Latest news with #ZouheirAlAyachi
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
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.
