Muscat – Oman Athletics Association (OAA) has started a sports development centre for girls in Muscat in a move aimed at increasing female participation in athletics and strengthening the pipeline of competitive athletes.

The centre is designed as a training platform to identify and develop talent, with  focus on preparing participants for domestic and international competitions. The initiative is part of broader efforts to expand the presence of Omani women in sports and establish a sustainable base in athletics.

Noura bint Salem Al Balushi, board member of OAA and supervisor of the centre, said the programme reflects a long-term strategy to build a generation of competitive female athletes. The training framework covers technical, physical and psychological preparation, within an environment aimed at supporting participants’ development.

According to Noura, the selection process was carried out in two phases across public and private schools in Muscat. The first phase shortlisted 50 students from 12 schools, while the second phase selected 15 students from four schools following specialised physical and skills assessments.

Participants are currently training under the supervision of Shanoona Al Habsi, an Omani coach with experience in athlete development. The association said the programme will continue to identify and support emerging talent as part of its development plans.