MUSCAT: The inaugural OFAL Girls Football Academies Championship kicked off in a spectacular fashion on Friday at the Security and Safety Stadium in Muscat.
A total of 12 academies will showcase their talent in what promises to be a defining moment for women’s football in Oman.
The opening day belonged firmly to the ESG Team, which produced commanding performances across all three age categories.
In the under-13 clash, ESG overpowered the All-Star team 5-1, while the under-15 side secured a 6-0 victory against Aria. Their dominance peaked in the under-17 match, where ESG thrashed Al Awamir 13-0, sending a clear signal that they are the team to beat in the championship’s first edition.
Officials from participating academies, alongside Hajar Al Muzaini, a member of the Oman Football Association, attended the opening ceremony.
Beyond the action on the pitch, the championship marks a significant step in Oman’s growing investment in women’s football.
Chief guest Dr. Sharifa Al Yahya’i, former Minister of Social Development, underscored the initiative's broader impact.
She said: “What we are witnessing today is not just a championship, but a real investment in the potentials of girls and building the confidence of the future generations of girls in the various fields, including sports.
“Football has become a space to express ambition and creativity. The various initiatives in women’s sports open the door for girls to discover their abilities and enhance their presence in the sports arena locally and internationally. My message to every participant is that: You are not just players, but ambassadors of great ambition.”
Fadi Kattar, head of the organising committee, highlighted the strategic vision behind the championship. He said: “The launch of the girls’ championship comes as part of OFAL’s vision aimed at building an integrated system for talent development. We started with the boys’ football academies league two seasons ago, and today we are continuing the journey by launching a parallel platform for girls.
“We aspire for this championship to become a leading annual platform, to include Gulf and Arab participation, and to be a real starting point for discovering and developing talents according to modern scientific principles, in line with international standards.”
He added: “The participation of 12 academies in the first edition reflects the level of passion and confidence in this project, which motivates us to extend tremendous efforts to develop the sport in the future. We are not only organising a tournament, but also building the future of women's football in Oman.”
The tournament’s smooth execution is aided by the experienced OFAL volunteer team, ensuring matches run efficiently and professionally.
The OFAL Girls Championship is more than a competition; it is a platform for discovering young talent and a statement of ambition for the future of women’s football in the Sultanate.
