MUSCAT: Salalah are continuing their preparations for the 3rd Fatima Bint Mubarak Academy (FBMA) Basketball Cup for Ladies 2026, as the Omani side gear up to compete against leading Arab teams in Abu Dhabi.
The tournament will be held from August 27 to 31 at the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy in Abu Dhabi, with seven Arab teams taking part in the third edition.
Salalah have stepped up their preparations through intensive daily training sessions at the indoor hall of the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher. The programme has focused on improving the players’ physical and technical readiness, developing individual and team skills and strengthening cohesion within the squad.
The coaching staff have also emphasised tactical work and implementing the systems the team will rely on during the competition.
The preparations come amid strong administrative and technical support aimed at providing the squad with the best possible conditions ahead of the tournament. The team features a combination of Omani players and professionals from Lebanon, giving the squad a blend of local talent and international experience.
Salalah have been drawn in Group Two alongside Qatar’s Al Gharafa, Kuwait’s Fatayat Al Oyoun and Jordan’s Al Moqawloon.
The Omani representatives will begin their campaign against Al Gharafa on Thursday, August 27, at 5 pm. They will face Fatayat Al Oyoun the following day at 3 pm before concluding their preliminary-round fixtures against Al Moqawloon on Saturday, August 29, at 5 pm.
12-player squad
Salalah will represent the Sultanate of Oman with a 12-player squad. The delegation is headed by Asma al Bassami, while Nelly Tanios Saliba is the head coach, assisted by Marwa al Ajmi. Nada al Zadjali serves as the team physiotherapist.
The squad comprises Shams Al Duha Al Khanjari, Ghadeer Al Ismaili, Fatma al Numani, Ruba al Kalbani, Buthaina al Maamari, Reem al Shirawi, Sumaya al Falahi, Noor al Balushi, Rima al Mughairi, Cynthia Michel Riz, Lea Elias Khalil and Nancy Raymond al Maalouf.
The tournament marks Salalah’s second appearance in the competition, providing the players with another opportunity to build on the experience gained from their previous participation.
Salalah will be looking to translate their intensive preparations into strong performances as they seek positive results against teams bringing different styles and competitive experience to the tournament.
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