Tuesday 14 / July / 2026
CHUZHOU: Oman's national youth handball team has officially begun its final preparations for the Asian Men's Youth Handball Championship after arriving in Chuzhou, China, on Monday evening ahead of the continental tournament.
The Omani delegation was welcomed by the local organising committee before heading to its accommodation, with players quickly shifting their focus to the competition. On Tuesday morning, the squad held its first training session at the championship venue under Tunisian head coach Kamel Hadidder, who concentrated on tactical preparations for Oman's opening match against Saudi Arabia.
The session focused on refining attacking and defensive systems, reviewing tactical scenarios, and making final adjustments before the tournament gets underway.
Hadidder said the team has made significant progress despite having only six weeks to prepare.
"We began by building the players' physical condition before playing two friendly matches against Yemen. Those games were not at the competitive level we hoped for, so we looked for stronger opposition," he said.
That opportunity came through an international friendly tournament in Dubai, where Oman faced the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain.
"The tournament was extremely valuable," Hadidder explained. "We competed against teams with high-quality players. The UAE and Qatar included many naturalised players with strong experience, while Bahrain fielded players competing in their top domestic league. Those matches helped us raise our performance level."
"Those matches gave us confidence and helped us improve. The preparation was not perfect, but it was much better than entering the championship without strong competition," he added.
Following the Dubai tournament, the team completed an intensive domestic training camp featuring morning and evening sessions alongside extensive video analysis of opponents.
Tuesday's practice in China was dedicated almost entirely to Saudi Arabia.
"We reviewed Saudi Arabia's attacking and defensive systems and worked on the tactical solutions we will use in the opening match," Hadidder said. "I also reminded the players that they must play with personality, confidence and pride while representing Oman."
Although Oman has been drawn into a challenging group featuring Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and host nation China, the coach believes commitment and teamwork can make the difference.
"The group is difficult, but we will rely on discipline, collective spirit and tactical preparation. We hope to achieve results that make everyone proud."
Players also expressed optimism after their first session in China.
Left wing Amir Al Balushi said the squad immediately settled into tournament mode.
"Our first training session went very well. The coaching staff explained the tactical plan clearly, and everyone gave their best. We hope to achieve success and represent Oman proudly."
Backcourt player Essam Al Balushi praised the atmosphere within the squad.
"The enthusiasm among the players was incredible. We've worked hard throughout our camps in Oman and during our overseas preparations. The federation has provided everything we needed, and we are determined to give everything we have during this championship."
Fellow left wing Wahaj Al Balushi echoed those sentiments.
"Everyone is excited about the tournament. We trained with great energy today, and we are grateful to the Oman Handball Association and the coaching staff for their continuous support. Our goal is to return home with performances that make our supporters proud."
Goalkeeper Waleed Al Balushi revealed that much of Tuesday's session centered specifically on Saudi Arabia.
"We focused on the tactical plan for our opening match. In the coming days we will also prepare for the other opponents. We are determined to deliver our best performances throughout the championship."
Meanwhile, Oman Youth Indoor Teams Director Anwar Al Balushi praised both the players' commitment and the federation's preparation program.
"Our delegation arrived safely, and everyone is fully focused. The federation worked hard to provide the best possible preparation through domestic camps and the international tournament in Dubai. The players understand the responsibility they carry, and we believe they can represent Oman with distinction."
Oman will continue daily training sessions in Chuzhou before opening its Asian Championship campaign against Saudi Arabia, aiming to make a strong start in one of Asia's most competitive youth handball tournaments.
