Latest news with #DevelopmentSquad


West Australian
30-04-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Karratha swimmer Yani Davis qualifies for Aus Swimming Trials after Queensland championships
Karratha teen Yani Davis reigned in impressive results at the 2025 Australian Age and MC Age Championships, qualifying for the 2025 Australian Swimming Trials, the most prestigious domestic swimming event in the national calendar. The trials determine which elite athletes will be wearing green and gold at the World Aquatic Championships in Singapore later this year. Davis, 16, clocked impressive backstroke times in the 50m, finishing seventh at 27.57sec. Additionally in the backstroke 200m, he placed ninth at 2:11.70 and 11th for the 100m at 59.89sec. 'I was up against the best swimmers in the country,' Davis said. 'Henry Allen was there, he is a record-setting backstroke champion.' Davis said his goal was to one day make the Olympic team. 'Until then, my goal is to make the WA Flipper Squad and the Development Squad this year,' he said. 'Then next year, I want to go for the national medal; that's one of my goals before I age out of age nationals.' Karratha Amateur Swimming Club head coach Briana Crisp said Davis' efforts involved a year-long training commitment. 'Each year after the championships, we reset, preparing for the next year's championships,' she said. 'Yani trains six days per week, putting in seven sessions with the swim club each week and two sessions with the Pilbara Sports Academy, totalling nine sessions a week. 'There is also quite a bit of travel to preparation competitions throughout the North West as well as Perth. 'Yani attended four competitions in Perth to prepare for the Championships.'


Observer
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Omani Development Team hosts Bahrain in T20 series
MUSCAT: With youth cricket steadily gaining momentum across the Sultanate of Oman, Oman's Development Squad has taken centre stage this week in a historic bilateral T20 series against the visiting Bahrain national team. The three-match contest, which got underway on Friday, April 25, at the Oman Cricket Academy Grounds in Al Amerat, marks the first official series between two GCC nations featuring all-national players — an unprecedented milestone for the region's cricketing landscape. Led by experienced all-rounder Sufyan Mehmood, the Omani Development Team represents the country's growing pool of homegrown talent. The series is more than just a competitive fixture — it's a celebration of national representation and regional camaraderie. 'It's an absolute honour to lead this talented group of Omani nationals,' said Mehmood ahead of the opener. 'Many of these players have been involved in the sport for several years, and their commitment and hunger for growth is truly inspiring. We've been working hard for nearly an entire season, preparing ourselves for key opportunities ahead — particularly global multi-sport events like the Asian Games, which is a major milestone for us,' he added. Mehmood, who has been a member of national senior team, said: 'This bilateral series against the Bahraini Nationals is not just another contest—it's a historic moment. It marks the first-ever official series between two GCC nations featuring all-national players, and that is a proud occasion for both countries and for cricket in the region. Our preparations have been intense and focused, and I can genuinely see a lot of promise in this squad. The energy, the talent, and the passion among the boys is exactly what you want as a captain. We're looking forward to putting in our best efforts, competing with pride, and hopefully bringing home a memorable series win for Oman.' Omani Development Team in practice Two of the three games were played on the weekend with the final match on April 28 at 2 pm — all taking place on the pristine Turf 1 at Oman Cricket Academy. Omani Development Team: Sufyan Mehmood (Captain), Waheed bin Khalid al Balushi, Issa bin Abdulrahim al Balushi, Shoaib bin Ismail al Balushi, Mohammed bin Ali Akbar al Balushi, Majid bin Hussein al Balushi, Rashad bin Mohammed al Balushi, Sameer bin Othman al Balushi, Ahmed bin Mukhtar al Zadjali, Faris bin Khalid al Balushi, Arif bin Majeed al Balushi, Abbas bin Abdulaziz al Balushi, Muzaffar Shiralkar, Waleed al Balushi. Coach: Prasanth Chandran, manager: Said bin Haidar al Balushi BUSY TIMES FOR OMAN CRICKET The Bahrain series comes amid a particularly hectic stretch for Oman Cricket, underscoring the board's deep commitment to nurturing talent across all age groups and genders. The senior national team hosted a high-profile four-match series against Kerala, India's Ranji Trophy runners-up, offering intense competition and valuable match exposure. On the age-group front, the U19 squad took part in the ICC Asia U19 Qualifier in Nepal, while the U16 team is competing in an ACC tournament hosted in Qatar. The women's national side also completed a promising tour to Dubai, continuing to build depth and experience within their ranks. Adding to the packed calendar, the Karnataka state team from India is set to arrive this week for another eagerly anticipated series. These matches will form a key part of the senior team's preparations for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series in the United States this May.


Muscat Daily
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Muscat Daily
Oman's Development Squad to play Bahrain in historic T20 series
Muscat – With youth cricket steadily gaining momentum across the Sultanate, Oman's Development Squad has taken centre stage this week in a historic bilateral T20 series against the visiting Bahrain national team. The three-match contest, which got underway on Friday, April 25, at the Oman Cricket Academy Grounds in Al Amerat, marks the first official series between two GCC nations featuring all-national players—an unprecedented milestone for the region's cricketing landscape. Led by experienced all-rounder Sufyan Mehmood, the Omani Development Team represents the country's growing pool of homegrown talent. The series is more than just a competitive fixture—it's a celebration of national representation and regional camaraderie. 'It's an absolute honour to lead this talented group of Omani nationals,' said Mehmood ahead of the opener. 'Many of these players have been involved in the sport for several years, and their commitment and hunger for growth is truly inspiring. We've been working hard for nearly an entire season, preparing ourselves for key opportunities ahead—particularly global multi-sport events like the Asian Games, which is a major milestone for us,' he added. Mehmood, who has been a member of national senior team, said: 'This bilateral series against the Bahraini Nationals is not just another contest—it's a historic moment. It marks the first-ever official series between two GCC nations featuring all-national players, and that is a proud occasion for both countries and for cricket in the region. Our preparations have been intense and focused, and I can genuinely see a lot of promise in this squad. The energy, the talent, and the passion among the boys is exactly what you want as a captain. We're looking forward to putting in our best efforts, competing with pride, and hopefully bringing home a memorable series win for Oman.' Two of the three games were played on the weekend with the final match on April 28 at 2pm—all taking place on the pristine Turf 1 at Oman Cricket Academy. Omani Development Team: Sufyan Mehmood (Captain), Waheed Khalid Al Balushi, Issa Abdulrahim Al Balushi, Shoaib Ismail Al Balushi, Mohammed Ali Akbar Al Balushi, Majid Hussein Al Balushi, Rashad Mohammed Al Balushi, Sameer Othman Al Balushi, Ahmed Mukhtar Al Zadjali, Faris Khalid Al Balushi, Arif Majeed Al Balushi, Abbas Abdulaziz Al Balushi, Muzaffar Nasir Hasan Shiralkar, Waleed Rahim Baksh Al Balushi. Coach: Prasanth Chandran, manager: Said Haidar Al Balushi


Times of Oman
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Times of Oman
Omani Development Squad hosts Bahrain in historic all-nationals T20 series
MUSCAT: With youth cricket steadily gaining momentum across the Sultanate, Oman's Development Squad has taken centre stage this week in a historic bilateral T20 series against the visiting Bahrain national team. The three-match contest, which got underway on Friday, April 25, at the Oman Cricket Academy Grounds in Al Amerat, marks the first official series between two GCC nations featuring all-national players—an unprecedented milestone for the region's cricketing landscape. Led by experienced all-rounder Sufyan Mehmood, the Omani Development Team represents the country's growing pool of homegrown talent. The series is more than just a competitive fixture—it's a celebration of national representation and regional camaraderie. 'It's an absolute honour to lead this talented group of Omani nationals,' said Mehmood ahead of the opener. 'Many of these players have been involved in the sport for several years, and their commitment and hunger for growth is truly inspiring. We've been working hard for nearly an entire season, preparing ourselves for key opportunities ahead—particularly global multi-sport events like the Asian Games, which is a major milestone for us,' he added. Mehmood, who has been a member of national senior team, said: 'This bilateral series against the Bahraini Nationals is not just another contest—it's a historic moment. It marks the first-ever official series between two GCC nations featuring all-national players, and that is a proud occasion for both countries and for cricket in the region. Our preparations have been intense and focused, and I can genuinely see a lot of promise in this squad. The energy, the talent, and the passion among the boys is exactly what you want as a captain. We're looking forward to putting in our best efforts, competing with pride, and hopefully bringing home a memorable series win for Oman.' Two of the three games were played on the weekend with the final match on April 28 at 2pm—all taking place on the pristine Turf 1 at Oman Cricket Academy. Omani Development Team: Sufyan Mehmood (Captain), Waheed Khalid Al Balushi, Issa Abdulrahim Al Balushi, Shoaib Ismail Al Balushi, Mohammed Ali Akbar Al Balushi, Majid Hussein Al Balushi, Rashad Mohammed Al Balushi, Sameer Othman Al Balushi, Ahmed Mukhtar Al Zadjali, Faris Khalid Al Balushi, Arif Majeed Al Balushi, Abbas Abdulaziz Al Balushi, Muzaffar Nasir Hasan Shiralkar, Waleed Rahim Baksh Al Balushi. Coach: Prasanth Chandran, manager: Said Haidar Al Balushi Busy times for Oman Cricket The Bahrain series comes amid a particularly hectic stretch for Oman Cricket, underscoring the board's deep commitment to nurturing talent across all age groups and genders. The senior national team hosted a high-profile four-match series against Kerala, India's Ranji Trophy runners-up, offering intense competition and valuable match exposure. On the age-group front, the U19 squad took part in the ICC Asia U19 Qualifier in Nepal, while the U16 team is competing in an ACC tournament hosted in Qatar. The women's national side also completed a promising tour to Dubai, continuing to build depth and experience within their ranks. Adding to the packed calendar, the Karnataka state team from India is set to arrive this week for another eagerly anticipated series. These matches will form a key part of the senior team's preparations for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series in the United States this May.