a place to beat the heat

ZAINAB AL NASSRI -

To get refreshed and beat the summer heat, people are going to swimming pools by the number.

Sara al Maashani, a young Omani woman, has seen this trend and have rationalised its business potential.

As a result, she turned her passion for swimming pools into a profitable business providing children, adults and families an opportunity to pursue their hobbies and have an outlet for their love of swimming.

The story started from Dhofar, south of Oman, where swimming lovers couldn’t find a place to practice their hobby.

“My job as a health educator requires educating people, women especially, to exercise continuously. Most of the complaints were about not having a private, well-equipped gym for girls’ sport,” Sara shared.

A lover of swimming herself, Sara took note of this complaints. In her own experience, she knows that swimming is something many people would love. And as she insisted to learn it, she knows that swimming skills can also be taught to others.

In 2005, she flew to Muscat to join a training course and she also joined a gym where they teach swimming. When she finally learned the techniques of swimming, she returned to Dhofar armed with the determination to establish a place where people can learn how to swim.

As there was no place for this purpose in Taqa, the place where she lived, except in Sports Affairs Complex in Salalah (32 km away), it was difficult for Sara to practice her beloved hobby. She thought of making her dream come true.

“I didn’t have a land plot to start my business on and didn’t know ‘how’ to get one. Searching the web was a fruitful idea as I knew what procedures to follow. However, I applied for the land through Housing Directorate in Salalah,” she narrated.

Making her dream into a reality have their own sets of challenges.

“I was surrounded by many negative people who ironically underestimated my optimism to get a land. I must say that it wasn’t easy but my personal following up for the application for three years ended up with having a 2000 square meter commercial plot. I was given one year to start the project otherwise it would be withdrawn or cancelled,” she said.

And things move fast from there.

With a sum of RO 20000, the first phase of the project which was named “Danat Company” was executed.

“I have been saving the money years back through a civil association with friends and family. The first phase was focused on establishing a play yard for boys covering up to 1000 square meters. Although that was the plan, I also already thought of dedicating the venue in some days for girls only,” she shared.

“In cooperation with the DG of Sports Affairs, I started managing some sports activities for the youth during the year. All these were documented via annual report sent to the Ministry of Housing along with the required fees,” she added.

The second phase was expensive, Sara had to deposit her house as a mortgage to get a loan of RO 60000.

“I needed the money but couldn’t benefit from al Raffd Fund because I was an employee. Thanks to Allah, this phase was eventually implemented. It included two swimming pools with their bath rooms,” she shared.

“The small pool is 10 metres high and 6 metres wide. Its depth was made so that it will be appropriate and perfect for children and beginners. The other one has the same dimensions, but, it is deeper to suit the needs of adults and the professionals,” she said.

“Both of the pools are separated by a high wall and each has its own lounge, bathrooms, changing rooms, and kitchen,” she added.

Sara mentioned that the main challenge that she faced is lack of experience. Such projects need specialists to maintain the water’s clarity with the allowed amount of chlorine.

“Having my husband and son to my side in running the business makes it a little be easier for me to keep going. It was a must to setup everything back to order after customers leave and check the pools of any stuff left behind,” she said.

Safety and cleanliness are also their priority.

“We posted instructions list at the entrance [to serve as guide on the do’s and don’ts] and seek the help of a cleaning worker of a nearby hotel to ensure purity and tidiness of the place,” she said.

Another challenge was having unpaved sub-way from the main road to the swimming pools.

“I am still demanding the concerned parties to at least make a default paving so people don’t find it difficult reaching the venue,” Sara said.

Most recently, Sara has begun organizing swimming classes for girls and boys three days a week with reasonable fees in coordination with sports teachers.

“The most beautiful thing to see that also brings us happiness is to see the joy of success in the face of our trainees. To see them proud and beaming is priceless. We also invite the parents to watch their kids’ improvements. And whenever we see them happy, only that moment I feel that it was worth it.”