Latest news with #OmanHockeyAssociation
Observer
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Oman Hockey begins campaign at Cairo
MUSCAT, JULY 3 The Oman national hockey team kicks off its participation in the International Tri-Nation Friendly Tournament on Saturday, hosted by Egypt from July 4 to 10. The tournament features three participating nations: Egypt, Croatia, and Oman, and follows a round robin format with home and away matches. The 'Red Warriors' of Oman will play four friendly matches, two against each of the Egyptian and Croatian teams. All games are scheduled to take place at the Suez Canal Authority's hockey stadium. Eighteen players were carefully selected for this campaign following a domestic training camp held at the Rustaq Sports Complex. The squad includes: Khalid al Shaibi, Ibrahim al Farsi, Ahmed al Farsi, Osama bin Ramadan Bait Barzhan, Talal bin Mohammed Bait Hazim, Mohammed al Noufli, Amir al Maashari, Shafi al Shatari, Ayman bin Faraj Madid, Hazza al Balushi, Fahad al Lawati, Faisal bin Awad al Lawan, Al Khader al Noufli, Rashid bin Salem al Fazari, Abdulaziz bin Dawood al Hosani, Osama bin Khamis Bait Fada', and Maitham bin Saif al Wahaibi. The delegation is headed by Abdulrahman al Balushi, a board member of the Oman Hockey Association. The technical and administrative team includes: Mohammed al Gharabi (National Teams Supervisor), Mohammed Bait Jandal (Head Coach), Salah al Saadi (Assistant Coach), and Wajdi Bait Mabrouk (Technical Data Analyst). Head coach Mohammed Bait Jandal emphasised that preparations were intensive, covering technical, physical, and tactical aspects. He explained that the training camp focused on improving play in the final third of the field, enhancing quick offensive transitions, and applying high pressure tactics. The player selection was based on strict criteria including tactical discipline, positional versatility, responsiveness to strategies, and performance in the domestic league. Bait Jandal added "We approach this tournament with a winning mentality. Our main goal is to build a clear identity for the national team and enhance technical readiness ahead of upcoming challenges, especially the Asia Cup scheduled for August in India". Mohammed al Gharabi, National Teams Supervisor, noted that the tournament is part of a strategic plan developed by the selection committee to prepare the team for the Asia Cup. He explained that preparations began with a domestic camp involving 26 players, who underwent a series of evaluations before the squad was narrowed down to 18. He stressed that the tournament is a golden opportunity to test player performance in international settings and allows the technical staff to experiment with multiple strategies and identify areas of strength and weakness. He confirmed that the preparation programme extends beyond the tournament, with a domestic camp followed by an overseas camp in India ahead of the Asia Cup. Team captain Khalid bin Jumaa al Shaibi expressed confidence in his teammates, highlighting the high morale and good team readiness. He emphasised the importance of this tournament in strengthening team chemistry and performance. Al Shaibi said, Our confidence is rooted in our recent triumph at the Asian Hockey Federation Cup, which motivates us to deliver our best in this tournament. I take pride in the fact that the technical team is entirely Omani, and the trust placed in them is already bearing fruit through the positive results we've seen recently. The Oman national hockey team carries high ambitions in this tournament not only as a technical rehearsal for the upcoming Asia Cup, but also as an opportunity to elevate Oman's presence on the international hockey scene, supported by ongoing administrative and technical backing, and a strong desire to showcase Omani sports in the best possible light.
Observer
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Observer
OHA holds meeting with sports clubs representatives
MUSCAT: As part of its ongoing efforts to promote hockey in the Sultanate of Oman, the Technical Committee of the Oman Hockey Association (OHA) held an extensive meeting with representatives of sports clubs, attended by Dr Marwan al Jumaa, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Association, to discuss ways to develop local competitions and enhance both technical and organisational participation. The meeting addressed several key topics, including increasing the number of clubs participating in hockey competitions to expand the game's reach across the Sultanate of Oman's governorates and raise the level of competitiveness among teams. Attendees also discussed the mechanisms for including foreign players and referees in competitions, considering it an important step toward elevating the technical level and providing more opportunities for international experience. The meeting also touched on the latest updates to the game's rules issued by the International Hockey Federation, which will be implemented starting next season. Attendees emphasised the importance of raising awareness of these changes among teams and administrators to ensure effective application. During the meeting, the Association also announced the organisation of a Level 3 coaching course to qualify national talent and enable them to lead teams professionally. Among the proposals discussed was the organisation of public and entertainment events alongside His Majesty the Sultan's Cup for Hockey to enhance the community aspect of the championship and encourage public attendance and engagement. The meeting was attended by Marwan al Jumaa, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Association In this context, Abdulrahman al Balushi, Board Member of the Association and Chairman of the Technical Committee, stated that the meeting focused especially on the HM Cup, which is the oldest and most prestigious competition in Omani hockey history. This year marks the tournament's 55th anniversary, granting it special importance on the national sports calendar. Al Balushi noted that the meeting discussed the need to increase the number of clubs participating in the tournament and encourage them to sign foreign players to raise the competition's technical and promotional level, ensuring broader regional and international exposure. He also emphasised the importance of involving international referees and organising an international refereeing course with both local and foreign participants to enhance the competency of national officiating staff. Additionally, Al Balushi stressed the importance of media and marketing campaigns for the tournament, calling for intensified promotional efforts across various media channels and digital platforms to match the tournament's status and attract audiences for positive engagement. He also highlighted plans to hold accompanying fan events at the hockey field in the Wilayat of Al Amerat to create a festive atmosphere befitting the occasion and to attract a larger number of spectators and hockey enthusiasts. In conclusion, Al Balushi praised the positive response from the participating clubs, which expressed their full readiness to cooperate with the Association in implementing the proposed ideas and initiatives. He affirmed that such consensus would contribute to developing competitions and strengthening hockey's presence on the sports scene in the Sultanate of Oman.
Times of Oman
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Times of Oman
OHA chief lauds team's resilience after historic AHF Cup success
Muscat: Dr. Marwan Al Juma, President of the Oman Hockey Association (OHA), praised the team's resilience and strategic planning after the national team won gold at the 2025 AHF Cup. Al Juma noted that the success was built on lessons learned from past near-misses. 'At last, we were able to break Bangladesh's streak. It was the result of dedication and strategic planning after the finals in 2022, where we lost to Bangladesh in a shootout,' he said. Al Juma added: 'Prior to the 2022 finals in Jakarta, we had also lost to Bangladesh in the final in 2012 in Bangkok and also in 2008, played in Singapore. Speaking from Jakarta, Al Juma said: 'We are proud to say that we dominated this tournament and won gold with our own 100% Omani technical team, which is a first.' Shakir Munir, OHA Technical Director, expressed his delight in the team's accomplishment, calling it a 'dream come true'. 'Witnessing our team clinch the first-ever AHF Cup is nothing short of a dream come true,' he told Times of Oman from Jakarta. 'This victory is not just a testament to our players' hard work and dedication but also a reflection of our hockey association's growing prowess in the world of hockey.' Munir credited the team's preparations, emphasising the importance of the intense training and strategic planning that led to the victory. He said: 'From the intense training sessions to a pre-tournament camp in Pakistan, careful planning has led us to this historic achievement.' 'This triumph ignites a new era for Hockey Oman, inspiring the next generation and heralding Oman's potential in the global hockey family.' With the victory now in the books, Oman's focus shifts to the upcoming Asia Cup in India. Mohammed Al Gharabi, the administrative supervisor of the team, outlined the future plans for the team. 'We will continue to intensify training in the coming period to prepare for the Asia Cup. The focus will be on refining individual skills, tactical drills, and further enhancing physical readiness,' he said. 'We are confident these preparations will significantly raise our performance level.'
