Muscat: Oman cricketers, young and senior, will have a lifetime opportunity to interact with a South African legend when Gary Kirsten will visit Oman in February 2023.
Confirming the visit of the World Cup-winning coach, Oman Cricket (OC) said that Kirsten will be visiting the Oman Cricket Academy (OCA) facilities to supervise a four-day camp that will target grassroots development and also include a high-performance camp from February 1-4.
This would be the second camp organised by Gary Kirsten Cricket (GKC) Academy following their success in the inaugural edition in October.
Evert Laubscher, Oman Cricket Academy manager, said: “We are delighted to receive the confirmation that Gary Kirsten will visit Oman in February when the GKC will hold their second camp.
“We had got an encouraging response during the first camp in October. Oman Cricket has been constantly working to ensure that the domestic coaches, young cricketers and beginners are provided top-class facilities to learn, train and improve their skill sets.”
Kirsten will be accompanied by a couple of GKC Academy coaches and will begin the programme with a grassroots camp on February 1 followed by a high-performance camp from February 2-4, aimed at under-14 and under-19 age groups.
A coaches educators’ workshop will also be held during Kirsten’s stay.
Oman Cricket has opened registrations for interested beginners and young cricketers with a fee of OMR 50 for the three-day high-performance camp. OMR 10 will be charged for the grassroots camp with the youngsters getting an opportunity to interact with the legend at the OCA premises.
All the participants will receive a certificate of participation and will also be given a branded shirt from OC and GKC.
A Q&A session is also being planned with the South African batter, who achieved glory as a cricketer and later as a coach.
Kirsten is a household name among cricket fans across the world. Since his retirement in 2004, the former South African opener has devoted his time to running GKC, coaching international teams and franchises and tasted tremendous success, leading India to a World Cup title in 2011 and as a mentor of Gujarat Titans who won the IPL title 2022. In October OC joined hands for their maiden partnership initiative with South Africa’s GKC Academy. A total of 75 players attended the five-day coaching camp that catered to grassroots players, high-performance cricketers and domestic coaches.
It was conducted by two coaches from the GKC Academy – Ryan van Niekerk and Garreth Von Hoesslin.
Ahead of the inaugural camp, Kirsten had sent out a video message. He said: “We can’t wait to share our best thinking with Oman’s best talent. This camp is only the beginning of some exciting things to come, I look forward to seeing and meeting everyone as this partnership grows.”
Looking ahead to the second camp in February, Laubscher said: “Having a legend like Gary Kirsten visit Oman is big news for the cricketers in Oman. It will be an excellent opportunity for all aspiring young cricketers in Oman to interact with one of the most successful coaches in modern cricket.
“Moreover, it won’t just be the players who will benefit from the camp, but also our coaches who will be attending a workshop.”
