(MENAFN - Muscat Daily) Taha al Kishry was re-elected as chairman of the Oman Swimming Association (OSA) for another four-year term on Sunday, defeating his lone opponent, Sami Abdul Aziz al Bahrani of Oman Club, 15-5.The elections to the OSA's nine-member board for the 2012-2016 term took place at the Oman Olympic Committee's headquarters in Muscat following the swimming body's annual general meeting (AGM).A total of 20 clubs out of 21 affiliated with the OSA took part in the polls, with Hamra Club failing to turn up at the AGM.Kishry, who was nominated by Ahli-Sidab Club for the polls and is also the director-general of the Asian Swimming Federation (AASF), has again been joined on the board by Bahla Club's Qais al Zakwani as general secretary and Al Nasr Club's Abdulhakim al Shanfari as treasurer. Both Zakwani and Shanfari were re-elected unopposed.Also, Bahla Club's Usama Barwani was elected unopposed as the new vice-chairman. He replaces Oman Club's Hamood al Alawi, who didn't contest.For the five posts of board members, 11 candidates were in the fray. Turki al Salhi (Sohar Club), Abdulmoneim al Alawi (Al Talee'a Club) and Salim al Alawi (Al Kamil W'al al Wafi Club) were re-elected while Rashid al Hashmi (Al Bashayr Club) and Saud al Balushi (Al Musannah Club) are the new faces.Former board member Ahmed al Hassani (Samail Club) lost while Saeed al Shahri (Dhofar Club), who resigned from the board earlier this year, didn't contest.Kishry said after the win, ''I thank all the clubs for their overwhelming support, they have expressed their confidence in me for the second time in a row. This win has increased my responsibilities."The main challenge for us now is to host the 23rd GCC Championship in October 2013. We want to set new standards for it, both in terms of organising the event and in terms of results.''Zakwani said the OSA will focus more on Asian level competitions, now that Omani swimmers are routinely making an impact in GCC competitions.He said, ''Omani swimmers have been doing well lately at the GCC level. We would like to see them do well at the Asian level also. Over the next four years in Oman, we will concentrate on promoting diving.''Salhi said, ''Four years ago, we made a plan to set up regional centres across Oman. It has been implemented successfully. Now, over the next four years, we will increase the number of competitions at these centres in a bid to spot young talent for the national teams. The next four years will be challenging.''The five elected members are Turki al Salhi (17 votes), Abdulmoneim al Alawi (14), Saud al Balushi (12), Rashid al Hashmi (11) and Salim al Alawi (10).
