MUSCAT, OCT 19
Girls’ participation in school sports is increasingly extending beyond physical activity to include leadership, peer engagement and the development of initiatives that encourage healthier lifestyles. This approach underpins the Sports Ambassadors programme, delivered by the Oman School Sports Association in partnership with the British Embassy in Oman, which has completed its first phase and is preparing to move towards the practical implementation of student-led initiatives.
The programme aims to equip schoolgirls with the confidence and skills to motivate their peers, promote physical activity and increase participation in school sports. Leadership, teamwork and initiative are central to its approach, positioning students not only as participants in sporting activities but also as contributors to the development of their schools’ sporting culture.
Reaching schools across Oman
The first phase covered 11 schools across Oman’s educational governorates, with practical workshops focusing on sports leadership and the development of student-led ideas. Teachers also played an important role in supporting participants and helping them translate the skills they acquired into activities within their schools.
Mohammed bin Said al Niyadi, chairman of the Care and Rehabilitation Committee at the Oman School Sports Association, said the first phase had achieved its objectives, highlighting the enthusiasm and positive engagement shown by students and teachers.
He also praised school administrations and educational directorates for their cooperation and for providing the necessary conditions to ensure the programme’s successful delivery.
Building a safer sporting environment
Leadership development was accompanied by efforts to strengthen awareness of safeguarding in sport. Workshops were organised for teachers, employees and parents to highlight the shared responsibility of schools, families and educational staff in creating safe and supportive environments for sporting participation.
More than 170 female students and 22 teachers from educational governorates participated in the programme’s activities. Their involvement provides opportunities to share knowledge and experience more widely, helping extend the benefits of the initiative to additional students and schools across Oman.
A new phase focused on implementation
The second phase is scheduled to begin in December, shifting attention towards following up on the ideas and initiatives developed during the initial stage.
Virtual meetings with educational governorates will help monitor the ambassadors’ activities and assess their efforts to promote sports awareness within their schools and communities. The programme will also encourage participants to exchange experiences and learn from successful initiatives.
Former Sports Ambassadors are expected to contribute by sharing their experiences, offering guidance and motivating the new participants as they address challenges and develop their own initiatives.
The next phase will therefore place greater emphasis on practical outcomes, ensuring that the programme’s impact extends beyond workshop attendance to activities led by the students themselves. Through its partnership with the British Embassy, the Oman School Sports Association is seeking to use sport as a platform for developing young leaders, strengthening community engagement and building a lasting culture of physical activity among schoolgirls.
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