MUSCAT: On the occasion of the 10th Anniversary of Bank Muscat’s landmark corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme, Green Sports, a number of sports teams from across the Sultanate have appreciated and praised the bank’s prominent role in supporting the youth and local communities across the Sultanate.
The bank’s long-running CSR programme continues to benefit many sports teams across the Sultanate even as the annual programme brings together different generations on a single platform on the evergreen theme of sports. The bank’s efforts complement the government’s efforts to develop modern sports infrastructure across the Sultanate in the spirit of the Public-Private Partnership model.
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. The programme aims to develop a sustainable sports infrastructure across the Sultanate, thereby serving as a means to channelise the boundless energy and vast talents of Omani youth in a productive way, besides helping local communities develop stronger bonds and a greater spirit of partnership and cooperation all around. Having seen the great success of the programme over the years and to celebrate the 10th Anniversary, in 2021, Bank Muscat increased the number of annual beneficiaries to 20 sports teams, up from 15 teams annually in previous years.
A Unique Programme
Salim Ali al Riyami, Chairman of Al Mustaqbal Team from the Wilayat of Bahla, said the Green Sports programme is a truly unique programme helping young Omani talent in various fields. He pointed out how the facilities were used by the community for activities like special religious and social events before the Covid-19 pandemic. The club’s Green Sports field can also be provided to other teams on rent, thereby providing the Al Mustaqbal team with a means of revenue generation.
Salim Al Riyami said that the team and the community were eagerly looking forward to a time when pandemic-related challenges are a thing of the past and the sports team could work towards a brighter future.
A Pioneering Step
On his part, Ahmed Salim al Alawi, the Chairman of A’Shabab Sports Team from the Wilayat of Yanqul, said that the launch of the Green Sports programme was one of the most successful and pioneering CSR steps undertaken by the bank. He pointed out how youth teams constitute an important feeder line for national level clubs as well as the national team in different sports activities, especially football. He expressed his great happiness about A’Shabab Sports Team being a winner in 2021. He added that this achievement would have a positive effect on the team’s future.
Strengthening Community Service
Yusuf Salem al Saad, Chairman of the Al Waha Sports Team in Wadi Bani Khalid, congratulated all the 20 beneficiaries of the Green Sports programme in 2021. He said the team was very happy and proud to be chose as a winner in 2021 and the programme would help in the implementation of greening of the Al Waha Sports Team’s football pitch. He added this achievement would help in attracting more young talent to the team to practice various social and sports activities.
10 Successful Years
Bank Muscat’s landmark Green Sports programme has supported 143 teams across various governorates in the Sultanate till date. Over 36,900 members from different communities have benefitted from the programme. Till date, 95 teams have received support for installation of artificial turf or natural grass on their fields, while 40 teams have received support for floodlighting and 8 teams for water desalination plants.
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