Muscat: The third edition of the Asian Universities Debate Championship in Arabic commenced today at the headquarters of the Arab Open University in the Wilayat of A’Seeb.

According to Oman News Agency, the championship’s opening ceremony was held under the patronage of Mohammed Said Al Balushi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Information, in the presence of Basil Ahmed Al Rowas, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Sports and Youth. The event is organized in partnership between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, Oman Debate Center, and Qatar Debate Center. It aims to promote dialogue and revitalize the Arabic language in international forums.

The championship sees participation from 40 educational institutions across 18 Asian countries, with 145 debaters competing. The event emphasizes respect for cultural diversity and differing opinions, highlighting debate’s foundation in logic, persuasion, and eloquence. The championship is scheduled to continue until the first of next November.

Oman’s hosting of this championship for the second consecutive year, following the success of the 2023 edition, underscores its status as a prominent regional destination for youth and intellectual events. It also highlights the country’s commitment to supporting educational and cultural initiatives that enhance youth skills and foster discussions on contemporary issues.