Oman Olympic Committee chairman lauds Barakat ahead of Rio Games

Sports Sunday 10/July/2016 17:30 PM
By: Times News Service
Oman Olympic Committee chairman lauds Barakat ahead of Rio Games

MUSCAT: Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed Al Zubair, chairman of the Oman Olympic Committee (OOC), met Sultanate's leading sprinter and lone qualifier for Rio Olympics Barakat Al Harthy at his office recently.
Also present during the meeting were Sheikh Saif bin Hilal Al Hosni, vice-chairman of the Oman Olympic Committee and chairman of Oman Athletic Association, Taha bin Sulaiman Kosheri, Secretary General of the Oman Olympic Committee and Oman national athletics coach Mohammed Hooti.
The OOC chairman expressed his confidence in Barakat Al Harthy and his capabilities and said that the Omani athlete can cause ripples in the star-studded track event of the Olympic Games, which begins in Rio on August 5.
Sheikh Khalid Al Zubair also praised Barakat for setting his personal best record of 10.05 seconds during training sessions and hoped that he will improve further and bring laurels for the Sultanate.
"Barakat has lots to offer," said the OOC chief during the meeting and at the same time lauded the efforts of Oman Athletic Association and the training programme provided to Barakat under the Bulgarian coach Yanko Bratanov.
Barakat will continue to compete further in his build-up to Rio Games and is hoping to improve on his personal best timing.
The OOC chief also said whatever Barakat has achieved is due to extra efforts he has put in and "I believe he will give tough competition to his star rivals."
Meanwhile, Barakat Al Harthy thanked the OOC chairman for his word of encouragement and also lauded Oman Athletic Association for "its full support in providing me the right platform to train and prepare for the Olympic Games."
"I also would like to thank Ministry of Sports Affairs for their continuous support," said Barakat.
"My training schedule in Bahrain under Yanko was good and fruitful, during which I won a silver medal in the Riyadh GCC Games. My preparation is going on well and I hope to do better in Rio," he said.
"I will strive hard to keep the Sultanate'sflag high. My aim is to qualify for the sprint final and then target the medals," said Barakat promising to continue his hard work.
Praising the athlete, OOC vice-chairman and OAA chairman Sheikh Saif bin Hilal Al Hosni said: "Barakat is full of enthusiasm and I am sure he will do wonders for the Sultanate. I also thank Shiekh Khalid for meeting the athlete and encouraging him."
Coach Mohammed Hooti too hailed Barakat and thanked the OOC for supporting him all through since he qualified for Olympics during the World Military Games in October 2015.