MUSCAT : A large number of young people in the Sultanate of Oman are attracted to sports, which helps showcase and support their talents and provide opportunities for physical, emotional and mental development. Sporting activities have also traditionally played a huge role in creating a feeling of solidarity within the community and building national pride. Hence, Bank Muscat in keeping with its pioneering role in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Oman, has been playing a major part in harnessing the energies of the youth and local communities through its long-running Green Sports programme. Recently, the bank handed over a new field to the Al Kifah Sports Team in the Wilayat of Suwaiq at a ceremony held under the auspices of Sheikh Dr. Hamdan Bin Saba Al Saadi, Deputy Head of the Al Suwaiq Sports and Cultural Club and in the presence of Abdul Rahman bin Abdullah Al Shezawi, Regional Manager – South Al Batinah, Bank Muscat. The event was attended by Darwish Salim Al Hinai, the head of the Al Kifah Sports Team and a number of team members.

On this occasion, Abdul Rahman Bin Abdullah Al Shezawi, Regional Manager – South Al Batinah, Bank Muscat, expressed his happiness at the completion of the project and said: “We are pleased to inaugurate the Al Kifah Sports Team’s sports field within the Green Sports programme which is implemented by the Bank as part of its strategy to enhance its leadership role in the field of corporate social responsibility and sustainability. On this occasion, the bank is pleased to congratulate the team’s management and appreciate their efforts during the various stages of the project. We would also like to wish them further growth, development and success. The bank will be opening many more Green Sports fields across the Sultanate of Oman in the future.”

On his part, Darwish Salim Al Hinai, Head of the Al Kifah Sports Team, expressed his happiness with the inauguration and hand over of the Al Kifah Green Sports field, which was implemented with the support of the bank. He added that this programme was providing excellent support in strengthening the sports infrastructure available for local youth teams across the Sultanate. He called on everyone in the community to make the best use of the new facilities, adding that it would greatly add to social bonding and cohesion within the community.

Bank Muscat’s Green Sports programme is one of the leading CSR programs in Oman, which provides support to local sports teams as part of the bank’s efforts to develop sports infrastructure and green spaces throughout the Sultanate of Oman. The support includes greening of football pitches, water desalination and lighting. The facilities developed as part of the programme are often used as a venue for other social activities by local communities, leading to stronger social bonding and positive behaviour among young people as well as the development of talented Omani youth. It is a matter of great encouragement that the Bank Muscat’s Green Sports programme has so far benefitted 163 teams with over 50,000 team members across the Sultanate of Oman.