Athlete Development Centre strengthens Oman’s bowling talent pipeline

MUSCAT, SEPT 17
The Oman Bowling Committee (OBC) is stepping up efforts to develop its Athlete Development Centre as a key platform for identifying promising talent, refining players’ skills and preparing them to represent the national teams.
The initiative reflects the committee’s commitment to investing in young bowlers by providing a structured environment in which they can gain technical experience and progress gradually through the sport.
Rather than serving solely as a training venue, the centre provides a comprehensive development programme that assesses players’ abilities, monitors their progress and addresses areas requiring improvement. This is particularly important in bowling, a sport that demands technical skill, accuracy, concentration, mental resilience and the ability to perform under pressure.
Shaima al Hashmi, OBC member and supervisor of the centre, said its role extends beyond organising competitions.
“The centre and the committee closely monitor all male and female players, including their attendance, training commitment, technical performance, mental development and discipline,” she said.
Each player is placed under an ongoing assessment plan designed to strengthen their skills and address weaknesses. The ultimate goal, she added, is to develop well-rounded athletes who are technically and personally prepared to join the national teams.
Al Hashmi stressed that competition results alone do not provide a complete picture of a player’s development. Training performance, commitment to the programme, response to coaching feedback and progress during tournaments are equally important.
“Building a player takes time. It requires continuous training, monitoring and evaluation, while taking individual abilities and different levels into consideration,” she said.
Competitions organised by the centre form an important part of the programme, allowing players to move from training sessions into real competitive conditions. They also help coaches assess how effectively athletes apply their technical and mental preparation.
The centre’s tournament, held at Seeb Bowling Centre in early September, attracted 42 male and female participants. Al Hashmi said such events build experience, strengthen confidence and teach players how to manage pressure. Performance and the ability to apply learned skills are considered as important as final results.
The centre also places strong emphasis on discipline, punctuality, respect for coaches and teammates and sportsmanship.
PROFESSIONAL AMBITIONS
Among the emerging talents is Shawana al Kharousi, who won the individual title and finished third in the doubles competition. She described the experience as an important step in her sporting journey and expressed her ambition to reach professional level and represent Oman internationally.
Elyas al Maimani, runner-up in the individual event, said strong competition among his teammates motivated him to continue improving. His ambition is to compete internationally and represent the national team with distinction.
Through sustained training, assessment and competition, the centre aims to expand Oman’s bowling base, discover new talent and create a strong pipeline for future national teams.