MUSCAT: Salalah club lifted the HM Cup for Youth for the season 2022/2023 as their fourth time title in a row. The announcement was made during the annual awards ceremony organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MoCSY) on Monday under the auspices of Qais bin Mohammed al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, in presence of officials and dignitaries at Al Bustan Palace Hotel.
The Dhofar-based club managed to enter their names in the honour list by winning the coveted cup for the fourth consecutive time. Besides the coveted His Majesty’s Cup for Youth trophy, Salalah Club were also presented with a cash cheque of RO 30,000. Seeb remained as runners-up and they received the silver shield with a cash prize of RO 27,000.
Saham jumped one spot from the last edition as they received the bronze shield and a cash prize of RO 25,000. Oman Club climbed one position also from fifth to finish in fourth place. Masirah dropped from third to fifth place while Nizwa club took sixth spot to register a comeback after one-year absence. Ahli Sidab jumped one spot to claim seventh place award. Qurayat returned back to the winning list and ended in ninth place after their absence last year while Al Bashayer club dropped to 10th place after reaching sixth in the last edition.
CLUBS' VALUABLE PARTNERSHIP
Basil bin Ahmed al Rawas, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Sports and Youth, delivered a speech during the ceremony as he said: ”His Majesty’s Cup for Youth is an annual event that recognises clubs for their commendable efforts in empowering youth to engage in various sports, cultural and youth activities. The competition also highlights the clubs’ valuable partnership with the community and their role in fostering development. I am pleased to convey the gratitude and appreciation of His Highness Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth for the significant role played by club management boards in supporting and nurturing youth.”
He added: “The competition is a true translation of the continuous care for youth sector by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. One of its key objectives is to motivate clubs to continue enhancing their activities to serve as hubs for youth, responding effectively to their aspirations and ambitions.”
As many as 44 clubs vied for the His Majesty’s Cup for Youth in 2023 including: Khasab, Bukha, Dibba, Al Salam, Sohar, Saham, Majees, Al Suwaiq, Al Khabourah, Al Musannah, Al Shabab, Nakhal, Al Nahdha, Ibri, Yanqul, Bahla, Nizwa, Al Bashayer, Samayil, Fanja, Al Hamra, Al Wusta, Salalah, Al Nasr, Al Ittihad, Dhofar, Sur, Al Talea, Jaalan, Al Oruba, Al Wahda, Masirah, Al Kamil W'al Wafi, Al Ittifaq, Al Mudhaibi, Dima W'attayeen, Bidiyah, Seeb, Bausher, Oman Club, Qurayat, Muscat, Ahli Sidab and Al Amerat.
The HM Youth Cup has special significance to sports and youth sectors. The competition appreciated the efforts and the role of the clubs in serving the community specially in terms of sports and youth. It provided major support to clubs in achieving their desired goals. The Cup offered as a golden opportunity to develop human resources and bring about sustained growth in the sports sector notably by encouraging fair competition and utilising free time in a way that benefits youth and society.
Pics by Abdulwahid al Hamadani
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