes, the meeting will provide a rare opportunity to compete against international opposition at home while assessing their level ahead of overseas competitions.

Dr Ali bin Abdullah Al Marzouqi, Vice-Chairman of OAA and Championship Director, described the event as “a strategic project that goes beyond competition to building the future of Omani athletics”.

He said the presence of athletes from about 40 countries would expose national competitors to different styles and levels of competition, while the U20 events were intended to link international hosting with the development of Oman’s next generation of athletes.

The organisers are also planning sports and tourism exhibitions and family entertainment alongside the competition as they seek strong spectator turnout for the inaugural meeting.

OAA hopes the September event will establish a platform from which Oman can attract higher-level international athletics competitions in the coming years.