Muscat – The Oman Handball Association (OHA) has appointed Tunisian coach Kamal Hedider to oversee the country’s athlete development centres and national indoor handball teams.

The appointment forms part of efforts by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and OHA to strengthen the sport’s development pathway and build a wider pool of players capable of supporting clubs and the national team in the coming years.

The agreement was signed at OHA headquarters by Musa bin Khamis Al Balushi, president of the association, in the presence of board members and Walid bin Khamis Al Kiyumi, head of the Athletes Preparation Centres Department at the ministry, on Tuesday.

Hedider will supervise handball athlete preparation centres at seven clubs – Al Seeb, Al Shabab, Nizwa, Yanqul, Ibri, Oman and Saham – while also overseeing the national indoor handball teams.

The athlete preparation centres project is a joint initiative involving the ministry, OHA and sports clubs aimed at developing young talent and strengthening the foundations of the sport across the country.

Hedider’s first assignment will be with Oman’s national youth team, which is preparing for the 19th Asian Men’s Junior Handball Championship in Chuzhou, China, from July 15 to 26.

Speaking after his appointment, Hedider said he was pleased to begin his first coaching experience in Oman and was familiar with the current state of Omani handball.

“The next stage requires us to work as one team with the association and technical staff to achieve the objectives that have been set,” he said.

Hedider highlighted the importance of athlete development centres in creating a strong pipeline of players for future national teams.

He added that he had already followed the youth team’s preparations for the Asian championship and would continue working closely with the coaching staff to ensure the squad is fully prepared for the tournament. According to Hedider, the team’s build-up programme will include training camps and friendly matches.