Bank Muscat celebrates 29th Green Sports football field in Al Qabil
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
MUSCAT: Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, in step with its ‘Let’s Do More’ vision and ‘Imprints’ initiative to support youth and promote Oman as a sporting nation, celebrated the inauguration of the 29th football field developed as part of the Green Sports initia- tive for Al Tadhamun Team in the wilayat of Al Qabil in Sharqiyah governorate. Sheikh Ahmed bin Said Al Saadi, Member of Majlis Ash’shua, was the guest of honour at the ceremony attended by dignitaries and senior bank officials.
Addressing the gathering, Bader bin Mohammed Al Hajri, Al Qabil Branch Manager, reiterated the bank’s support to develop modern sports infrastructure across the Sultanate, complementing the government efforts in building a sporting nation. The initiative benefiting communities, especially youth, is aimed at contributing to sustainable development and all-round progress in Oman, he added.
Salim bin Humaid Al Athaibi, deputy president of Al Tadhamun 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.”
The Green Sports initiative launched by Bank Muscat in 2012 has gained momentum with a total of 63 teams across the Sultanate benefiting from the support till date. Marking the sixth year of the unique CSR initiative, the bank will support the development of 15 football fields in 2017.
The 2017 Green Sports programme has evoked big response as 86 sports teams have applied seeking support for greening and infrastructure development of football fields. The Green Sports committee is presently reviewing the applications and making field visits to short-list the 2017 Green Sports beneficiaries.
The scope of Green Sports sup- port 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 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.