Muscat – The Young Sports Leaders Programme started on Sunday in Nizwa, Dakhliyah as part of a nationwide initiative to develop student leadership in school sports.

Organised by the Oman School Sports Association in cooperation with the School Sports Committee of the Directorate General of Education in Dakhliyah, the five-day programme is being held at Nizwa Sports Complex and will conclude on Thursday. Teachers and students from Grade 1-4 and Grade 5-10 schools are participating.

The training in Dakhliyah is led by Mohammed bin Saif al Wardi, Dibaj bint Mohammed al Balushi and Muzna bint Khamis al Ameri.

The programme aims to enhance the capabilities of physical education teachers to train students and expand to schools in all governorates. It focuses on empowering young student leaders to organise school and community sports activities while promoting healthy lifestyles. It also seeks to strengthen partnerships with community institutions.

Activities combine theoretical and practical training delivered in four stages. The first stage, held on Sunday and Monday, trained 20 teachers as local instructors. The second stage, on Tuesday and Wednesday, will see these teachers apply the training with 40 selected students.

The third stage on Thursday will feature a sports festival involving 100 students from Grade 1-4 schools. After the first week, participating teachers will continue implementation in their schools by hosting sports festivals to qualify for official certification as local trainers.

The programme is being implemented in the first semester of this academic year in five governorates. It was earlier held in Muscat and North Sharqiyah from October 19 to 23. Following Dakhliyah, it will move to South Batinah (Rustaq Sports Complex) from November 2 to 6, and then Musandam (Khasab Sports Complex) from November 9 to 13.