The Sultanate of Oman has a long history of beach handball, appearing at the debut IHF Men’s Beach Handball World Championship back in 2004 and having hosted the fifth edition of the global event at the Mussanah Sports City in 2012.

At that edition, their men’s side finished eighth, but in five appearances since, a seventh-place finish at Budapest 2016 is the highest they have ranked in a world championship.

And it has been a big break between world championships for the Omani side – six years in total after finishing 10th at Kazan 2018. The following 2020 edition was cancelled due to covid, and a disastrous continental event in 2022 saw them finish fourth, outside of the qualification positions for Greece 2022.

Therefore, their runners-up spot at the 2023 AHF Men’s Asian Beach Handball Championships last year was welcomed fully and the wait was over to compete again at a global level.

In Bali, Indonesia, Oman took the honours in preliminary group B, defeating Hong Kong 2-0 (26:8, 19:12), Vietnam 2-1 (12:14, 19:13, SO 7:6), Kuwait 2-0 (13:12, 16:15), Indonesia 2-0 (22:16, 23:14) and China 2-0 (28:10, 24:11). The Omanis, who won the debut continental championship back in 2004, then ended the 2022-title defence of Iran, defeating them in their semi-final clash 2-0 (23:11, 22:20), with Said Al Hasani scoring the winning second set points.

Awaiting them in the final were the continental powerhouses and familiar foes Qatar. In a match which was a repeat of the 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019 finals, they lost 0-2 (14:18, 12:16), but the result was enough to qualify for not only China 2024, but a spot at the then upcoming 2023 ANOC World Beach Games. It would have been a much-needed global event ahead of China – but that was cancelled at the last-minute, leaving plenty of time to think about their task ahead on Pingtan Island this month.

Coached by the experienced Hamood al Hassani, who took the role for the first time in 2012, Oman started their preparation for China 2024 with an internal training camp at the beginning of May.

Hassani’s provisional squad does not include key players from Bali, Nasr al Tamtami and Asad al Hasani, but does include a core group of five players – goalkeeper Bashar al Hinai, left wing Yasir al Harthi, right backs Mehdi al Sulemani and Said al Hasani and defender Abdulhakim Alsiabi.

Oman will again face Kazan 2018 preliminary group opponents Denmark – who they lost to – and Australia – who they beat twice – in China in the initial stage, as well as current European champions Hungary.

Coach: Hamood al Hasani

Key Players: Bashar al Hinai, Yasir al Harthi, Mehdi al Sulemani, Abdulhakim Alsiabi.

Qualification information: 2023 AHF Men’s Beach Handball Asian Championship – 2nd

History in Tournament: 2004: 8th, 2006-2008: DNQ, 2010: 9th, 2012: 8th, 2014: 12th, 2016: 7th, 2018: 10th, 2022: DNQ

Group at China 2024: Group A: Hungary, Denmark, Oman, Australia