MUSCAT: The Oman Tennis Association has sent 13 national junior players to a training camp at Smash Tennis Academy in Cairo, Egypt, as part of its preparations for upcoming regional and international competitions. Running until mid-August, the camp is being held for the second consecutive year and includes players from the under-10, under-14 and under-16 categories.
The first group, comprising five under-16 players, began training on Sunday and will remain in Cairo until August 15. Led by delegation manager Sara bint Abdulmajid al Balushi, the squad includes Abdulrahman bin Hamad al Rahbi, Moataz bin Issa al Mazroui, Areen bint Hafidh al Azkawi, Salma bint Issa al Riyami and Talia bint Issam al Busaidy. The players are training alongside junior athletes from Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
The second group, made up of five under-10 players, will arrive on July 25 for a programme that runs until August 15. Led by Ahmed bin Ibrahim al Balushi, the squad consists of Omar bin Warith al Shaibani, Hatim bin Ahmed al Rahbi, Hood bin Khalid al Hashmi, Fayyadh bin Hatim al Hilali, and Ali bin Issa al Riyami.
The third group includes three under-14 players — Munther bin Amil al Amri, Imad bin Ahmed al Rahbi, and Reema bin Khalid al Hashmi — under the supervision of delegation manager Mohammed bin Abdullah al Dairi. Their training camp will run from July 25 to August 8.
The association said the camp is designed to strengthen the players’ technical, physical and competitive abilities while preparing national teams for future international events, including the 2027 Billie Jean King Cup Juniors and Davis Cup Juniors.
Sara al Balushi said the academy provides an ideal environment for Omani players to train alongside leading junior players from several Arab countries.
“Smash Tennis Academy hosts players from national teams including Saudi Arabia and Jordan and is regarded as one of Egypt’s leading tennis academies,” she said. “The camp brings together 28 players under the supervision of 12 coaches, with intensive training sessions of up to six hours a day.”
She added that the players will also compete in local tournaments and World Tennis Tour Juniors events in August, giving them valuable international experience as part of the association’s long-term development programme.
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