MUSCAT: In line with its commitment to youth empowerment and its pioneering role in the field of Corporate Social Responsibility, Bank Muscat, the leading financial services provider in the Sultanate, recently hosted a gala event in Muscat to felicitate the 20 winners of the 2022 edition of the bank’s flagship CSR programme. The ceremony was attended by Shaikh Waleed K al Hashar, Chief Executive Officer, Bank Muscat, the bank’s Management Team members, a number of dignitaries from the government and private sectors, and journalists from top media houses in the country. Since its inception in 2012, the landmark Green Sports programme has been supporting Omani youth, strengthening the role of sports teams in various governorates and developing new sports-related infrastructure across Oman over the years. Year after year, the programme sees excellent participation by sports teams from across the Sultanate of Oman confirming its tremendous success and popularity with Omani youth.
Speaking at the event, Hamza bin Abbas al Ajmi, Deputy General Manager – Credit, Bank Muscat, expressed his happiness with the success and achievements of the Green Sports programme. He said: “Bank Muscat pays special attention to all programmes focusing on developing the youth as it is the best investment in Oman’s future. The programme is truly one of its kind and we are really proud with all the achievements so far, which are very much in line with His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik’s directives on taking care of the aspirations of Omani youth and providing them a suitable environment to fully develop their skills and talents. The importance of this programme is evidenced through its many positive results and the participation of a large number of sports teams annually in the programme. It is a matter of great pride that Green Sports has further enhanced Bank Muscat’s leading role in implementing sustainable programmes to support Omani youth in various fields.”
Hamza bin Abbas al Ajmi added that the programme has so far benefitted 163 teams with over 50,000 members across the Sultanate of Oman since its launch in 2012. The bank is keen to continue strengthening its strong partnership with Omani youth and help them achieve their aspirations, including those on the sports field. Encouraged by the overwhelming response to the programme over the years, the bank increased the number of annual winners to 20 on the occasion of the programme’s 10th anniversary in 2021. This year too, the winning teams will benefit from the bank’s support in providing natural / artificial grass football pitches, lighting systems and water desalination equipment.” He also thanked the teams for their contributions and cooperation in making the programme a grand success.
During the event, Shaikh Waleed K al Hashar commended the 20 winners, which are from different governorates across the Sultanate of Oman. The winners include: Al Shabab Sports Team from the Wilayat of Al Mudhaibi, Al Sooad Sports and Cultural Team from the Wilayat of Dima W’attayeen, Al Yahmadi Sports and Cultural Team from the Wilayat of Ibra, Falaj Al Ouhi Sports and Cultural Team from the Wilayat of Suhar, Al Abyad Sports and Cultural Team from the Wilayat of Nakhl, Al Istqlal Sports Team from the Wilayat of Yanqul, Al Ma’ali Sports Team from the Wilayat of Qurayat, Ittihad Al Awabi Sports and Cultural Team from the Wilayat of Al Awabi, Athaiba Cultural and Sports Team from the Wilayat of Bausher, Al Haram Sports Team from the Wilayat of Barka, Batha Al Oud Sports, Cultural and Social Team from the Wilayat of Al Suwaiq, Al Hail Team from the Wilayat of Ibri, Al Rabi Sports and Cultural Team from the Wilayat of Al Buraimi, Al Shabab Sports Cultural Team from the Wilayat of Saham, Al Wadiyat Sports Team from the Wilayat of Shinas, Al Tadhamun Sports and Cultural Team from the Wilayat of Al Rustaq, Al Ittihad Sports Team from the Wilayat of Bahla, Al Ain Sports and Cultural Team from the Wilayat of Wadi Al Maawil, Al Afifa Sports and Cultural Team from the Wilayat of Suhar, and Al Owaid Team from the Wilayat of Al Musannah.
Through the Green Sports programme, Bank Muscat provides youth teams with modern infrastructure facilities and also create an ideal platform for social engagement among the youth. It is also encouraging that the football fields developed as part of the Green Sports programme are now serving as a meeting place and arena of social activities for children and youth, leading to the development of positive character traits. The fields are often also used to host various community activities such as Ramadhan nights, group weddings and other social celebrations resulting in strong bonding of members within the local community.
The Green Sports programme confirms the bank’s commitment to providing ample opportunities for young Omanis to develop their talents. It is going a long way in developing the sporting skills and talents of Omani youth, thereby leading to all round development of the country. Recently, the bank also handed over completed sports fields to winners from previous years’ programmes in the wilayats of Nizwa, Rustaq, Ibri, Samayil, Al Kamil W’al Wafi, and Al Suwaiq. The bank also stated that many more sports fields will be inaugurated in the coming months all across the Sultanate of Oman.
