MUSCAT : The championship is being organised by Oman Table Tennis Federation in cooperation with the International Table Tennis Federation and the World Table Tennis Federation.

The tournament will bring together around 200 male and female players representing 34 countries from across Asia, Europe, the Americas and Oceania. Participating nations include China, Germany, India, South Korea, the United States, Singapore, Spain, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Australia, and hosts Oman, underlining the event’s strong international profile.

Hosting the championship further strengthens Oman’s growing reputation as a trusted destination for elite international sporting events. The Federation has built on recent organisational successes, including two international tournaments held last year, most notably the Oman International Competitive Tournament (Star Contender category) in November, which attracted around 240 players and received wide international praise.

Abdullah bin Mohammed Bamkhalif, President of the Oman Table Tennis Federation, said the 2026 championship marks the opening of the international table tennis season and extends the momentum created by the successful Star Contender event, which was staged in Oman for the first time. He added that Oman has now become an officially recognised stop on the annual calendar of international table tennis bodies, with the Federation routinely hosting two major tournaments each year.

Sajjad bin Mohammed Al Lawati, Vice President of the Federation and Tournament Director, confirmed that final preparations will be completed two days before competition begins. These include full technical, logistical and operational readiness, such as preparing the main hall, installing professional flooring and tables, enhancing lighting, activating high-speed internet services, and meeting all international technical standards. He noted that the Federation has gone beyond minimum requirements to deliver a world-class organisational experience for players and delegations.

The championship will feature several of the world’s top-ranked players, including Lin Shidong, Liang Jingkun and Xiang Peng from China, Germany’s Benedikt Duda and Patrik Franziska, Darko Jurgic of Slovenia, and American star Kanak Jha, among others. The women’s singles competition will also showcase elite talent, with leading players from China, Chinese Taipei, Singapore, Hong Kong, Egypt and Sweden in action.

Oman’s national team will be represented by Muhannad Al-Balushi, Badr Al-Jassasi, Ahmed Al-Riyami, Mohammed Al-Mutawa and Bilal Al-Rashidi. The players will be aiming to deliver strong performances on home soil while gaining valuable technical experience and international ranking points.