Oman girls' team gears up for Gulf, Arab tourneys
Muscat, May 6
Oman's girls' 3x3 basketball team continues its intensive preparations ahead of upcoming competitions, as part of a comprehensive training programme aimed at preparing the players for two major tournaments: the Gulf Girls 3x3 Basketball Championship, which will be hosted in Dhofar this September, and the Arab 3x3 Championship set to take place in November at Al Mouj Muscat.
Training sessions are held at the secondary hall of Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher, under the supervision of Tunisian coach Wafa Zagdoudi and assistant national coach Nidal Al Mughairiyah, with the participation of 19 players from various age categories. The team trains five times a week—two sessions focus on physical fitness and strength building, while the remaining three are dedicated to refining technical and tactical basketball skills.
The squad includes 19 players: Shams Al Duha al Khanji, Abeer al Ismaeili, Ghadeer al Ismaeili, Reema al Mughairi, Noor al Kharousi, Malak al Sulaimi, Buthaina al Maamari, Zainab al Busaidy, Ruba al Kalbani, Nareen al Maamari, Maryam al Nomani, Fatma al Nomani, Sayyida Sara al Saeed, Somaya al Falahi, Sayyida Lamar al Saeed, Aseela Yasser Suleiman, Aisha al Yafei, Marwa al Ajami and Zaina Batash.
In an exclusive statement, head coach Wafa Zagdoudi emphasised the importance of this phase of preparation, saying: 'We are currently focused on building chemistry among the players and improving their physical and technical performance, especially since most of them are participating in a major tournament for the first time. We have promising talents, and the performance is improving with every session. Our goal is not just to participate honourably, but to compete and achieve positive results.'
She added: 'We are following an increasingly intensive training pace, while also taking into account the age differences among players. Our current priority is to enhance team play skills and prepare the girls to handle various match scenarios. We're also working on building their confidence both on and off the court.'
This training programme is part of the strategic plan of the Oman Basketball Association, which is placing growing importance on developing girls' teams in an effort to strengthen women's participation in the sport and expand its base, in alignment with regional and international efforts to advance women's sports in the Sultanate.
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