Jameela AlNashaba Discusses Bahrain’s Groundbreaking Tennis Initiative

TDT - Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

Insights from Jameela AlNashaba

The Bahrain Tennis Federation’s new women’s tennis training program is generating significant excitement and anticipation. Speaking exclusively to Hussain AlMaskati of TDT, Jameela AlNashaba, Head of the Ladies Tennis Committee, outlined the program’s inspiration, goals, and expected impact.

Inspiration Behind the Program

The launch of this program was driven by a vision to expand tennis participation and emphasize the sport’s global importance as an Olympic event. According to AlNashaba, “Our goal is to introduce women in Bahrain to tennis and teach them the game’s rules and techniques, regardless of their prior experience”. She highlighted the program’s aim to empower women and create a sense of community through competition. Tennis, she said, provides significant benefits, including stress reduction—an important factor for many women dealing with life's challenges.

Main Goals of the Program

AlNashaba outlined several key objectives for the program. One major goal is to empower female leadership within the tennis community. “We want to develop skills necessary for managing teams and clubs and influencing decision-making in sports governance”, she explained. This objective reflects a broader ambition to increase female representation in all aspects of the sport.

Another goal is to improve coaching competence. Participants will receive training to enhance their coaching skills, focusing on developing talent at all levels. “We’re providing advanced coaching techniques to help female coaches support players in reaching their full potential”, AlNashaba noted.

The program also aims to enhance officiating skills. AlNashaba emphasized the importance of preparing women for officiating roles, such as umpiring and refereeing. “Equipping women with the skills for these roles is essential for increasing their representation in all facets of the sport”, she said.

The program also seeks to foster a supportive network of female tennis professionals. “We want to create a space where women can share experiences, support each other, and collaborate on initiatives to advance women in tennis”, AlNashaba added.

What Participants Can Expect

Participants in the program will benefit from a comprehensive curriculum. They will engage in leadership development workshops covering strategies, effective communication, and decision-making in sports management. “We’re providing tools to help women become effective leaders within the tennis community”, said AlNashaba.

In coaching, the program includes hands-on training in player development, performance analysis, and mental conditioning. “Our focus is on coaching female athletes and helping them excel”, she highlighted.

Officiating training will cover tennis rules, match officiating, and ethical standards. “We want to ensure that women are well-prepared for officiating roles”, AlNashaba noted.

Participants will also have opportunities for networking and mentorship with established professionals. “Building connections with experienced professionals is a key part of the program”, she said.

Looking Ahead

The response to the program has been overwhelmingly positive. AlNashaba said, “Interest has surpassed expectations, and many women are eager to continue their involvement beyond August”. The enthusiastic reception to the new training program highlights its success and potential impact on women’s sports in Bahrain.

Under Jameela AlNashaba’s leadership, the Ladies Tennis Committee is already planning future initiatives to further support and promote women’s tennis. The Bahrain Tennis Federation’s commitment to expanding opportunities for women and fostering a vibrant sports community is clear, with the program poised to make a lasting impact both locally and beyond.