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Oman U-17 beach handball team camp in Tunis

Oman U-17 beach handball team camp in Tunis

Observer14-06-2025
MUSCAT: The Oman U-17 beach handball team are gearing up in the underway external camp in Tunisia ahead of the 25th IHF Men's Junior World Championship which will begin in Tunisia from Tuesday to next Sunday. Oman, making their debut on the world stage, will compete in Group A, alongside former champions and powerhouses including Iran (2017 champions and 2022 bronze medalists), Spain (2018 Youth Olympic gold medalists), and Puerto Rico.
Players in action during the training camp
Under the guidance of head coach Jaber al Balushi, the national squad is undergoing an intensive external training camp in Tunisia, featuring a series of friendly matches against elite international teams to boost their readiness for the prestigious global event.
As part of their build-up, the Omani team had played against Senegal on Saturday night, followed by a match against Brazil on Sunday. On Monday, the team will play Mexico in the morning session and the host nation Tunisia in the evening session. These preparatory matches are intended to simulate real match conditions and provide valuable competitive exposure to the young squad ahead of the championship.
Coach Jaber al Balushi guides the training camp in Tunis
Oman earned their spot in this year's World Championship after receiving a nomination from the Asian Handball Federation (AHF), following Qatar's withdrawal from the tournament. Oman had previously secured fourth place in the Asian Junior Beach Handball Championship in Thailand while Qatar ended in third place.
The national team had completed a rigorous two-month domestic training programme in Muscat before heading abroad to fine-tune their skills. The Omani delegation is determined to deliver a strong performance despite the challenges of debuting on such a grand stage. Oman's group stage campaign will open against Iran on June 17, followed by back-to-back fixtures against Spain and Puerto Rico on June 18.
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