MUSCAT: Oman’s women’s national basketball team have entered the final phase of their preparations for the fourth Gulf Games in Qatar, with an overseas training camp in Cyprus from May 4 to 10.
The camp comes as part of the team’s build-up for the women’s 3x3 basketball competition, scheduled from May 12 to 14 in Doha. The technical staff aim to use the Cyprus programme to sharpen the players’ physical and technical readiness, while also providing valuable match exposure against different teams before the official competition begins.
Oman had earlier completed an internal camp in Muscat from April 24 to May 3 at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher under the supervision of national team coach Wafa Zaghdoud. The sessions focused on fitness, technical drills, team chemistry and assessing the players’ readiness before moving into the final overseas stage.
The squad includes Shams bint Khalil al Khanji, Reem bint Sulaiman al Sheirawi, Ruba bint Salim al Kalbani, and Fatma bint Said al Numani. The team are looking to deliver a competitive performance that reflects the steady growth of women’s basketball in Oman.
Zaghdoud said the team have made clear progress over the past period, helped by consistent training and participation in several competitions. She noted that the players had gained valuable experience from recent events, including a Gulf tournament in which the team finished third in the junior category, in addition to an Arab participation that also ended with a third-place finish.
The programme did not stop. We continued through several stages, including the international 3x3 basketball event held as part of Muscat Nights, which was an important step in our preparation before the internal camp, she said.
Zaghdoud added that the players showed strong commitment and focus during the Muscat camp, describing the upcoming participation as an important turning point for the team. She said the Cyprus camp would be centred on higher-intensity exposure and contact with players and teams of different levels.
Our main focus in Cyprus is strong match exposure and adapting to a higher rhythm of competition. I am confident the players will develop quickly during this camp, she added.
Speaking about the demands of 3x3 basketball, Zaghdoud said the game requires speed, strength and sharp concentration, especially in transition between attack and defence. She pointed out that the technical staff are focusing on quick movement, finishing under the basket and immediate defensive recovery after scoring or losing possession.
Team captain Shams al Khanji said morale is high ahead of the Gulf Games. We have been training continuously for more than two years and have taken part in local and overseas competitions whenever possible. This is not our first participation, and we feel more prepared this time, she said.
She added that Oman had come close to winning a medal in previous appearances and that the team now feels more confident after a long period of development.
Ruba al Kalbani echoed the same optimism, saying the players are improving well and training with strong spirit and intensity. She said the team’s ambition goes beyond participation, with the players aiming to compete strongly and fight for a medal in Doha.
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