MUSCAT, FEB 10
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth launched the Sports Projects Competition Labs, titled 'Share the Change', for the teams that qualified in the first round of the second edition. A total of 25 projects and 100 participants from various governorates of the Sultanate of Oman are taking part. The competition will run until February 14 at the Mercure Hotel in Al Khuwair, with the final rounds taking place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, attended by a distinguished group of experts and specialists in the sports and health fields. This initiative aligns with Oman Vision 2040, which aims to build a community with sustainable health and reinforce the concept that 'health is everyone's responsibility'. It highlights the importance of adopting physical activity as a healthy lifestyle. Dr Khalifa al Junaidi, a member of the judging panel, explained that the competition will be evaluated based on a set of rigorous criteria. These include the project's methodology and its alignment with national values, traditions and strategic plans, as well as the efficiency of its management in terms of implementation, marketing and financial plans. The evaluation will also focus on creativity and innovation, assessing how modern technologies are utilised, the uniqueness of the idea and its potential for development. Other criteria include the added value of the project in terms of solving a health problem, engaging small enterprises or offering environmentally friendly initiatives, as well as its sustainability and future plans. The social impact will also be assessed based on the project’s acceptance by the community, its target beneficiaries and its potential for expansion and widespread use.
Dr Nawal al Rashdi, a consultant in family medicine and Director of the Audit and Health Awareness Programmes Department at the Ministry of Health, as well as a judging panel member, delivered a presentation on health promotion as a means of empowering individuals to take control of and improve their health through healthy lifestyles. She highlighted the Sultanate of Oman’s efforts to combat non-communicable diseases through initiatives such as Oman Vision 2040, the National Committee for the Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases and awareness campaigns like "Wiqaya" (Prevention), "Himtak Ma’ana" (Your Effort with Us) and "Ghaytah Nqlil" (Our Goal: Reduction). She emphasised the role of the "Share the Change" competition in promoting healthy behaviours through innovation and linking technology with physical activity, stressing the need for sustainability and integrating physical activity into daily life. Dr Amal al Siyabi, a public health specialist at the Department of Community Health Initiatives at the Ministry of Health, presented an overview of the national media and marketing campaign to promote physical activity, titled "Health Starts with a Step". This campaign ran from 2017 to 2020 and addressed chronic disease challenges, including heart disease and cancer.
Saleh al Sharji
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