MUSCAT, FEB 12
Coinciding with the launch of Madinat Al Sultan Haitham Season, the awards ceremony for the “Basmat” competition was held on Wednesday. The competition, organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, was held under the auspices of Dr Khamis bin Saif al Jabri, Chairman of Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit, and attended by a distinguished audience of ministers, officials and the finalists.
The competition garnered widespread participation from Omani youth, with over 500 young men and women competing across five key categories to contribute to the city’s development. After a rigorous evaluation process, 50 finalists advanced to the final stage.
The ceremony celebrated the winners, announcing the top three in each of the following categories: Architectural Imprint, Technological Imprint, Cultural and Social Imprint, Artistic Imprint and Environmental Imprint. Jamal bin Nasser al Hadi, Media Adviser to the Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, stated: “The ‘Basmat’ competition is a step into the world of youth creativity and a strategic initiative aligned with the vision of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to empower Omani youth and strengthen their role in shaping Oman’s future.
This competition offers a valuable opportunity for young Omanis to turn their innovative ideas into reality, allowing them to be an integral part of building a city that reflects their vision. Their contributions will serve as a lasting legacy for future generations.
‘Basmat’ is more than just a competition; it is a key driver of youth participation in this national project, enhancing their skills across various fields. It represents a true partnership in building the future of Oman — from today’s generation to the generations to come.
As His Majesty once said during the city’s inauguration: ‘Congratulations to our young planners and thinkers. I hope they leave their imprints in every corner of this land.’”
The competition aligns with the national strategy to empower Omani youth in developing smart and sustainable cities by encouraging innovative ideas that enhance sustainability, infrastructure development and the integration of technological and artistic solutions.
Winners will have the opportunity to bring their ideas to life by collaborating with relevant authorities to integrate their innovations into the master plan of Madinat Al Sultan Haitham.
This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to fostering innovation and youth empowerment across various sectors. A total of over RO 6,000 in prizes was awarded to the winners, with 20 expert judges overseeing the evaluation process to ensure that the most creative and impactful ideas were selected. Participants expressed their appreciation for the competition, highlighting it as a pioneering platform that enabled them to showcase their creativity and contribute to shaping the future of Madinat Al Sultan Haitham. This initiative is part of broader efforts to achieve sustainable development, empowering youth to play a pivotal role in shaping Oman’s urban, technological and artistic future. It aligns with Oman Vision 2040, which emphasises innovation and sustainability as fundamental pillars for a prosperous and progressive future.
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