Latest news with #OBA
Observer
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Oman finish fifth after close battle with UAE
MUSCAT, JULY 13 The Oman U-16 national basketball team concluded its campaign in the Gulf regional qualifiers for the Asian Championship with a dramatic 65–69 loss to the UAE in their final match, held at the Bahrain Basketball Association Arena in Umm Al Hassam, Manama. Oman approached the game with a defensive mindset, while the UAE team imposed their rhythm early on with fast breaks and inside scoring, ending the first quarter ahead 24–17. In the second quarter, the UAE continued to dominate as Oman struggled with defensive coverage and transition play. The UAE extended their lead, winning the quarter 17–11 and closing the first half with a 41–28 advantage. The third quarter saw a clear improvement in Oman's performance. The team increased its offensive intensity, particularly through Adam al Hinai and Saif al Yahyaei, who helped narrow the gap with swift movement and accurate shooting. Oman won the third quarter 24–15. The fourth quarter was evenly contested. Oman pushed hard to equalise and even led briefly, capitalising on the UAE's physical fatigue. Oman scored 11 points to the UAE's 7, bringing the game to a 63–63 tie at the end of regulation and forcing overtime. In the extra period, Oman rushed several plays, resulting in missed opportunities, while the UAE capitalised on their chances and scored 6 points to Oman's 2, securing a hard-fought 69–65 victory. For Oman, standout player Adam al Hinai scored 25 points, followed by Saif al Yahyaei with 12 points, Sami al Busaidy with 11, and Elias al Obaidani with 6. On the UAE side, Hussein Fadel led the scoring with 23 points, while Hamdan al Shaddadi contributed 11. In the second match of the final day, Saudi Arabia defeated Kuwait 73–50, securing qualification alongside Bahrain. With this result, Oman finished the qualifiers in fifth place. From the Gulf region, Bahrain qualified with a perfect record of 8 points from all wins, while Saudi Arabia came second with 7 points from three wins and one loss. Both teams have now secured their spots in the Asian U-16 Championship, which will take place in Mongolia this August. Oman's 12 player squad for the qualifiers included: Saddam al Shezawi, Khuzaymah al Shibli, Rashid al Isaei, Abdulrahim al Rushdi, Elias al Obaidani, Al Mulhim al Obaidani, Abdulsamad al Subhi, Muhannad al Batashi, Adam al Hinai, Jayyed al Kindi, Saif al Yahyaei, and Sami al Busaidy. The official delegation also included: Abubakar al Jahwari, Vice-President of the Oman Basketball Association (OBA); Saeed al Habsi, Acting Secretary-General; head coach Zouhair al Ayashi; assistant coach Ali al Balushi; team manager Ghassan al Busaidy; and physiotherapist Amer al Zaidi
Observer
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Tough start for Oman U-16 in Asian qualifiers
MUSCAT: Oman's U-16 national basketball team began its Gulf region qualifiers campaign for the Asian Championship with a heavy defeat against Bahrain, losing 44–96 in a match held on Monday evening at the Bahrain Basketball Association Arena in Umm Al Hassam, Manama. The game saw clear dominance from the Bahraini team, which imposed its rhythm from the very first minutes, taking advantage of its superior physical and technical preparation. Bahrain's players demonstrated accuracy in shooting and quick transitions in both offense and defense, while Oman's team struggled with rushed decisions and a lack of focus for most of the game. In the first quarter, Bahrain came out strong, asserting control through fast play and scoring from various ranges. Oman's players had difficulty penetrating Bahrain's defense, and the quarter ended 31–11 in Bahrain's favor. The second quarter showed a slight improvement in Oman's performance in terms of positioning and ball pressure. However, defensive lapses and repeated turnovers gave Bahrain easy scoring opportunities, allowing them to widen the gap further and close the quarter 29–12. In the third quarter, fatigue became apparent among Oman's players, whose defensive performance declined alongside a lack of concentration in passing and slow coverage. Bahrain capitalised on this, scoring heavily through fast breaks and ending the quarter 19–8. The Omani squad in the tournament includes 12 players, coached by Tunisian Zouheir Al Ayashi The fourth quarter witnessed individual attempts by Oman players to reduce the deficit, notably by Al Mulhim al Obaidani and Adam al Hinai, but Bahrain's defense remained solid and maintained their dominance. The quarter ended 17–13, sealing a comprehensive 96–44 win for Bahrain. From Oman's side, standout player Al Mulhim al Obaidani scored 17 points, followed by Adam al Hinai with 12 points, Rashid al Siyabi with 7 points, and Saif al Yahyai with 6 points. For Bahrain, Somto Patrick led with 15 points, while Mohammed Adel added 12, and Hassan Abdulqadir contributed 11 points. The Omani squad in the tournament includes 12 players, coached by Tunisian Zouheir Al Ayashi, with Omani assistant coach Ali al Balushi. Team management is overseen by Ghassan al Busaidy, with Amer al Zaidi serving as the team's physiotherapist. Also present to support the team is Abu Bakr al Jahwari, Vice-President of the Oman Basketball Association (OBA). UPCOMING MATCHES FOR OMAN: Oman continues its qualifying campaign with a crucial match against Kuwait on Wednesday. The third game will be against Saudi Arabia on Friday, July 11, followed by the final group match against the UAE on Saturday evening.
Observer
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Oman U-16 continues intensive training camp in Buraimi
MUSCAT, JUNE 21 The Oman U-16 national basketball team is continuing its intensive training sessions with enthusiasm and discipline as part of its closed domestic training camp at the Al Buraimi Sports Complex, which runs until June 24. The camp is part of the team's serious preparations for the Gulf Zone Asian Qualifiers, which will take place in the Kingdom of Bahrain from July 7 to 12. Only two teams from the Gulf will qualify for the final Asian Championship. The training camp is led by Tunisian coach Zouheir Al Ayachi, supported by national coach Ali al Balushi, as part of a comprehensive preparatory programme ahead of the external training camp in Bahrain, set to begin on June 26. The technical staff is intensifying the team's daily training sessions, which include both morning and evening practices. These sessions focus on developing individual and collective skills, improving technical performance in both offense and defense, and enhancing tactical coordination. The coaching team has also divided the players into practical groups to implement tactical strategies and foster on-court chemistry. AYACHI 'WE'VE DEVELOPED THE TEAM' In a statement, Coach Zouheir Al Ayachi emphasised that the domestic camp in Al Buraimi is a critical phase in the team's preparation journey. He noted that the efforts made over the past months are beginning to bear fruit. This closed camp in Al Buraimi is part of a comprehensive plan to develop the players both technically and physically. We've focused heavily on refining individual skills and improving players' performance in team situations, both offensively and defensively. We've seen noticeable progress in several players who are beginning to show strong tactical awareness on the court, said Ayachi. Ayachi praised the high morale and commitment of the players, saying, The players are very dedicated and truly eager to improve, which is very encouraging for us as a technical team. We are currently preparing them mentally and physically for the qualifiers in Bahrain. We know it will be a tough challenge against teams like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which have long-term development programmes and strong resources. But we believe in our ability to deliver a strong performance and compete for one of the two qualification spots. He concluded by saying, we hope the external camp in Bahrain will provide one final opportunity to enhance tactical cohesion. We also call on the Omani public to support these promising young players who represent the future of basketball in the Sultanate of Oman. It's worth noting that the current training camps are part of a comprehensive plan developed by the coaching staff and approved by the OBA Board of Directors. This plan included several short weekend camps that accommodated the players' school commitments and participation in the youth league. The plan also includes an external camp in Bahrain shortly before the qualifiers, to boost the team's readiness and provide them with valuable competitive exposure against strong teams.
Observer
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Coach Ammar al Kathiri joins ICAB programme
MUSCAT, JUNE 18 The Oman Basketball Association has announced the nomination of national coach Ammar al Kathiri to participate in the International Coaching Apprenticeship in Basketball (ICAB) programme. The initiative is organised by the University of Delaware in collaboration with the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), and the World Association of Basketball Coaches (WABC), with full support from the Olympic Solidarity programme. The programme will run from June to November 2025. The ICAB programme is recognised globally as a leading initiative in developing basketball coaches, combining academic instruction with practical field experience. It comprises four interconnected phases designed to enhance coaching capabilities through a blend of theoretical and practical learning. The first phase is an online module delivered twice monthly, featuring specialised lectures and applied assignments aimed at reinforcing modern coaching concepts. The second phase involves a two-day in-person module held on the University of Delaware campus, including interactive workshops and direct engagement with top training experts from the US. The third phase is a hands-on field experience in which participants are integrated into NCAA Division I basketball team programmes. This phase offers close-up exposure to professional coaching methods and team management systems. The programme concludes with a final in-person unit where participants return to the University of Delaware to present their acquired knowledge and propose a professional development plan tailored to the needs of their home environments. Coach Ammar al Kathiri will travel to the United States to participate in the in-person components of the programme, with all expenses covered by the Olympic Solidarity programme. In an exclusive statement, Al Kathiri expressed his pride and gratitude for the opportunity, saying Who wouldn't dream of learning basketball from its very source in America? Living daily with NCAA teams and observing their operations closely is every coach's dream. This is truly a priceless opportunity. He also appreciated the support of the OBA and the trust placed in him by the Technical Development Committee, adding This experience will be a turning point in my coaching career. We will be exposed to the latest theories and practices in the basketball world, and we'll return with practical knowledge that can help develop the game locally. For his part, Abu Bakr al Jahwari, Vic-President of the Oman Basketball Association (OBA) and Chairman of the Technical Development Committee, stated Coach Ammar's nomination aligns with the Association's strategy to empower national talents and expose them to world-class training experiences. We believe this investment will positively impact the future of basketball in Oman. He added Our partnership with Olympic Solidarity and the Oman Olympic Committee in such programs offers Omani coaches a unique opportunity to gain exposure to advanced methodologies and contribute to building a strong technical foundation for Omani basketball.
Observer
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Observer
U-16 Basketball Team continue camp in Buraimi
AHMED AL KAABI MUSCAT, JUNE 15 The Oman U-16 national basketball team continues its training at the closed internal camp at the Al Buraimi Sports Complex, as part of the final stage of preparations for the Gulf regional qualifiers of the Asian Championship. These qualifiers will be hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain from July 7 to 12, with only two teams from the Gulf earning qualification to the Asian finals. The camp began last Friday and will run until June 26, under the supervision of Tunisian coach Zouheir Al Ayachi and his Omani assistant, Ali al Balushi. The team is undergoing two training sessions daily morning and evening focused on skill development, tactical awareness, and physical conditioning. In coordination with the technical staff, the Oman Basketball Association (OBA) plans to arrange friendly matches during an external camp in Bahrain starting June 27 to boost readiness before the qualifiers. The team aims to play four friendly games two against Manama Club, one against Muharraq Club, and another against a local Bahraini academy. The national team has gone through several preparation phases, starting with weekend camps, followed by a mid-year camp that included trial matches against youth teams from Al Seeb, Al Amerat and Nizwa. These matches provided the coaching staff with valuable opportunities to evaluate the players and address weaknesses. Following the conclusion of the youth league, the team entered a closed camp that included a series of friendly matches in the UAE. Among them was a close game against an academy that ended in a narrow two-point loss, and a strong win over the UAE national team with a score of 56 – 29 — a significant improvement considering that Oman had previously lost to the same team by more than 15 points in the last Gulf Championship. The current camp includes 15 players: Saddam al Shizawi, Khuzaymah al Shibli, Rashid al Eisai, Mohammed al Shizawi, Abdulrahim al Roushdi, Elyas al Obaidani, Al Mulhim al Obaidani, Abdulsamad al Subaihi, Muhannad al Batashi, Nawar al Bahlouli, Adam al Hinai, Jade al Kindi, Saif al Yahyai, Sami al Busaidy, and Sultan al Sinani. Also participating in the camp are Ghassan al Busaidy, Director of National Teams, and Amer al Zaidi, the team's physiotherapist, as part of the administrative and medical staff. In a statement, head coach Zouheir Al Ayachi said, We are working according to a detailed training plan that progresses from improving fitness to focusing on both team and individual tactics. There is a clear improvement in the players' performance, especially in passing and off-the-ball movement. Al Ayachi emphasised that the upcoming external camp in Bahrain will be a decisive step in the team's preparations, pointing to the value of the friendly matches to be played there. The coaching staff hopes that this intensive preparation will result in an honorable performance in the qualifiers and achieve the goal of qualifying for the Asian Championship finals.
