Ali Al Habsi inaugurates all weather pitch at British School Muscat

Muscat: Ali Al Habsi, a goalkeeper for the English football club in Reading, captain of the Omani football team and a popular public figure inaugurated the all-weather pitch at the British School Muscat (BSM) yesterday, among a large crowd of excited school students.
“Ali Al Habsi joined us today for the opening of the all-weather pitch, which is part of Phase 1A, our new development with the science lab opening earlier this month, which is also a part of the same element. So he came and opened the football pitch and the whole school was very excited to see him,” said Marion James, communications manager at BSM.
After the opening of the pitch, one student each from year three to the final year took penalty shots against Al Habsi, and the goalie let some shots in. “The children were so excited—the whole school was out there watching him, but students from year three onwards took penalties against him, there were some great shots that managed to get past him. He was with us for an hour, and it was very nice to see him,” said James.
Following the opening, Al Habsi was taken into the school’s multipurpose hall, where he signed autographs for students on shirts and shoes.
The all-weather pitch, along with 10 New Science Laboratories, was opened earlier this month by the British Ambassador, Jonathan Wilks and Omani adventurer Nabil Al Busaidi, to mark the completion of Phase 1A of BSM’s ambitious campus development. The development of BSM’s campus is important, not just for BSM, but for the wider community, who will benefit from the use of BSM’s enhanced facilities.
“The next phases of development will include a new sixth form block, sports academy and aquatics centre. Plans for Phase 1B include a sports hall and swimming pools. The parking area is also ready,” James added.