Monday 06 / January / 2025
MUSCAT: The 2016 Oman Sports Conference, organised by the Ministry of Sports Affairs, concluded at Grand Hyatt on Monday with the speakers stressing the need for good governance, financial independence and transparency and to build a new system, based on the success of the current athletes, to create the stars of the future.
The day-long event, which forms part of the annual Oman Sports Conference and Exhibition, was officially inaugurated by Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in the presence of the Minister of Sports Affairs Sheikh Saad bin Mohammed Al Mardhouf Al Saadi, and saw the participation of local as well as international experts.
Among the speakers to share their views and experiences were Oman’s own sports stars — footballers Ali Al Habsi and Imad Al Hosni, motorsports star Ahmad Al Harthy and sprinter Barakat Al Harthi.
Speaking at the end of the conference, Fahd Al Raisi, Director General of Sports Development and Welfare at the Ministry of Sports Affairs, revealed the details of the recommendations made by the speakers during the day’s proceedings which were largely divided into four sessions — Sports management, Sports funding, Display of successful youth in sports and The importance of youth sector as a foundation for sports system.
According to Fahd Al Raisi, one of the recommendations was to have good governance which will in turn give the much needed confidence to both the government and the private sector to support sports.
The need for more authority for the sports organisations is another point stressed by the speakers with the primary objective of giving more control in making decisions in chalking out plans and strategies for the development of sports.
However, the most important recommendation was regarding the sports funding with the experts stressing the need to reduce the dependence on traditional sources like government and to generate own funds through private sector involvement and investment initiatives.
The other major suggestion, which came after the session on ‘Display of successful youth in sports’, was to build a new system based on the model of the current successful sportspersons to create future stars.
This particular session was moderated by Hameed Al Bloushi, producer and presenter at Al Kas Qatar Sports, and saw Omani legend and English Championship side Reading’s goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi (in a video conference from the United Kingdom), fellow football star Imad Al Hosni, renowned racer Ahmad Al Harthy and star sprinter Barakat Al Harthi sharing their experiences with the participants.
Ahmad Al Harthy spoke about his journey, the stumbling blocks, the hardships he has to undergo and the sacrifices he has to make to reach where he is today.
The Omani racing star also spoke on how the right kind of support from all concerned, the supportive family and most importantly the fans kept him going and how he evolved as a better professional sportsperson and a better human being.
Ali Al Habsi, meanwhile, spoke about his successful journey to the English Premier League via Norwegian league stint with Lyn while Imad Al Hosni spoke about his experience of playing in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Belgium leagues.
The day’s proceedings began with ‘Sports Management’ session moderated by Khaled Al Hachani, Minister's Advisor for Sports Planning at the Ministry of Sports Affairs. The key speakers of the sessions were Prof. Emmanuel Bayle from Institute of Sports Science at the Lausanne University and Dr. Atef Abdallah Al Ruwaidan, Director of Al Hussain City for Youth.
Prof. Emmanuel Bayle spoke on ‘Governance of sport federations: new stakes for new practices’ and Dr. Atef Abdallah Al Ruwaidan spoke on ‘Sports Management: Evaluation criteria and Indicators of success’.
The second session, moderated by Jirayr Habibian, Sports Lawyer and CAS arbitrator, dealt with ‘ways to enhance sports funding and diversify sources in non-profit sports organisations’.
The fourth session, which was also moderated by Al Kas Sports’ Hameed Al Bloushi, dealt with the importance of youth sports sector as a foundation for sports integrated system, institutions and structures management concerned with youth sector, strategies in preparing youth and the role of private sector in youth care.
Ivan Bravo, General Director at Qatar’s Aspire Academy, speaking on ‘Institutions and structures management in youth sector’, detailed about how the academy has made massive contribution to the youth development.
Referring to the number of Aspire graduates making it to the Qatar’s age group football teams and national teams to represent at Olympic Games, he indicated that considering the initial investment ‘on yearly basis pay off is good’.
He also revealed how the Academy is contributing and sharing their knowledge with their constant research on new methodology in sports training.
Tim March, regional manager at Fundacio FutbolNet Barcelona, spoke about how his organisation is involved in promoting positive values through football.
David Graham, CEO of Oman Sail, spoke about the role of the private sector in youth care.
Referring to the success of the Oman Sail schools, David Graham detailed how his organisation is able to involve private sector in delivering great success among the youth.
The Ministry of Sports Affairs annual event will continue with the three-day exhibition, which will be officially opened at the Oman International Exhibition Centre on Tuesday.
Oman Cricket to participate
Meanwhile, Oman Cricket informed that the Sultanate’s cricket body will be participating for the first time in the Exhibition.
“In what has been a momentous year for Oman Cricket, which has seen the game scale incredible heights in both international and domestic fronts, we are eager to share our experience and impart our passion and enthusiasm to all patrons visiting the exhibition. We urge the public to come to our booth and show us your excitement and zeal for development of Cricket in Oman,” an Oman Cricket statement said.
