MUSCAT: The Ordinary General Assembly of the Oman Volleyball Association (OVA) discussed the plan to host the third largest beach volleyball tournament in the world. The association confirmed that it would discuss the hosting idea with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth.
The OVA is working with the International Volleyball Federation to send a delegation to visit of Oman to assess the hosting requirements. If the Sultanate of Oman wins the bid to host the International Beach Volleyball Challenge, it will be held in the Dhofar Governorate.
This came during the meeting chaired by Eng Ibrahim bin Abdullah al Muqbali, OVA Chairman.
At the beginning of the meeting, Ibrahim al Muqbali welcomed the members and thanked the sports clubs for their efforts in developing Omani volleyball. He praised the cooperation between the association and the clubs and the keenness of the clubs to participate in the OVA competitions and activate volleyball programmes. He thanked Sohar Club for hosting the West Asian Championship and congratulated the clubs that won the league competitions.
Al Muqbali referred to the meeting of the Board of Directors to diversify the mechanisms of supporting clubs and directing 80 per cent of the sponsorship that the association receives from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth to support sports clubs. All clubs that participated in the OVA competitions for the sports season 2023-24 will receive financial support of RO 500. Al Muqbali confirmed that the association is communicating with the clubs to know their status and is working to provide the necessary support.
The OVA discussed the need to amend the general league regulations and change the lottery system. It explained that the current system does not reflect the efforts made by the clubs in preparing the teams for long periods, and causes large financial losses and pressures that the clubs' capabilities cannot bear. The association called on to reconsider the competition system, increase the number of competitions and championships for age groups, and discuss the timings and schedules of these competitions to agree on dates that satisfy all parties.
Regarding the centres for preparing players for volleyball, the meeting discussed the lack of a technical committee to follow up on the work of these centres and issue periodic reports that are presented to the clubs. Al Muqbali confirmed that the association is studying stopping the work of these centres due to the inconsistency of the mechanism adopted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth with the Board of Directors of the Association. The association did not receive the support agreed upon with the ministry. He added that they are suffering from another problem with the ministry regarding the allocation of an insufficient amount for the technical expert, and the lack of regular training for the centres; coaches due to their non-receipt of their dues.
He explained that there is a plan to contract with a coach nominated by the International Volleyball Federation to train the women's national team and prepare it for external participation.
The OVA announced the plan of the first volleyball team for the current year, which includes internal and external camps. The team will take part in the Asian Challenge Championship in Bahrain in May, Arab Championship in October in Bahrain and Asian Games to be held in Thailand in November.
The meeting concluded by approving the budget and final account for the past year, and re-constituting the elections, appeals and electoral challenges committees, in addition to discussing a membership application submitted by Taqah Club.
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