Sunday 29 / December / 2024
Muscat: Hussain Taha’s participation at the 2024 World Aquatics Short Course Swimming Championships in the Hungarian capital of Budapest recently marked a groundbreaking moment for Oman.
Representing his country on the world stage, Hussain became one of the first swimmers trained at a private club in Oman, Nautilus Swimming Club, to compete in such a prestigious event.
Hussain’s achievement not only showcases his personal talent but also elevates the reputation of Nautilus Swimming Club in Oman, proving that world-class coaching and development can also thrive outside of traditional, association-run programmes.
The worlds, held at the renowned Duna Arena, saw elite swimmers from around the world battling for supremacy.
Among them was 16-year-old Hussain, who competed in the 400m individual medley (IM) and the 100m breaststroke.
Hussain’s feat was more remarkable, considering he was the youngest competitor in the 400m IM, which featured seasoned athletes. He clocked a time of 4:36.34, securing 38th place overall - a strong performance for his age.
In the 100m breaststroke, Hussain set a new national record for Oman, posting a time of 1:03.97, with a 50-metre split of 29.93
seconds.
His performance further solidified his position as the fastest breaststroker in Oman and a leading competitor in the GCC region.
With 645 FINA points, Hussain’s results reflect both his dedication to the sport and the high level of training he has received at Nautilus Swimming Club, under the guidance of Olympic coach Ivan Proskura.
Founded in 2015, Nautilus Swimming Club has quickly become a cornerstone of competitive swimming in Oman. The club has built a reputation for developing top-level athletes, thanks to its rigorous training programmes and the expertise of its coaching staff.
Hussain’s success is a direct result of the club’s commitment to excellence and the personalised training plans that have helped him break national records in both age group and open categories.
Beyond Hussain’s individual achievement, Nautilus has consistently produced swimmers who have excelled in regional and international competitions.
Young swimmers like Jihed Jabeur, who won the 50m butterfly at the Tunisian National Championships, and brothers Dylan and Rhys Williams, who earned medals at the Swim Wales Championships, are a reflection to the club’s ability to nurture talent.
Additionally, swimmers like Wathiq, Muhammed, and Yaseen Mbaye, who performed well at the Tanzanian National Swimming Championships, and Jia Parijat Singh, who won a medal at the 14th Sub-Junior and Junior Chhattisgarh State Swimming Championships in India, further highlight the club’s broad impact.
Additionally, 14 talented Nautilus swimmers from various Indian schools in Oman delivered outstanding performances at the CBSE Oman Cluster Meet. They went on to represent the Indian Schools team from Oman at the CBSE National Swimming Championships, bringing home an impressive array of medals.”
Hussain’s journey to the world championships is a milestone for Oman’s swimming community. While his achievements are impressive in their own right, they are significant because they underscore the growing role of private clubs in the country’s aquatics development.
Nautilus Swimming Club has demonstrated that high-quality training and the support of Oman Aquatics (formerly Oman Swimming Association) can create pathways for Omani swimmers to compete on the global stage.
Hussain’s success serves as an inspiration to young swimmers across Oman, particularly those at Nautilus, showing that with dedication, quality coaching, and the right support, athletes can achieve their dreams.
The support of Oman Aquatics, the national governing body for swimming, was instrumental in Hussain’s journey. Their collaboration with private clubs like Nautilus has helped athletes like Hussain achieve international success.
The partnership highlights the importance of fostering a positive relationship between public and private entities to create a thriving sports ecosystem in Oman.
Hussain’s performance at the 2024 worlds not only marks a personal milestone but also reinforces the growing prominence of private swimming clubs in Oman and sets a new benchmark for the future of swimming in Oman.
