I have been a board member of the Oman Fencing Committee since 2023. The committee is the national body for the sport of fencing in Oman. This essay explains what serving on the board of a sport committee involves, from my seat.
A national body for one sport
A national sport committee has a clear focus. It looks after one sport for the whole country. A sport needs a steady base to grow, and its national body helps to build that base.
In general, a sport board does not run training or competitions day to day. Other people do that work. The board sets the direction and checks that the work follows it.
What the board does
Board work in sport is similar to board work in a company. A board meets and makes decisions. It agrees plans and checks progress against them. It also makes sure that the body follows the rules that apply to it.
Each decision needs a clear record. A sport body changes people over time. Athletes move on, and board members finish their terms. The records let the next board understand why a decision was made.
A national sport board also speaks for its sport. In my view, a board member carries that duty in each meeting and outside it.
Governance in a sport setting
Sport has its own pressures. Results come in public, and people feel strongly about them. A board must keep its decisions fair and its process clear. That protects the athletes and the trust of the people who support the sport.
I also serve as Secretary to the Board of DataOm, and I lead strategic planning at ITHCA Group. Those roles taught me how a good board prepares. Clear papers and clear minutes save time. They keep the discussion on the decisions that the board must make. I think the same habits apply to a sport board.
Planning for the long term
A national sport needs a long-term view. Young athletes take years to develop. A plan for the sport must look past one season. A board can help to keep that view when short-term questions take up the time.
My work in strategic planning helps here. A plan is useful only when the board can measure it. In my view, a board should set targets that it can track from one meeting to the next. A board that can see progress can act early when something goes off course.
What the role gives back
Board service in sport is a form of public service. It gives time to something that matters to the country beyond business. I run BHD Group as founder and CEO, and my day is mostly business. The committee reminds me that governance serves athletes and the public too.
It also teaches patience. A sport grows slowly, and a board must accept that. The work of one board becomes the base for the next one.
The point of the work
A national sport committee exists so that the sport has a future in Oman. The board serves that purpose. I aim to bring careful preparation and a clear plan to each decision.
Related: My career and Board KPIs that a board can actually use.