Muscat, (ONA) --- The Asian Arabic Debating Championship kicked off yesterday at Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC) with 320 participants from 18 countries.

The championship, hosted by the Sultanate of Oman, is organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, Oman Debate Centre and QatarDebate Centre.

The opening ceremony was held under the auspices of Basil Ahmed Al Rawas, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Sports and Youth.

The 320 participants contesting this edition of the championship include 165 debaters and 75 arbitrators, alongside 50 Omani volunteers who are helping organize the event.

Countries taking part in the championship comprise Australia, Azerbaijan, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Yemen and Oman.

Oman is participating with 4 teams from Sultan Qaboos University, A’Sharqiyah University, Oman College of Health Sciences and Al Buraimi University College. Moreover, 20 of the championship’s arbitrators are Omanis.