Friday 26 / April / 2024
Muscat: Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, in step with its ‘Let’s Do More’ vision to promote Oman as a sporting nation, marked a grand celebration under the auspices of Dr. Abdul Munim bin Mansour Al Hasani, Minister of Information, to announce 15 new beneficiaries for the Green Sports programme in 2016.
The ceremony, which also marked the greening of football field of Al Shabab Sports Team in the wilayat of Baushar, was attended by AbdulRazak Ali Issa, Chief Executive, dignitaries, senior government and private sector officials.
Marking the successful fifth year, the unique Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative aimed at greening and development of football fields has benefited a total of 64 sports teams across the country to date.
The 2016 Green Sports beneficiaries are Al Ogdah Sports Team - Barka; Al Hilal Sports Team - Nakhal; Al Maiha Sports Team - Al Khabourah; Al Najed Sports Team – Saham; Al Taawin Sports Team – Shinas; Al Nahdah Sports Team – Ibri; Wadi Kalbooh Sports Team – Nizwa; Al Suleif Team – Ibri; Al Qaryatain Sports Team – Izki; Al Saqar Sports Team - Izki; Al Mazin Sports Team - Sumail; Wadi Al Meah Sports Team – Al Amerat; Al Jawabi Sports Team – Jaalan Bani bu Ali; Al Qahwan Sports Team – Jaalan Bani bu Hasan and Al Shabab Sports Team – Al Kamil.
Dr. Abdul Munim bin Mansour Al Hasani congratulated Bank Muscat for the success achieved by the Green Sports initiative.
Al Hasani said: “The support to develop modern sports infrastructure across the Sultanate complements the government efforts in building a sporting nation. The initiative benefiting communities, especially youth, contributes to sustainable development, thereby ensuring all-round progress in Oman. The availability of proper sporting infrastructure across the Sultanate is a boon for the game of football. The gesture by Bank Muscat to promote sports and games is a motivation for corporates to join hands with the government to strengthen the country’s sporting credentials.”
The selection of 2016 Green Sports beneficiaries followed extensive field visits by a committee which reviewed and short-listed eligible sports teams meeting the criteria for greening and infrastructure development of football fields across the Sultanate. In all, 66 teams applied for Green Sports support in 2016, of which the facilities of 40 teams were reviewed. The growing response to the programme reflects the awareness among teams to be organised in applying for support.
AbdulRazak Ali Issa, Chief Executive, said: “Bank Muscat is immensely proud to enhance support for the Green Sports initiative as part of its CSR strategy to further strengthen its leadership role in social responsibility and facilitate partnership between the government and the private sector for sustainable development and progress of Oman, inspired by the directive of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said to activate the role of the private sector in social responsibility and development of Omani society. We wish all the beneficiary teams success in contributing to sporting excellence in Oman.”
In 2015, the bank widened the scope of Green Sports, offering four options for sports teams to green football fields with natural or synthetic turf, or avail support for floodlights or water desalination equipment to facilitate greening of fields in areas facing problems of water salinity. The move was aimed at providing wider representation to teams to build a sustainable sports infrastructure in all parts of the Sultanate.
The consistent progress of the Green Sports initiative confirms the bank’s commitment to the programme aimed at providing ample opportunities for young Omanis to develop their sporting talents in an ideal environment. The programme is expected to go a long way in developing the sporting skills and talents of Omani youth, thereby promoting the game of football in Oman.
Abdullah Tamman Al Mashani, Deputy General Manager – Institutional Sales & Products Development, in the welcome address said: “The Green Sports initiative reiterates the bank’s support to Oman’s youth who represent the future of Oman. True to its commitment to supporting varied sporting activities in the country, Bank Muscat remains at the forefront in offering the required encouragement to youth. 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.”
Established in 1972, Al Shabab Sports Team has over 500 members. Every year, the team engages in popular sports and cultural activities. The greening of the football field marks a milestone for the team.
Hamed Al Siyabi, President of Al Shabab 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.”
