Basketball veterans organise annual Ramadhan gathering
A group of former basketball stars from the 1980s and 1990s gathered for their annual Ramadhan gathering at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher. The event brought together more than 21 players over the age of 40, representing clubs such as Ahli Sidab, Oman Club, Seeb Club, Nizwa Club, Bausher Club, and Al Bustan Club (currently Muscat).
Thani bin Ali al Khalasi, an international referee and one of the main organisers of the gathering, said: “Thank God, the gathering was a success for the basketball family, which brought together former basketball players from the national team and clubs.”
He explained that the gathering is held annually during the holy month of Ramadhan and that it was prepared and coordinated with all former players who represented the national teams and clubs in the 1980s and some players from the national team and clubs in the 1990s who have reached the age of 40.
He added: “We aim through this gathering and meeting to create a link of communication between former players and revive the beautiful memories in the game and the efforts made by these players at the beginning of the game which formed the first nucleus of the national basketball team in the Sultanate of Oman.”
He explained that the meeting included dividing the players into groups, where friendly competitions were held between these teams in an atmosphere of joy and happiness. It also provided a good environment to experience the new rules of the game and recall the beautiful days that the players spent on the courts.
At the end of his speech, he expressed his thanks and appreciation to all the former players who interacted on this day and attended to participate in making it a success, stressing that the gathering was able to achieve its goals by bringing together the old generation of basketball players, to become a meeting place to communicate and restore memories after a long period of absence and retirement from practicing the game, some of whom joined the coaching staff and some of them are in the arbitration, while some have retired from the game. This gathering also provided an opportunity to revive the old spirit and competition.