Saturday 21 / September / 2024
Muscat: Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, as part of the Green Sports initiative, marked a celebration for the greening of a football field for Afie Sports Team in the wilayat of Wadi Al Maawil. Shaikh Khalid bin Hilal Al Maawali, Chairman of Majlis Ash’shura, presided as the guest of honour at the ceremony attended by dignitaries and senior bank officials.
The Green Sports initiative launched by Bank Muscat in 2012 has gained momentum with a total of 49 teams across the Sultanate benefiting from it till date. Marking the successful fifth year, 15 new beneficiary sports teams will be announced soon for greening and infrastructure development of football fields in the Sultanate in 2016.
The Green Sports initiative complements government efforts in building a sporting nation by providing youth the required infrastructure facilities. The initiative benefiting communities, especially youth, contributes to sustainable development, thereby ensuring all-round progress in Oman.
Saif bin Said Al Filaiti, Regional Manager – South Batinah, said: “Bank Muscat is delighted to support the greening of the football field of Afie Sports Team in the wilayat of Wadi Al Maawil. The gesture reiterates the bank’s commitment to support youth who represent the future of Oman. We congratulate Afie Sports Team for utilising the opportunity to green their field, thereby setting a fine example for other teams in the country to promote Oman as a sporting nation.”
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 funding criteria for the Green Sports programme include that sports teams should have been in existence for three years with a minimum membership of 300 members of 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.
Abdullah bin Khamis Al Maawali, Management Member of Afie Sports Team, said: “The new green football field marks a milestone for the development of sports, especially the game of football, in the wilayat of Wadi Al Maawil. We thank Bank Muscat for this laudable gesture. The Green Sports initiative has made vital contributions 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.”
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.
The football fields developed as part of the Green Sports initiative also serve as a meeting place for children and youth to be engaged in gainful activities. The fields are used for hosting various activities such as Ramadan nights, group weddings and other celebrations. Such community activities help children and youth develop strong positive character traits.
Committed to its ‘Let’s Do More’ vision for the nation and the people, especially youth, Bank Muscat 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 momentum for youth to excel in all arenas and thereby contribute to the development and progress of Oman.
