Khareef Salalah Sports: 6 Dhofar Clubs Compete in Omani Heritage Championship

Omani Traditional Games held in the Dhofar Governorate add another unique sporting aspect to the Khareef Dhofar 2026 celebrations, as six prominent sports clubs from the Dhofar Governorate participate in the OMCG competition.

The championship was organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MoCSY) in Al Dahariz Beach from 13 to 15 August 2026. The event also serves to help safeguard traditional Omani sports, and help bring them to the attention of new generations.

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Six Clubs Compete for Heritage Championship Glory

These include Dhofar, Al Nasr, Salalah, Taqah, Al Ittihad and the Mirbat club. Twenty-four players and two coaches/administrators are on each team.

The tournament gathers the most famous sporting institutions in Dhofar in an ambiance that is quite away from the regular football stadium. The defending champion Taqah will face the other clubs as a contender for the championship, while the other clubs will be seeking to beat the defending champion.

Traditional Games Take Centre Stage

Three Traditional games are performed in the championship: Al Sayyad, Al Lakad and Al Yous. Both need a mix of speed, co-ordination, ‘tactical awareness’ and agility.

Accuracy, positioning and movement are the focus of Al Sayyad, and balance and co-ordination are the focus of Al Lakad. Al Yous is agility, team work and fast footwork, highlighting sporting traditions that have been handed down through generations amongst Omani communities.

Sport Meets Cultural Preservation

The tournament is more than a game. MoCSY aims to increase access to old games and to normalise rules, introduce officiating practices and games into an organised competitive setting.

Conducting the competition during Khareef Dhofar also allows for the possibility of relating cultural preservation to tourism. Salalah lovers can enjoy the natural beauty of the local landscape, the vast array of coastal activities, and sports culture.

Why does Al Dahariz Beach matter?

Al Dahariz, as a natural stage, will bring traditional games into the coastal setting of Salalah. The beach theme also opens up the event for residents, families and tourists to enjoy at the Khareef festivities.

The tournament is a good example of the power of sporting events to become a component of a wider cultural touristic proposition, at the same time making local traditions visible and active.

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