Latest news with #OVA
The Hindu
14-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Onattukara Vikasana Agency plans tablet form of Kerala's GI-tagged Onattukara sesame
The Onattukara Vikasana Agency (OVA), the registered owner of the geographical indication (GI)-tagged Onattukara sesame, is planning to introduce it in tablet form so that it can be used as a nutritional supplement and health food. As part of the initiative, Onattukara sesame will undergo further studies at the Jubilee Centre for Medical Research. 'Since the 18th century, Onattukara sesame has been used in Ayurvedic treatments. Later, due to its recognised medicinal properties, it began to be used in various forms. The OVA is now working to make it available in tablet form. The agency has entrusted the research centre with conducting the study and submitting a report. The entire cost will be borne by the agency,' said an official of the OVA. The study will look into whether Onattukara sesame oil causes any toxicity when used, and determine the quantity that is safe for human consumption. Dr. Dileep Vijayan, who is leading the study at Jubilee Centre for Medical Research, said that the research would first be conducted on human body cells in the laboratory, followed by three phases of testing on rats. Onattukara sesame received the GI tag in 2023. It is cultivated on around 600 hectares across 43 local bodies in the districts of Alappuzha, Kollam and Pathanamthitta. The OVA, with Agriculture Minister P. Prasad as its chairperson, plans to increase the area under sesame cultivation in the region to 2,000 hectares. Medicinal value An earlier analysis by Kerala Agricultural University revealed that the oilseeds possess enhanced medicinal value. Compared to sesame grown elsewhere, those from this region contain high levels of vitamin E and antioxidants. It also contains oleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitoleic acid and other beneficial compounds that help maintain good health. Besides the traditional Ayali variety, farmers in the region cultivate Kayamkulam-1, Thilak, Thilathara and Thilarani varieties — all developed by the Onattukara Regional Agricultural Research Station.
Observer
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Oman team gears up for volleyball championship
MUSCAT, JUNE 29 The Oman national men's volleyball team continues its intensive training programme in preparation for the West Asian Championship, set to take place in Manama, Bahrain from July 17-24, 2025. The coaching staff is working to ensure peak physical and technical readiness ahead of this key regional competition. As part of the preparation phase, Engineer Ibrahim bin Abdullah al Muqbali, President of the Oman Volleyball Association (OVA), visited the team's current training camp at Sohar Sports Complex. During the visit, he met with the players, coaching, and administrative staff, praising their efforts and emphasising the need to intensify preparations in the coming period. In a statement, assistant coach Hamid al Muqbali expressed gratitude for the association's support, noting that preparations began immediately after the conclusion of the local league. The comprehensive programme, supervised directly by the association president, includes the appointment of Iranian coach Mohammad Vakili former coach of Al Salam Club and a highly experienced figure who previously led Iran's youth team to a world championship title. The technical staff also includes Iranian specialists in physical conditioning and analytics, as well as local professionals serving as assistant coach, fitness trainer, and physiotherapist. Al Muqbali explained that the first stage of preparation included selecting an extended squad of 22 players based on performance in a competitive and professionally enriched local season. The squad later participated in domestic camps in Sohar and Muscat and played two successful friendlies in Dubai against the UAE youth team, winning both matches without dropping a set. The squad was then trimmed to 14 players, in accordance with official competition regulations. The team began its overseas training camp in Egypt on June 21, where it has so far played and won two friendly matches against Egypt's youth team as part of an intensive tactical and technical development plan. FOCUS ON PHYSICAL AND TACTICAL DEVELOPMENT Al Muqbali emphasised that the current camp focuses on several key areas: modern strength building techniques to enhance muscular endurance, improvement of individual skills, addressing weaknesses, and developing team harmony and tactical execution. He highlighted that Coach Mohammad Vakili's previous experience in Oman has allowed him to quickly understand the local players' capabilities and design an effective training approach. As for the squad composition, Al Muqbali noted a significant rejuvenation of the team, with the promotion of young talents such as Hamad al Maamari (Al Salam), Abdulbasit al Balushi (Sohar), Adam al Jaradi, and Abdullah al Shibli. He stated that the current squad's average age positions it as one of the most promising teams among Gulf nations in terms of readiness and future potential. FRIENDLY MATCHES PLANNED WITH SAUDI ARABIA The team will continue its friendly match schedule in Egypt before returning to Oman, where it will host the Saudi national team from July 1 to 9. Four friendly matches are scheduled during that period, which will serve as the final phase of preparation before heading to Bahrain for the championship. Regarding the training structure in Cairo, Al Muqbali explained that mornings are dedicated to correcting errors and implementing tactical plans, followed by fitness sessions in specialised gyms. Evening sessions are reserved for friendly matches. He concluded by praising the training environment at the Hassan Mostafa Sports Complex in Cairo, which offers modern facilities, including gyms, recovery amenities and multiple training halls in one location maximising the benefits of the training camp.
Observer
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Oman beach volleyball reach 2nd West Asia final
MUSCAT, MAY 10 Oman's national beach volleyball team, led by the duo Mazin al Hashmi and Hood al Jalbubi, continued their successful campaign in the West Asia Championship held in Doha, Qatar, after securing a well-deserved 2-0 victory over Saudi Arabia to advance to the final. The first set began with clear dominance from the Saudi team, who capitalised on Oman's early handling errors. Riyadh Ali opened the scoring with a precise drop shot, followed by three consecutive points amid Oman's defensive lapses, putting Saudi Arabia ahead 4-1. However, the Omani duo didn't give up. Mazin and Hood gradually regained their rhythm with short plays and powerful serves that disrupted Saudi's reception. Mazin kept the pressure on with consecutive points, while Hood excelled at the net with a successful block, leveling the score at 8-8. From that point on, Oman took full control of the set, exploiting Saudi's serving and receiving errors to extend their lead and close out the set 21-15. In the second set, Oman started strong again with Mazin al Hashmi opening the scoring and continuing to add points through powerful serves, while Hood maintained his impressive performance to push the score to 4-1. Saudi Arabia responded with three consecutive points to tie the set, but Oman regained the lead through Hood, who made it 6-5. The contest remained tight until Oman gradually widened the gap, with Mazin al Hashmi securing the final point to seal the set once again at 21-15. Badr al Subhi, Oman's national beach volleyball coach, expressed his great joy at the team's qualification for the West Asia Championship final. He said, Congratulations to everyone on reaching the final. We are here to defend the title we won last year in Jordan, and we pray that the players succeed today in claiming the title once again. He added, 'We entered this championship after the conclusion of the local league, placed in Group B alongside Bahrain. We managed to win and advance to the quarterfinals, where we defeated Qatar 2-1. We continued our journey successfully by beating Saudi Arabia in the semifinals.' The coach highlighted the team's noticeable improvement, saying, 'The team's performance is improving day by day, and the players' focus increases with every match. We hope to complete this journey by winning the title.' In conclusion, Al Subhi thanked the Oman Volleyball Association (OVA) for its support and stressed the importance of continuing to participate in regional, continental and international tournaments to improve the team's global ranking. He stated, 'The coming period requires more participation in Asian tours and world championships, because rankings are the key to entering major competitions. The better our ranking, the greater our chances of qualifying for global events.'
