Sunday 28 / April / 2024
Muscat: Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, in step with its ‘Let’s Do More’ vision and ‘Imprints’ initiative to support youth and promote Oman as a sporting nation, celebrated the inauguration of two football fields developed as part of the Green Sports initiative.
The 25th Green Sports football field was presented to Al Taawin Sports Team in the wilayat of Shinas in North Batinah governorate, followed by the 26th football field to Al Qabsan Sports Team in the wilayat of Samayil in Dakhiliyah.
Mohsin bin Hamed Al Masroori, Vice-Chairman of Oman Football Association (OFA), was the guest of honour at the ceremony in Shinas attended by dignitaries and senior bank officials.
Addressing the gathering in Shinas, Abdul Rahman Shizawi, Regional Manager – North Batinah, reiterated the bank’s support to develop modern sports infrastructure across the Sultanate, complementing the government efforts in building a sporting nation.
"The initiative benefiting communities, especially youth, is aimed at contributing to sustainable development and all-round progress in Oman," he added.
Abdullah bin Ali Al Abri, Chairman of Al Taawin Sports Team, said: “We are thankful to Bank Muscat for the Green Sports initiative, which has made vital contributions to creating an environment encouraging Omani sports talents. The unique initiative is a big support for the country’s youth and we are confident that many youngsters will benefit from this programme and become sporting heroes for the country.”
HH Marhoon bin Turki Al Said presided over the ceremony in Samayil to inaugurate the 26th football field developed for Al Qabsan Sports Team.
Abdullah Al Roshdy, Regional Manager – South Dakhiliyah, in the welcome speech highlighted the bank’s support to Oman’s youth in achieving sporting excellence for the country. As the nation’s leading financial institution, Bank Muscat aims to motivate other corporates to provide the required impetus for youth to excel in all arenas, he added.
Mahmoud bin Falah Al Dageshi, President of Al Qabsan Sports Team thanked Bank Muscat and said the Green Sports initiative was a big boon for the development of sports and the game of football in Oman.
The Green Sports initiative launched by Bank Muscat in 2012 has gained momentum with a total of 63 teams across the Sultanate benefiting from the support till date. Marking the sixth year of the unique CSR initiative, the bank will support the development of 15 football fields in 2017.
The 2017 Green Sports programme has evoked big response as 86 sports teams have applied seeking support for greening and infrastructure development of football fields. In the coming days, the Green Sports committee will review the applications and make field visits to short-list the 2017 Green Sports beneficiaries.
The scope of Green Sports support for sports teams include greening of football fields with natural or synthetic turf, floodlights or water desalination equipment in areas facing problems of water salinity. Ensuring wider representation, the Green Sports support is extended to develop sustainable sports infrastructure in all parts of the Sultanate.
The criteria for availing the Green Sports support include that sports teams should have been in existence for three years with a minimum of 300 members from the local community. The bank recognises that local teams wield immense influence on neighbourhood communities, especially youth, hence teams with modern infrastructure facilities can help raise sporting heroes for the country.
The Green Sports initiative has created an ideal platform for social engagement among youth. The football fields developed as part of the Green Sports initiative are serving as a meeting place for children and youth to be engaged in social activities leading to development of strong community bonding and positive character traits. The fields are used to host various activities such as Ramadhan nights, group weddings and other community celebrations.
Bank Muscat is committed to its ‘Let’s Do More’ vision for the community and the nation and is proud to have led the way in contributing to sustainable development in Oman with various initiatives. As the nation’s leading financial institution, Bank Muscat aims to provide the impetus for youth to excel in all arenas and thereby contribute to the development and progress of Oman.
