Oman hosts Level 1 basketball coaching course

Muscat: The theoretical and practical sessions of the Level 1 course by the World Association of Basketball Coaches (WABC) saw remarkable interaction from participating male and female coaches. The course, organised by the Oman Basketball Association (OBA) in cooperation with Fiba and the WABC, runs from August 30 to September 4, with 15 coaches taking part under the instruction of international lecturer Safa Ali Ahmed Kamilin from Iran. Sessions are being held at the secondary hall of Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher.
Day three focused on the latest basketball training strategies, emphasising the development of players’ offensive and defensive skills, and practical applications of ball-handling, movement without the ball, stopping, and pivoting. Lectures also covered the principles and philosophy of offence and defence, the importance of transition play, collective offensive and defensive tactics, as well as training organisation and exploiting time- and score-related situations. At the end of the course, participants will undergo theoretical and practical tests to qualify for Level 1 certification, paving the way to advanced levels.
OBA Chairman Eng Khalfan al Naabi affirmed that organising this course is part of the association’s efforts, together with the Asian federation and the World Association to prepare coaches for internationally recognised classification based on modern scientific standards. He emphasised that this will positively impact the development of the game in Oman and the preparation of national staff using the best methods. Al Naabi urged participants to make full use of both the theoretical and practical sessions.
COMPETENT COACHES
Safa Ali Ahmed Kamilin stressed the importance of the Level 1 course, explaining that it establishes a new calibre of coaches through scientific and systematic methods, equipping them with the right foundations for teaching and training basketball. He added that the World Association aims through such programmes to achieve two main goals: unifying training standards worldwide to ensure a high and consistent coaching level and promoting structured, scientific training methods in all countries.
Regarding training levels, he noted that Level 1 is tailored for coaches working with players under 16, focusing on fundamentals. Level 2 targets advanced training and error correction, while Level 3 is intended for national team and elite-level coaches, requiring broader experience. He also clarified that this particular course is held under the umbrella of Fiba, unlike some others.
Kamilin remarked that while the first days were relatively challenging, interaction grew stronger by day three with lively discussions and questions. He praised the OBA's vision of transforming former players into scientifically qualified coaches.
He emphasised the need for an integrated approach that involves the association, clubs, coaches, referees, the community, and the media, supported by a comprehensive marketing and publicity plan. He also emphasised the importance of focusing on 'mini basketball' (for players under 12 years old) to expand the player base, as well as the role of schools and private academies in supporting clubs. He concluded by affirming that while the desire to develop the sport exists across Oman, achieving higher levels requires systematic work and long-term planning.
The course is part of ongoing efforts by the OBA in cooperation with Asian and international federations, along with the WABC, to prepare coaches using the latest scientific methods, contributing positively to the local growth of the game.
Photo: Ammar Al Musafir