MUSCAT: The Oman Golf Association (OGA) unveiled its new national team coach, Richard Michelmore, at the Oman Olympic Committee headquarters on Wednesday.
The press conference also witnessed a meeting with the players of the national teams, which provided an opportunity for the coach to interact with the players and learn about their preparations and future aspirations.
OGA Vice-President Faiz Mohammed Riyad welcomed the attendees, saying: “I am honoured to stand before you today to celebrate our national team and introduce a prominent figure in our association.”
Riyad stressed that the great development was witnessed by golf in the Sultanate of Oman thanks to the various programmes targeting juniors and schools, and the efforts to spread the game among girls. He also expressed his gratitude for the continuous support and follow-up of HH Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth.
“The passion and commitment of our national team players is what has brought them to this point, and we are very proud of their achievements. Each one of you embodies the spirit of excellence and leadership that defines our nation,” added Riyad.
Introducing the new coach, the OGA vice-president continued, “Today we are here to introduce our new coach and director of golf, Richard Michelmore. With a distinguished career and a proven track record of developing talent and enhancing teamwork, Richard brings a wealth of experience and a fresh vision to our team. We are confident that under his leadership, our players will achieve new levels of excellence.”
ROLE OF NEW COACH
Riyad spoke about the new coach’s role, saying, “In your dual role as coach and director, your vision and strategic thinking will be essential in guiding our programme and enhancing our operations. We are delighted to have you on board, and look forward to the positive impact you will make.”
“I would like to remind our national team players of the immense pride that everyone in Oman and the Oman Golf Association has in you. Your hard work, discipline and achievements are greatly appreciated. You are not just representing yourselves; you are ambassadors for our nation, showcasing the talent and resilience that sets us apart.”
For his part, new coach Richard Michelmore expressed his delight at joining the national golf team, saying, “It is a great honour to be here and to be able to set a plan for the future of golf in Oman and develop the national team. Our aim is to create great energy and enthusiasm for golf in Oman.”
Michelmore spoke about his sporting background and career, saying, “I grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa, and played for the national junior golf team and Springbok golf. I then received a full scholarship to the University of South Florida in the United States and played collegiate golf there, where I won several tournaments, including the Florida State Classic.”
He expressed his passion for coaching, saying, “I was a professional golfer and played for eight years. In life, you have to try new things, and I found my true passion in coaching.”
Michelmore pointed to the importance of developing golf in schools, saying, “The main goal is to get the country really interested in golf and promote it effectively. We need to start by attracting people to try golf, especially in schools. Children need to see and experience golf. By showing them golf and giving them the opportunity to try it, we can provide them with role models to feel that they can succeed in this sport too.”
He hoped for a bright future for golf in Oman, saying, “I expect very good results with the talent that is there and the high standards of golf here. I am looking forward to winning some gold medals in the future.”
Photo by: Hussein al Muqbali
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