Basketball Therapy For Children in Oman

T-Mag Thursday 06/October/2016 11:49 AM
By: Times News Service
Basketball Therapy For Children in Oman

Ali ran towards the basket, jumping and slamming the ball down over the rim. The crowd at The Sultan’s School went crazy, cheering and clapping for the slam dunk, excitedly watching the children on the court. Talal Taimur Al Said, head coach of the newly launched basketball academy, Next Generation Sports, watched silently, signalling to Ali to run for his second shot.

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Next Generation Sports Oman, is a youth basketball programme initiative through which Talal hopes to not only teach children about basketball, but teach them life skills as well.

“Our aim is to create a foundation where young people can grow and are encouraged to expand their horizons. We encourage good, disciplined behaviour, offering a safe environment and healthier lifestyle alternatives,” said Talal, while talking at length about the new academy.

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The Omani sports pro studied sports management for three-years in South Africa, where he coached at the primary school, high school, university, and club level for 12-years and opened his first academy, Mahikeng Basketball Academy (MBA). Though he enjoyed his time in South Africa, he always nurtured the dream of coming back to Oman to do something for the children of his homeland through basketball.

“At NGS (Next Generation Sports) we focus on shaping tomorrow’s leaders through sports-based player development, placement, and league activities for children ages seven to eighteen. Our programme also includes organising weekend games that are open to the public and the community,” Talal explained.

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Whether his kids shoot hoops or dribble the ball well, basketball is a game that keeps them fit as it requires a lot of running and jumping, helping to burn of calories and develop cardiovascular endurance. According to experts, one can burn 160-765 calories playing basketball for 30 minutes, and since it keeps the heart rate up, the endurance it requires promotes heart health and reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke later in life. “In addition to basketball, we also go through exercise and stretching routines, along with building stamina and weight loss,” said Talal. Apart from the wide range of physical skills, research has also shown that children develop a great deal of attention while playing the game, reducing their stress and enhancing confidence.

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Talal truly believes in the power of this sport to help children in their lives off the court. He feels that working as a team and learning physical discipline can go a long way in helping with anger management and other behavioural issues. As with any sport, basketball has rules, and breaking them can result in penalties and time off the court. In that way, he has seen the game immensely improve the self-discipline of his students, while funnelling the typical teenage angst into healthy competition.

“It is inappropriate to punish a bad behaviour, and at the same time it’s essential to show them the right way. Discipline should be implemented with the main intention to teach and help them focus. As a coach it is our duty to keep them motivated,” he explained. “A good shot at the game can increase your self-esteem and help gain more confidence.” And that’s something every child could use more of.

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