Muscat, May 7 - Defending champion Al Salam retained the title of the Ministry’s Volleyball Shield Championship after a thrilling 25-22, 25-22, 25-27, 25-22 win over Suhar in the final at the main hall of the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex late on Tuesday. Seeb took the third place after beating Bahla 25-17, 25-17, 25-16 in the third place play-off match. The final match was under the auspices of Shaikh Saad bin Mohammed al Saadi, Minister of Sports Affairs, in the presence of Shaikh Bader al Rawas, chairman of Oman Volleyball Association, dignitaries and top officials.
After the final match, the chief guest gave away the trophies and individuals awards. Saud al Maamari from Al Salam club bagged the best player award in centre (3) award while his team-mate Ibrahim al Muzaini clinched best playmaker award. Also, Krose from Al Salam became best player in centre (2). Abdullah al Muqbali from Suhar clinched Best libero award while his colleague Hilal al Muqbali claimed best player in centre (4) award with Haitham al Shuraiqi from Seeb club. Falah al Jaradi from Al Salam won the best player in general. Saham had clinched the first, second and third edition of the Ministry’s Basketball Shield Championship in 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively. Suhar were crowned the champions in 2015 while Al Salam were the winners in 2016, 2017 and now in 2018.
As many as 13 clubs took part in this year edition of the Ministry’s Volleyball Shield Championship namely Al Kamil W’al Wafi, Bahla, Al Mudhaibi, Ibri, Bidiya, Seeb, Salalah, Al Salam, Mirbat, Al Nasr, Jalaan, Qurayat and Suhar. Al Salam’s beaming coach Jamal al Maamari spoke exclusively to Oman Daily Observer and had glowing words for his club.
“I came to Al Salam club to change the way we play at home and away. Proper planning, qualified technical coaching team, talented and experienced players and experience gained from different international coaching courses and club supporters are the reason behind success of Al Salam in volleyball,” Jamal al Maamari, head coach of Al Salam said.
“We achieved in Al Salam club around six victories within three years in different levels like local, GCC and Arabian championship. Al Salam was one of the second level division clubs and today is one of the best teams in the league. The North al Batinah team is currently considered as the second strongest team in the GCC level and the fourth Arabian club championship,” Al Maamari man added. Shaikh Bader al Rawas, Chairman of Oman Volleyball Association, stated the 2017/2018 season was a successful season. “It was a really super final as both teams Al Salam and Suhar performed a fabulous technical match that reflected the top teams in the Sultanate,” Al Rawas added.
Adil Al Balushi
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