Oman Basketball team keeps shape ahead of GCC tourney

Oman national basketball U-18 team is undergoing training in a camp in Dubai ahead of their GCC Basketball Championships, which will take place in the UAE from July 29 to August 7.

The head coach, Mohammed al Qusaimi told the Observer that the team’s training is on the right track. “ After several domestic warm-up gatherings followed by an external camp, the team is improving day by day. There is much better harmony among the players. The camp in Dubai will feature some tough friendly games ahead of the championships. All this leads to better readiness of the team ahead of the tournament,” he said.

Responding to a query on the team's chances in the GCC championships, the head coach replied,” Our target is to compete for the top three places. I am pretty sure the team is capable of competing with the rivals and accomplishing the desired goal.”

The GCC Basketball Championships will act as qualifiers for the final stage of FIBA U18 Men’s Asia Championship in Iran this August. The first and second placed teams will seal the spots for the final stage qualifiers.

Coach Al Qusaimi affirmed that the championship, after suspension of two years due to Covid outbreak, will witness tough competitions. “ All the participating teams will have new faces and talented youngster members in the squad. All of them will eye on first places and many of the teams have long preparations plans in abroad camps. The same is for the Oman team as we will work towards accomplishing the top three places. We will work hard to raise the flag of our country high in this event,” he said.

During the camp , the team will play three preparatory games against some international basketball academies. The first match took place on Thursday while the following fixture will be scheduled on Sunday. The third game will be played on Wednesday.

Oman Squad: Bashar Hisham, Qaiser al Balushi, Sufyan Bait Tawfeeq, Al Waleed al Mawali, Said Ghassan, Al Hawari al Hashli, Ayoob al Jabri, Mohammed al Raisi, Faisal al Abri, Ahmed al Saadi, Abdurahman al Mamari, Mohammed al Wahaibi, Mundher al Mandhari, Turki al Balushi, Faisal al Balushi, Rayan al Balushi, Jaad al Balushi and Abdul Aziz al Balushi.