5th CISM World Military Beach Volleyball Championship officially opens in Muscat as first matches get underway

 

 

MUSCAT (OMA) – The 5th CISM World Military Beach Volleyball Championship officially opened in Muscat, Oman, bringing together military athletes from eight nations for an international competition taking place from 15 to 22 October 2026. Hosted by the Sultanate of Oman, the championship combines sporting excellence, international cooperation and the values of friendship and solidarity that have defined the International Military Sports Council (CISM) since its foundation.

 

The championship features men's and women's competitions, with participating nations including Algeria, Brazil, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Oman, Qatar and Sri Lanka. The men's tournament includes nine teams divided into two groups, with host nation Oman represented by two teams, while six nations are competing in the women's tournament.

 

The official Opening Ceremony provided an opportunity to welcome the participating delegations, athletes, coaches and officials while recognising the efforts of the Omani organisers in preparing this international military sporting event.

 

 

Representing CISM at the ceremony, Colonel Dirk Schwede of Germany, former member of the CISM Board of Directors, addressed the participants and expressed his appreciation to the host nation for its commitment to the successful organisation of the championship. He particularly acknowledged the efforts of the CISM Delegation of Oman, led by Naval Commodore Khalid Al Maqbali, Chief of the Omani Delegation to CISM, and the organising committee for their dedication and hospitality.

 

In his address, Colonel Schwede recalled the history and fundamental principles of CISM, founded on 18 February 1948 by Belgium, Denmark, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. He highlighted the organisation's development into a worldwide military sporting community comprising 142 Member Nations and reaffirmed its commitment to neutrality, mutual respect and international understanding.

 

Placing particular emphasis on the CISM motto, Friendship through Sport, Colonel Schwede encouraged athletes and officials to consider the championship not only as an opportunity to compete at the highest level but also as a platform for developing lasting relationships across national and cultural boundaries. "Friendship is not just a simple word; friendship is a relationship of mutual affection between people and friendship is the strongest form of interpersonal bond," he stated, underlining the importance of mutual understanding, trust and respect within the CISM family.

 

 

He also paid tribute to Oman's rich cultural heritage and traditions of hospitality, encouraging participants to discover the host country's culture and strengthen the bonds of friendship throughout their stay in Muscat. Concluding his address, Colonel Schwede called upon all members of the CISM family to continue promoting the organisation's values through their actions both on and off the court before officially declaring the championship open.

 

Following the opening festivities, the competition began on Saturday, 17 October, with seven matches across the men's and women's tournaments, providing an exciting start to the championship.

 

In the men's competition, France opened its campaign with a convincing 2–0 victory over the Netherlands, winning 42–31 on aggregate points. Qatar also made a strong start, defeating Germany 2–0 (43–32), while Brazil emerged victorious from the day's closest encounter, overcoming host nation Oman A 2–1 in a tightly contested match that finished 54–49 in total points.

 

 

Algeria secured a 2–0 victory against Sri Lanka (42–31), while Germany recorded a 2–0 win over Oman B (42–35), completing the opening day's five men's encounters.

 

The women's competition also delivered strong performances, with Algeria securing a 2–0 victory over host nation Oman (44–28). France also made an impressive start to its campaign, recording a convincing 2–0 win against the Netherlands, with an aggregate score of 42–15.

 

The opening results highlighted the competitive nature of the championship, with several delegations making positive starts to their campaigns and setting the stage for the upcoming group-stage encounters.

 

 

Competition continued on Sunday, 18 October, with another seven matches scheduled across the two tournaments. In the men's competition, Brazil was scheduled to face Sri Lanka, Qatar to meet France and the Netherlands in separate encounters, Algeria to take on Oman A, and France to face Oman B. The women's programme featured scheduled encounters between Germany and Oman, and France and Sri Lanka.

 

With several days of competition still ahead, the 5th CISM World Military Beach Volleyball Championship promises to deliver further exciting encounters while providing military athletes with an opportunity to exchange experiences, develop international friendships and represent their Armed Forces with pride.

 

 

Beyond the sporting results, the championship once again demonstrates the important role of military sport in strengthening cooperation between nations and promoting the enduring CISM values of solidarity, respect and Friendship through Sport.

 

(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department)