Bank Muscat announces 2017 Green Sports beneficiaries

MUSCAT: Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, in step with its ‘Let’s Do More’ vision and ‘Imprints’ social responsibility initiative, announced 15 new beneficiary sports teams for the Green Sports programme in 2017.

Marking the successful sixth year, the unique Green Sports CSR initiative aimed at promoting Oman as a sporting nation by greening and developing football fields has benefited a total of 78 sports teams across the country to date.

The 2017 Green Sports beneficiaries are Al Qadisiya Sports Team — Seeb; Miqaniyat Sports Team — Ibri; Al Tawin Sports Team — Al Hamra; Al Mustaqbal Sports Team –Bahla; Al Tadhamun Sports Team — Manah; Al Ahli Sports Team — Izki; Al Awabi Sports Team — Al Awabi; Al Hazim Sports Team — Al Rostaq; Al Jufrah Sports Team — Sohar; Al Multaqa Sports Team — Sohar; Al Sha’ab Sports Team — Liwa; Al Nojoom Sports Team — Wadi Bani Khalid; Al Sidafi Sports Team — Dima Al Wa’taeen; Al Farsan Sports Team – Al Mudhaibi and Musandam Sports Team — Khasab.

In a novel gesture, the Green Sports committee made surprise visits to all the 15 winners and announced their selection, followed by community celebrations. The 2017 Green Sports programme evoked big response as 86 sports teams applied seeking support for greening and infrastructure development of football fields. The selection of 2017 Green Sports beneficiaries followed extensive field visits by the committee which reviewed and short-listed eligible sports teams meeting the criteria for greening and infrastructure development of football fields across the Sultanate.

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.”

The scope of Green Sports support for sports teams include greening of football fields with natural or synthetic turf, floodlights or water desalination equipment in areas facing problems of water salinity. Ensuring wider representation, the Green Sports support is extended to develop 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.

The criteria for availing the Green Sports support include that sports teams should have been in existence for three years with a minimum of 300 members from 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.

The Green Sports initiative has created an ideal platform for social engagement among youth.

The football fields developed as part of the Green Sports initiative are serving as a meeting place for children and youth to be engaged in social activities leading to development of strong community bonding and positive character traits.

The fields are used to host various activities such as Ramadhan nights, group weddings and other community celebrations.