Oman’s preparations on course to host Military Football World Cup

Muscat: With just over two months to go for the 2017 CISM Military Football World Cup, Oman’s preparations are in full swing to organise a successful event.
Air Commodore Maktoum bin Salim Al Mazro’ai, Assistant Chief of Staff for Training and Joint Exercise, declared the Sultanate’s readiness to World Cup from January 15 to 28.
“The preparations are in full swing and we will be ready to host the event in January. We hope to showcase Oman’s organisational abilities, infrastructure facilities and safe environment of the country through this international event,” Air Commodore Maktoum, who is chairman of the Championship Organising Committee, said.
In an interview to the Oman News Agency, he said the Organising Committee is on course with their preparations.
“We have launched the championship logo as well as a booklet on the benefits for the private sector sponsors of the event,” he added.
He also informed that CISM World Cup trophy will be unveiled in December.
“Oman will be the first country to present the winning team with a cup. Previously the winners were honoured with the shield,” he informed.
“Following the launch of the booklet, a number of private sector firms have come forward with sponsorship enquiries. Regarding the broadcast of the event, currently we are in talks with the Public Authority for Radio and Television and a number of other sports channels from outside the Sultanate,” he added.
Match venues
The hosts have already finalised the main match venues — the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, where the opening as well as the final match will be played, the ROP Stadium in Al Wattaya and Seeb Sports Stadium
“The Royal Court Affairs Stadium and the Royal Guard of Oman Stadium will be utilised for the training sessions of the teams,” he said.
Camp in Egypt
Speaking about the preparations of Oman team, he said: “Our team are heading in right direction. The players are in good shape after having undergone several internal training camps. The team had also played friendly matches, including one against Oman U-23 national team.
“The team will be travelling to Egypt in December for another training camp,” he revealed.
In the championship, the participating teams will be divided into four groups with Oman placed in Group A along with Bahrain, France and Guinea. Algeria, Iran, Germany and Brazil will be in Group B while Group C will comprise Qatar, Ireland, USA and Mali. Egypt, Syria, Poland and Canada will play in Group D.