MCSY launches Sports Training Conference with 39 participants

MUSCAT, OCT 6
The Sports Training Conference began on Monday morning, organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MoCSY), represented by the National Teams Department at the Directorate-General of Sports Care and Development, with the participation of 39 male and female coaches from athlete preparation centres, Sultan Qaboos University, Sohar University and the School Sports Federation.
The conference includes theoretical lectures delivered by a group of international experts in the morning sessions, followed by practical applications in the afternoon to reinforce scientific concepts and ensure participants fully grasp the material.
COACH DEVELOPMENT
Waleed al Kiyoumi, Head of the Youth Preparation Centers Section at the National Teams Affairs Department, explained that the conference is part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to develop national coaching competencies. He emphasised that the coach is the cornerstone of the sports training system. Al Kiyoumi added that the ministry is keen to attract top experts capable of transferring knowledge and implementing it in the field, noting that this year’s theme training planning is vital for designing daily, monthly, and annual training units according to the approved calendar.
He remarked that “planning may sound simple, but it is one of the most complex concepts in sports science,” stressing the importance of coaches staying updated with the latest global developments and modern preparation methods. The first day of the conference, he said, focused on the concept of physical strength and ways to develop it in children, while the closing day will center on long-term training, highlighting the importance of early athlete preparation to build a strong base of talent.
During the first day of the conference, Dr Mohammed Al Tayeb Gharsli from Tunisia presented a paper titled 'Planning Training Programmes'. He discussed the concept of planning in sports performance as the true measure of athletes’ levels in competitions, explaining that scientific planning enables coaches to accurately determine training loads and design preparation phases based on clear indicators and formulas.
He also distinguished between planning and the plan, noting that planning is a comprehensive process that involves forecasting the future, setting objectives and determining methods to achieve them, while the plan represents part of this process that defines the general framework of the training programme.
Gharsli highlighted the importance of planning and programming in setting goals, distributing tasks, and enhancing communication among technical and administrative staff to achieve higher efficiency in time, effort, and resources. He also reviewed the types of sports planning, which include short-term planning (one year), medium-term planning (four to five years), and long-term planning (eight to fifteen years), the latter of which focuses on developing champions in sports that require early and continuous preparation, such as gymnastics.
He concluded by emphasising that strategic sports planning should begin at early educational stages to build generations capable of competing at high levels, stressing that investment in early training is the foundation for achieving sustainable sporting excellence.
UPCOMING SESSIONS
On the second day, Dr Mohammed Gamal Alaa-Eldin from Egypt will deliver two lectures in 'Modern Foundations of Training' focusing on the latest scientific concepts in designing training programmes. 'Strength Training for Children' explaining safe, gradual methods for developing strength in young athletes.
On the third day, Dr Taiysir Mansi, also from Egypt, will present two lectures 'Modern Scientific Trends in Physical Preparation (Individual and Team Sports)' discussing the latest approaches to athlete conditioning. And 'Long-Term Physical Training for Children and Youth' outlining methods for long-term athlete development to sustain performance and excellence.
Finally, the fourth and final day of the conference will feature a theoretical assessment to evaluate participant understanding, followed by an open discussion session, and conclude with a closing ceremony honouring participants and lecturers.