MUSCAT: Oman Club are stepping up preparations for the new handball season, placing a strong emphasis on their youth and junior teams as part of a wider effort to return to the forefront of age-group competitions and strengthen the senior squad with young players capable of contributing in the years ahead.
The youth and junior teams began training at Oman Club’s hall about two weeks ago, with attendance increasing as preparations progressed. The opening days were affected by some players being away from Muscat due to travel and holidays, but both squads have gradually become more complete over the past two weeks.
Ahmed bin Rashid al Jasasi, Oman Club handball team manager.
Ahmed bin Rashid al Jasasi, Oman Club handball team manager, said preparations are progressing well and that the club is aiming for a different showing this season as it seeks to restore its former standing in age-group competitions, where it previously competed strongly for titles.
Al Jasasi said the club is strengthening the junior squad with promising players while also supporting the youth team with players promoted from the junior ranks. He noted that the new system, which allows four players to move from the junior team to the youth side, provides an important pathway for development and gives young players a clearer progression through the age groups.
Ahmed al Jasasi, Oman Club handball team manager, said the club is aiming for a different showing this season.
He added that the players have shown good commitment and enthusiasm in training, with the squads becoming more complete in recent days. Three to four players have already emerged as particularly promising, and the club hopes to develop them for eventual promotion to the senior team.
The club’s approach, Al Jasasi explained, goes beyond competing in youth and junior tournaments. It is designed to create a clear development pathway from the junior national team to the youth national team and ultimately the senior squad, ensuring that promising players are developed technically and physically before moving to a higher level of competition.
Looking ahead, Al Jasasi said the coaching staff will continue to improve the players’ fitness and readiness while strengthening positions that require additional depth. The aim is to build competitive squads, with the current group already showing encouraging signs ahead of the season.
The youth and junior teams began training at Oman Club’s hall about two weeks ago.
LIMITED SCHEDULE
At the same time, Al Jasasi called for a review of the number of matches in age-group competitions, arguing that a limited competitive schedule is a genuine challenge for clubs investing in player development. He stressed that building a complete team requires a competitive programme that gives players enough matches to gain experience and improve their level.
Oman Club, he said, are determined to regain a strong presence in age-group competitions and make the new season different by placing greater emphasis on player development and building competitive teams. The club also hopes to use its emerging talents to strengthen the senior squad in the future, supporting the long-term development of handball at the club while providing a stronger pool of players for Oman’s national teams across different age groups.
