“Oman and Zanzibar Strengthen Bilateral Ties: Focus on Economic, Cultural, and Health Cooperation”
Inaugurated by Bank Muscat in 2012 and benefitted more than 200 sports teams across Oman
MUSCAT,
Bank Muscat, the leading financial services provider in the Sultanate of Oman, remains dedicated to community service and social responsibility, aligning its initiatives with sustainable development goals. Since its launch in 2012, the Green Sports programme has registered a positive feedback, fostering competition among local sports teams for support in categories such as natural or synthetic turf, lighting systems, and water desalination. Building on the success achieved thus far, the Bank recently announced the names of the 20 winning teams for this year’s 13th edition of Green Sports in a joyous event organised in Bank Muscat Head Office.
Officials of several sports teams from across the Sultanate have appreciated and praised Bank Muscat for its very important role in supporting the youth and local communities. In particular, they hailed the Bank’s pioneering role in enhancing sports, social and community bonding and youth empowerment in Oman. They emphasised the initiative’s influence on providing youngsters with the necessary tools and an appropriate environment to develop their skills and talents.
The contribution of the Green Sports programme dose not only revolve around sports, but encourages greatly on enhancing the role of voluntary work and community initiatives. Speaking about this, Rubaia Mubarak Al Khalili, Head of the Al Etihad Sports Team in the Williayt of Bahla, pointed out: “The initiative not only improved sports facilities but also stimulated investment opportunities for the team. The addition of natural grass and lighting have allowed the team to host various events, generating additional income and providing a safe, high-quality training environment for players. Bank Muscat’s contribution has helped us to take advantage of an equipped sports field that can be used to host various sports tournaments and events. This in turn will provide an additional source of income for the team, as well as publicity by inviting media personnel to cover various events held, thus contributing to the development of the team.”
Rubaia Al-Khalili explained: “On the technical level, the addition of the natural turf provided a suitable environment for the team to get high-quality training, consequently elevating the level of players and refining their skills. It also contributed to providing a professional competitive atmosphere that enhances the performance of players in local tournaments. And for the community, it encouraged people to exercise and improve their fitness, positively impacting their health. As a team, we aspire in the long term to invest in the premises by creating new opportunities for investment. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Bank Muscat for their support, calling on private sector companies to follow this model and implement projects that support the community as a whole.”
As a key pillar of Bank Muscat’s CSR programmes and initiatives, the broader vision of the Green Sports programme focuses on the importance of benefiting various groups of the society. One successful example in achieving this goal is Al Shabab Sports team of the Yanqul Sports Club.
Ahmed Saleem Al Alawi explained: “The implementation of the turf for the team’s field contributed to serving five age groups, including children within The Academy, which was launched on the opening day of the project; juniors; youth, who represented some of the Sultanate’s sports clubs, including Yanqul, Majis and Bahla; and the main team of Al Shabab Team, the official representative, which was able to win the Yuqul Club Cup in the first year of inaugurating the project. And finally, elderly members who founded the team and had a clear imprint in supporting its members.”
The Head of Al Shabab Sports Team continued: “I would like to extend my appreciation to Bank Muscat for its programmes and initiatives in general, and the Green Sports programme in particular. I hope such programmes will continue supporting and encouraging local sports teams.”
Khalifa Hamad Al Hasani, Deputy Head of the Azaiba Cultural and Sports Team, highlighted the programme’s transformative effect on sports infrastructure, noting its direct benefits for local teams. The Azaiba team, for instance, enhanced its field facilities through improved lighting, enabling more events and activities, particularly in the evenings. He further added: “considering that it is one of its kind, the Green Sports programme contributed today in the emergence of Omani talents and enhanced the role of local teams in supporting national sports.”
Khalifa Al Hasani also expressed his appreciation for Bank Muscat for its dedication to develop sports fields across Oman, stating: “The programme is a great example for supporting the youth and contributing to the development of local teams, which represent strategic locations for organising various social activities.”
On his part, Fahad Salem Al Zuhaimi, a sports journalist, expressed his appreciation to Bank Muscat for implementing this important programme, and emphasized its role in empowering Omani youth and enhancing the infrastructure of local sports teams. Since its inception, the Green Sports programme has supported 203 teams and benefited around 70,000 members.
He added: “The programme witnesses great turn out each year by teams from various governorates, which in turn contributed to enhancing green spaces in the Sultanate. Bank Muscat is keen to continue supporting such programmes for their positive impact, especially for the youth. In addition, the programme witnesses a noticeable attention from media due to its importance in developing sports teams and supporting Omani youth to become stars in the future.”
As part of its ongoing commitment, Bank Muscat will continue to enhance community engagement through the Green Sports programme, with plans for new field openings and further support for local teams across the Sultanate.