It is very pleasing to be chosen as a torch bearer of Monday's Beijing Olympic torch relay in Omani capital Muscat, Saleh bin Khalifa Al-Khusaibi, former Secretary General of the Oman Olympic Committee (OOC), told Xinhua on Sunday.
The 54-year-old Al-Khusaibi, who was OOC's Secretary General between 1985 and 1993, showed his excitement when asked about the upcoming torch relay in an exclusive interview with Xinhua.
Al-Khusaibi, now serving as Advisor to Minister of Sports Affairs, is delighted at being able to take part in the first Olympic torch relay to be held in Muscat.
"I feel very happy to put us on the Olympic map," he said, adding that Oman is very glad to be the only Arab country to welcome the flame of Beijing Olympic Games.
His whole family, including his 2-year-old grandson, will go to the relay scene to see him run on Muscat's Corniche Road with the Olympic torch, he said.
Al-Khusaibi played volleyball and basketball before working in the government and currently he is also Chairman of the Oman Volleyball Association.
In 1971, he represented Oman in the 400-meter race in the first Arab Youth Festival in Algeria.
As a sports official of Oman's government, he had personally participated in the organizing work of torch relays of 2002 Busan Asian Games and 2006 Doha Asian Games.
Al-Khusaibi attended the 11th Asian Games held in Beijing in 1990 as head of the Omani delegation. At the 1990 games, an Omani athlete named Mohammed bin Amer Al Malky won a gold medal in 400-meter race, which is the first gold medal won by Oman in Asian Games, he said.
Al-Khusaibi said that he wishes to go to Beijing to watch the Olympic Games, for "it is a history to participate in Olympics to see the improvement in organization."
(xinhua News Agency April 13, 2008)