Athlete Preparation Centres drive Oman’s long-term sporting vision

MUSCAT, JAN 10
Oman’s long-term ambition to compete consistently at regional and international sporting arenas is taking shape through the Athlete Preparation Centres (APC) project which acts as a strategic national initiative led by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MoCSY) that is redefining how young athletes are identified, developed and prepared for elite competition.
Launched in 2022 and entering full operational implementation in 2023, the APC project has rapidly evolved into one of the most comprehensive grassroots-to-elite development systems in the Sultanate of Oman. By the end of 2025, the programme supported 1,210 junior athletes across 13 sports, marking a measurable increase from 1,159 players in 2024 and reflecting steady year-on-year growth.

The project’s core objective is clear by creating a scientifically driven, technically supervised and nationally unified pathway that enables promising Omani athletes to progress smoothly from junior levels to senior national teams.
The sports under the programme include handball, athletics, fencing, cycling, bowling, basketball, racket sports, table tennis, hockey, volleyball, padel, rugby, among others which highlighting the project’s inclusive, multi-sport approach.

QUALITY OVER QUANTITY
Jaber bin Mohammed al Shabibi, Project Director of National Teams at MoCSY, described the APC initiative as a cornerstone of Oman’s future sporting success, stressing that the project prioritises quality development over expansion without results.
“This strategic project enables junior athletes to develop through a proper technical approach under direct supervision from qualified specialists,” Al Shabibi told Oman Observer. “The objective is to ensure that when these athletes transition to senior levels, they do so with experience, discipline and full readiness to achieve targeted results.” Following a comprehensive technical and administrative assessment at the end of 2024, the Ministry made a pivotal decision to restructure the programme.

“We decided to reduce the number of training centres while raising the quality of technical work,” he explained. “Some associations had many centres, but the outcomes were technically weak. We worked closely with these associations to reduce numbers and improve quality.” While the initial plan targeted 40 centres by the end of 2025, the programme exceeded expectations by establishing 53 centres, supported by professional technical teams, equipment provision, and transportation support.

MEASURABLE OUTCOMES
Al Shabibi noted that the Ministry adopted a selective strategic approach in choosing sports and associations, based on their potential for regional and international achievement, as well as administrative and technical readiness.
“In associations where administrative or technical standards were low, we redirected focus to others that met the required criteria,” he said. “This ensured efficient use of resources and faster progress.” Despite being a relatively young project, the APC has already delivered early international achievements, particularly in fencing, cycling, and athletics, underlining the effectiveness of the model even in its early stages.

EXPANDING THE VISION
Sajad al Lawati, Vice-Chairman of the Oman Table Tennis Association and Chairman of the National Training Centers Project for Table Tennis, described the APC initiative as one of the Ministry’s most successful programmes.
“We are extremely pleased with the support provided by the Ministry,” Al Lawati said. “The project is achieving its objectives, and we can already see its impact on junior player development.” He proposed the establishment of a centralised national training hub, equipped with accommodation, training venues, and operational facilities, to be shared by multiple sports under a structured schedule. “This would improve financial efficiency and allow Oman to host international training camps,” he added. “It would also create valuable opportunities for experience exchange with elite foreign academies.”

BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD
From the hockey perspective, Said al Maamari, Vice-Chairman of the Oman Hockey Association and Chairman of the National Training Centres Project for Hockey, expressed strong confidence in the programme’s long-term impact.
“This is one of the Ministry’s most important strategic programmes,” Al Maamari said. “We are witnessing clear growth in the number of junior hockey players across domestic clubs.” He added that sustained support will be critical to achieving long-term goals.
“We strongly believe the future is bright for junior hockey players in Oman, and we hope this programme continues to empower associations to reach their targets.”

INVESTING IN COACHES
Beyond athlete development, the APC programme has made a deliberate investment in Omani technical staff, recognising coaches as a critical pillar of sustainable success. In 2025, the Ministry sponsored four Omani coaches for international technical exposure programmes including: Barakat al Harthy (athletics) who went to South Africa while Abdullah al Maqbali (basketball) trained in Cyprus. Younis al Wahaibi (hockey) went to Poland while Ahmed al Busaidy (handball) was in Croatia. The overseas programmes, ranging from two to four weeks, provided advanced training methodologies and practical exposure aimed at improving junior athlete development standards upon their return.
Barakat al Harthy, former Oman national sprinter, said: “The programme focused on equipping assistant speed coaches with scientific tools to enhance performance through biomechanics, speed development and accurate performance analysis. It also strengthened our ability to manage training sessions safely, prevent injuries and apply modern measurement techniques to provide immediate feedback. The experience significantly improved my technical approach and will positively reflect on junior athlete development in Oman.”
CHALLENGES AND THE ROAD FORWARD
Despite its progress, the project faces challenges. Al Shabibi acknowledged that not all associations were equally prepared. “Some associations demonstrated full commitment from their boards, while others struggled due to limited technical resources,” he said. “We are addressing this by providing financial support to appoint qualified technical staff.” “APC is a strategic pillar for Oman’s sporting future. It is not designed for short-term medals, but for sustainable excellence,” he ended Statistics: The programme recorded the following figures in 2025:
* Players: 1,210 (1,085 male, 125 female)
* Coaches: 54
* Assistant Coaches: 39
* Technical Supervisors: 24
* Training Centers: 53
* Sports Covered: 13
* Domestic Clubs Involved: 13
* Sports Complexes Utilised: 8
* Specialised Training Centers: 2
* School-Based Training Centers: 10