Proper youth development key to Oman handball success: Hdidar

Newly appointed technical supervisor of the Athlete Development Centres and Oman’s national indoor handball teams, Tunisian coach Kamal Hdidar, has emphasised that the Athlete Development Centres project represents the cornerstone for building the future of Omani handball. He noted that the coming phase will witness intensive technical work focused on developing age-group players and establishing a strong foundation of talent capable of serving both clubs and national teams in the years ahead.
The Oman Handball Association (OHA) recently signed a contract with Hdidar to oversee the Athlete Development Centres operating in seven clubs Seeb, Al Shabab, Nizwa, Yanqul, Ibri, Oman Club and Saham in addition to supervising the national indoor handball teams, the appointment comes as part of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth’s and the OHA's efforts to develop young talent and strengthen the pathway to the national teams.
Hdidar explained that the opportunity to work in Oman came following discussions with officials from the association, stressing that he immediately sensed a genuine determination and ambition to advance the sport and elevate its standards.
“I warmly welcome this new experience,” Hdidar said. “I have spent many years working in the Gulf region through coaching stints in the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, in addition to my experience with Tunisia’s youth national teams. What encouraged me even more was everything I had heard about Oman and its people. Since my arrival, I have received a very warm welcome and great cooperation, which motivates me to leave a positive mark on Omani handball.”
FURTHER WORK REQUIRED
The Tunisian coach added that he already had a general understanding of Omani handball through his involvement in Gulf and Arab competitions. However, he believes that the current stage requires further work on several levels, particularly in strengthening domestic competitions and investing more heavily in youth development.
Hdidar described the Athlete Development Centres project as a promising initiative, highlighting its focus on young age groups that will ultimately become the main source of players for clubs and national teams.
“The success of this project depends on the quality of development and education provided to players at an early age,” he said. “I will begin with a comprehensive assessment of all seven centres through regular field visits to evaluate both players and coaches. I have prepared an integrated technical and athletic program that covers physical, technical and psychological aspects in a way that suits each age category.”
TECHNICAL SKILLS
He revealed that his immediate priorities will focus on improving individual skills and strengthening players’ technical foundations. In addition, the association plans to organise a specialised coaching course next month for coaches working in the seven centres to ensure a unified technical approach.
“It is important that all centres operate under the same methodology and training philosophy,” Hdidar explained. “For that reason, I will closely monitor implementation through regular visits and monthly evaluations. At the end of the season, a comprehensive assessment of the project’s outcomes will be conducted through festivals and concluding competitions.”
The coach stressed that player development at youth level must prioritise fundamental physical abilities such as speed and coordination, alongside technical skills including dribbling, shooting accuracy and the ability to use both hands effectively.
“These are essential foundations for producing complete and competitive players,” he said.
Regarding talent identification, Hdidar explained that the process will be based on comprehensive physical and technical criteria, as well as clear recruitment guidelines to ensure balanced player profiles across all positions, including left handed players and goalkeepers.
On balancing his responsibilities between the development centres and the national teams, Hdidar said the two roles complement one another and ultimately serve the same objective.
“Our ambition is to establish a ‘Centres National Team’ that brings together the best talents from all seven centres,” he said. “These players will receive additional training camps and development opportunities, creating strong motivation for others and ensuring a sustainable pipeline of talent for the national teams.”
LACK OF EXPOSURE
Discussing the main challenges facing national teams in the Gulf and Asia, Hdidar pointed to the lack of regular exposure to stronger international opposition as one of the key obstacles to progress. He also highlighted the difficulties associated with arranging high level friendly matches during certain periods.
Turning to his first assignment with Oman’s youth national team, which is preparing for the 19th Asian Men’s Youth Handball Championship in Chuzhou, China, from July 15 to 26, Hdidar acknowledged the strength of the competition and the level of preparation enjoyed by several rival teams.
“We are currently working on improving the players’ technical and physical readiness while focusing on collective performance and team cohesion,” he said. “The time available before the tournament is limited, but we will make the most of every day through an intensive preparation programme that includes training camps and daily sessions.”
He underlined the importance of friendly matches in the team’s preparations, describing them as a vital tool for assessing players’ readiness and testing tactical plans before official competition.
As for the team’s objectives in the continental championship, Hdidar stated that the primary focus is on improving performance levels and gaining valuable experience against Asia’s strongest teams.
“Our long-term goal is to prepare a generation of players capable of serving the senior national team in the future,” he said. “That objective is just as important as the immediate results achieved in the tournament.”
Hdidar concluded by expressing confidence that the experience he has gained with Tunisian national teams and various Gulf and Arab clubs will help support the development of Omani handball. He also voiced his hope that the combined efforts of the association, clubs and Athlete Development Centres will produce a genuine technical transformation in the coming years and establish a sustainable foundation for the sport’s growth at both the Gulf and Asian levels.