Muscat – Oman aims to develop a new generation of female shooters capable of competing at regional and international levels, with early talent identification, structured training programmes, qualified coaches and suitable facilities identified as key priorities.

Mohammed bin Salem Al Maamari, Acting Director General of Action Point Oman, said developing women’s shooting requires a long-term approach that goes beyond increasing participation to preparing athletes capable of achieving strong results at major competitions.

The Oman Women’s Shooting Championship 2026, which runs until October 24, is one of the initiatives supporting this ambition, providing women with opportunities to discover their potential, improve their skills and gain competitive experience in a sport that demands precision, concentration and discipline.

Al Maamari said the championship was an important platform for strengthening Omani women’s participation in sport and creating a competitive environment that encourages positive competition and the exchange of experience.

He said the event aims to develop participants’ sporting abilities, adding that the organising committee is keen to improve standards of organisation and enhance the overall experience for competitors.

Al Maamari said the growing interest in sporting events for women reflected increasing engagement with specialised sports. However, he stressed that the championship’s success should not be measured solely by the number of participants or the results achieved, but also by their commitment, sportsmanship, engagement and the benefits they gain from competing.

He noted that organising the championship requires close coordination across technical, administrative and logistical operations, alongside strict adherence to safety standards and fair competition.

The organisers are working to ensure that shooting ranges are ready, equipment is available, competition schedules are efficiently managed and scoring procedures are accurate and transparent, helping guarantee equal opportunities for all participants.

Competitions in pistol and rifle shooting offer Omani women opportunities to develop mental focus, self-confidence and control over their performance, Al Maamari said. “They also help identify promising athletes who can benefit from continued training and development.”

He described early talent identification as the first step towards improving participants’ abilities and preparing them for higher levels of competition.

Partnerships with the Oman Automobile Association and supporting organisations are also important to the championship’s success and continuity, he said, helping strengthen organisational capacity and bring institutions together in support of sport.

The organisers plan to expand women’s participation gradually, strengthen training and development opportunities according to athletes’ needs and available resources, and introduce more orientation and training programmes for beginners.

They also aim to provide greater opportunities for competitive exposure and establish development pathways to help promising participants improve their performance.

Al Maamari said achieving progress in women’s shooting would require regular training, qualified coaches, appropriate facilities and equipment, as well as participation in domestic and international competitions to build experience.