MUSCAT: Sayyid Khalid bin Hamed Al Busaidi had launched a digital competition in search of ‘The Golden Talent’ in December 2021 and in the initial three weeks of application phase, a total of 1,982 submissions were received.

The competition aims to showcase the most talented and artistic individuals in Oman whilst also providing a platform for more unusual talents.

Sayyid Khalid is currently reviewing all the submissions personally, filtering the best who would move onto the third stage – the Social Media Knockout round. SMS voting will be use to allow the public to participate and vote for their favourite contestant. In an exciting development, money raised will be donated to UNICEF who will use the money to fund youth training programs in Oman.

To encourage voting, all voters will enter a weekly raffle and 8 lucky winners will be selected to instantly win OMR 500.

Speaking about the involvement of UNICEF Sayyid Khalid said, “I’m really delighted that the money raised via SMS voting will be donated to UNICEF youth training program which has been launched in Oman in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MCSY) and the private sector. It’s an innovative approach to developing young people’s resilience and skills and promoting social entrepreneurship in Oman which I am happy to support.”

“UNICEF’s youth training program in Oman focuses on helping young people identify and nurture their talents to contribute to the country’s future development” said Liibaan Dahir, UNICEF Oman’s Officer in Charge and Head of Programs. “The partnership with Sayyid Khalid under ‘The Golden Talent’ competition reflects our shared values and the funds will help bring the youth training program to scale.”

Held in collaboration with Nissan Oman, Purshottam Kanji Exchange, iddesignoman.com and Al Wisal FM – the digital competition aims to bring together hundreds of likeminded individuals.

The open category includes all talents which means participants can showcase any talent. The initial submission received entries from the following disciplines: art, sketching, painting, baking, cooking, cake-making, entrepreneurs, calligraphy, arts & crafts, drama, design, textiles, dance, flower arranging, wood work, jewellery making, henna, theatrical makeup, instruments, perfume making, photography, pottery, singing, sports related activities, writing, graphic design, voice over artists, interior design, magicians, videographers, commentators and modelling. The most popular talent was art with over 600 submissions in this category alone.

After the Social Media Knockout round, qualifiers will move onto stage four where they will be required to performance for the second time (within the same discipline). Top performers will then be selected to perform at the final stage to bag the title of ’The Golden Talent’.

OMR 5,000 will be awarded for the first prize, OMR 3,000 for second prize and OMR 2,000 for third prize. Winners will donate 10% of cash prize to a local charity of their choice.