During the press conference that followed his introduction as the new coach of the Oman national team on Monday in Muscat, the President of the Oman Football Association, Suleiman bin Hamoud, confirmed that signing the national coach Tarik Skitiwi represents a “significant gain.” He noted that the association was fortunate to persuade the Moroccan coach despite the multiple offers he received recently.
Bin Hamoud explained that the agreement with Skitiwi is based on a shared vision, primarily focused on transferring elements of the Moroccan experience to Omani football. He emphasized that the convergence of goals and ambitions aided in concluding the negotiations, which were conducted in secrecy before the official announcement.
For his part, Skitiwi expressed his happiness at leading the national team, reiterating his intention to build a comprehensive football project that balances achieving short-term results with establishing foundations for sustainable long-term development.
The Moroccan coach stated that the warm welcome he received upon arriving in Muscat reflects the high expectations, adding that this increases his responsibility to enhance the team’s performance and elevate its standards.
Skitiwi revealed that one of his priorities is to convey the Moroccan experience, which has notably progressed in recent years, especially in terms of training and grassroots development. He believes that implementing this model requires gradual work that encompasses all components of the football ecosystem.
Regarding technical challenges, he stressed the necessity of refreshing the team and building a competitive squad by improving physical, mental, and tactical aspects, highlighting that issues related to offensive ineffectiveness are more linked to the collective system than just the attack line.
He also underscored the importance of investing in youth categories by establishing clear training programs to prepare a new generation of players, affirming that enhancing youth competitions is a fundamental pillar for any long-term football project.
Skitiwi concluded by emphasizing his desire to work in coordination with various stakeholders in Omani football, aiming to build a team capable of competing and achieving results that meet fans’ aspirations.
