MUSCAT: Thirty coaches and specialists have completed a strength and conditioning programme organised by the Oman Basketball Association (OBA) to improve the physical preparation of young players and strengthen coaching practices across age groups.
Held from October 5 to 9, the programme concluded with a ceremony under the auspices of Waleed bin Khamis al Kiyoumi, Head of the Athlete Preparation Centres Section at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MoCSY).
The course was delivered by Amir Eid, an international instructor with the International Basketball Federation (Fiba), as part of the association’s efforts to develop its talent preparation system.
Participants completed 25 hours of lectures and practical sessions covering warm-up techniques, movement preparation, strength and conditioning programmes, and recovery after training and matches. The programme also addressed the design of physical preparation plans, fitness testing and monitoring players’ progress.
Particular emphasis was placed on adapting programmes to players’ growth and physical development, managing training loads and using performance indicators to assess their needs.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Abu Bakr bin Ahmed al Jahwari, OBA Vice-President and Chairman of the committee overseeing athlete preparation centres, said improving coaching standards was an important route to developing basketball in Oman.
Physical preparation for younger players, he added, must account for age-related characteristics and individual differences. Training should develop fitness as a whole, alongside recovery and injury prevention, to support gradual and safe progress.
COACH DEVELOPMENT
Al Jahwari said the association was prioritising the development of coaches at athlete preparation centres, which play an essential role in identifying and nurturing promising players.
Iskander al Nabli, General Supervisor of the centres, highlighted the combination of theory and practical work as a key strength of the programme.
He said this approach helped coaches understand the purpose of exercises, how to deliver them and when to use them, enabling participants to translate scientific knowledge into practical training and improve the quality and effectiveness of their sessions.
The closing ceremony included the presentation of certificates to participants, recognition of instructor Amir Eid and the presentation of a commemorative gift to the chief guest.
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