OTA’S mini-tennis programme going strong

MUSCAT: The Sultanate’s new national tennis technical staff has recently embarked upon strengthening the Oman Tennis Association (OTA) programmes aimed at developing the standards of the male and female players in the country.

The OTA runs the mini-tennis programme and national team programmes for various age groups.

The OTA has also appointed Mark from Czech Republic as the supervisor general of the new technical team.

The mini-tennis programme was started in 2016 for promotion and development of tennis among the various age groups in preparation for future national teams. It starts with the age group of 5-7 years.

At present, 53 players selected from 100 players are undergoing the training. Thus, the best tennis players in Oman are taking part in the second stage of the programme, which includes daily coaching on the tennis courts of Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher.

The advanced coaching sessions are conducted under the supervision of coach Mark and his two Algerian assistants Nabeel Dob and Soufian Dob, the Russian coach Sergei and national coach Sulaiman Al Rawahi. Al Rawahi made it to the coaching team after passing a coaching course.

In its last meeting, the OTA has decided to terminate the service of the previous technical staff after a long period of work in Oman. The Board of Directors expressed its appreciation and recognition of the former technical staff for their contribution towards developing tennis in Oman. SUPPORT FROM PARENTS OTA Secretary General Mundhir bin Taghlib al Barwani said the ‘mini-tennis’ programme will enter its third year in February 2019 with participation of the best players selected for the second stage.

He pointed out that significant cooperation continued between the players’ parents and the programme’s supervisors.

“This cooperation will help us achieve our goals.”

“The parents are keen to follow up the programmes of their sons/ daughters. This is a good trend towards developing tennis in Oman,” Al Barwani added.