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Samba soccer forays into Oman

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MUSCAT, OCT 10 - The Sultanate’s sports culture now gets a samba touch. Samba soccer, a mix of futsal and beach football and played in Brazil for several years, was introduced at a special event at the Al Mazaar Edutainment Centre in Shangri-La on Tuesday.


To be held in collaboration with the Pro11 Academy, children between the ages of 4 to 16 will be trained every Saturday starting from November till April 2018.


“This is the first time that Oman is hosting samba soccer in its soil and we are really proud of it,” says Firas Matraji, CEO of Barr Al Jissah.


Basically, samba is a Brazilian musical genre and dance style, but boasts of a global fan following. Although there were various forms of samba in Brazil with popular rhythms originated from drumming, samba as a music genre is seen as a musical expression of urban Brazil. It has been played by world’s leading football stars such as Pele, Maradona, Messi, Neymar Jr, Kaka, Xavi, Ronaldo, Robinho, Ronaldinho to name a few.


Samba Soccer Club is the premier developmental programme and international tour organisation whose training programme is based on Brazilian and Dutch playing philosophies and the Samba curriculum encourages soccer foot-skill and academic development, social activities, and family participation.


“A total personality moulding will take place by learning samba soccer by helping the children express themselves and nourish creativity within them,” Matraji said adding that this game is a great addition to the range of healthy activities offered here at Al Mazaar.

“We want to encourage a healthier and sports-oriented lifestyle amongst children, as well as promote greater involvement with the local community in Muscat. This ongoing programme caters not only to the aspiring soccer players of tomorrow, but just about any child with an interest or flair for sports. The professional trainers at Pro11 are amongst the best in the country, and given the love for soccer in the Sultanate, I am confident samba soccer will be a grand success for young football lovers.”


After having displayed the benefits of this style of training on the world stage, the Pro11 Academy puts a huge emphasis on ball mastery and making players technically comfortable to receive the ball in all areas and under any pressured situation.


“Samba soccer is perfectly in line with this style of training and in fact, research has shown that this style of soccer leaves players touching the ball 200 per cent more than regular soccer training,” said Dominique Gauci and Peter Mountford, Academy Managers at Pro11.


“We coach players with relevant techniques, depending on their age and ability, to fun samba music enabling them to use a variety of skills to remember each training drill that will stay with them for life. Our professional coaches provide a training structure, but players are encouraged to express themselves with their own creativity at every opportunity,” they added.


“We are pleased to have partnered with Barr Al Jissah for this new soccer programme, their facilities at Al Mazaar are a perfect fit for our programme and will provide the perfect venue to ensure the students make the most of this programme,” he added.


Al Mazaar Edutainment Centre, located at Barr Al Jissah, is a unique combination of Oman’s traditional arts, culture, sports and educational activities through a dynamic and inspiring experience for kids and their parents, family groups and school excursions.


“Catching them at young, children will be trained in all these sports and art activities to complement their personality development so that they can grow up to be better citizens and give back to the society,” Nidhal Aouali, Assistant Manager at the Al Mazaar added.


KABEER YOUSUF


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