Bank Muscat handed over the sixth green playground, developed as part of its Green Sports initiative, to Al Qadsiya team in Adam.
Bank Muscat marked a big celebration under the auspices of HE Shaikh Ali bin Nasser al Mahrouqi, secretary general of Majlis Ash’shura, to hand over the sixth green playground developed as part of the Green Sports initiative to Al Qadsiya team in the wilayat of Adam. The ceremony was attended by dignitaries, senior bank officials and a large turn-out of football enthusiasts.
The Green Sports initiative was launched by the bank in 2012 to lay the foundation at the grass-root level for a sustainable sports infrastructure. As part of the programme, 10 sports clubs were given support to green their playing fields in 2012. Marking the second year of the programme, the bank recently announced 10 more beneficiary clubs and teams for the greening initiative.
The unique CSR initiative has yielded encouraging results with five teams already completing the project. Al Reef Team in the wilayat of Ibri was the first to receive a green playground developed by the bank, followed by A’dhahar Team in the wilayat of Bidiya, Bilad Seet Team in the wilayat of Bahla, Al Noor team in the wilayat of Musanah and Al Etihad team in the wilayat of Ibra. The bank recognises that local clubs wield immense influence on neighbourhood communities, especially youth, hence clubs with modern infrastructure facilities can help raise sporting heroes for the country. The initiative reiterates the bank’s support to Oman’s youth who represent the future of Oman, besides contributing to sustainable development and protection of the environment, thereby ensuring all-round development in Oman.
Yousuf Al Rawahi, senior regional manager, said: “The inauguration of the sixth green playground in Adam endorses the bank’s commitment to support the youth representing the country’s future. We congratulate Al Qadsiya team for seizing the opportunity to green their playing field, thereby setting a fine example for other clubs and teams in Oman.”
Al Rawahi added, “The new facility marks a milestone for sports development in the region. The bank will support all deserving clubs across the Sultanate to green their playing fields. To achieve the goals of the initiative, the project will continue and the bank will provide a fair chance to all teams and clubs in the coming years. The initiative is a strategic decision by the bank in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports Affairs to promote Oman as a sporting nation.”
The funding eligibility criteria for the Green Sports programme include that sports clubs/teams should have been in existence for three years with a minimum membership of 300 youth from the local community. Bank Muscat will lay turf grass and plant trees and hand over the fields to beneficiary clubs/teams.
Khalid Eid al Hashmi, supervisor of Al Qadsiya team, appreciated Bank Muscat, stressing that this initiative will contribute to the creation of an environment encouraging Omani sports talents. “The initiative is a big support for the country’s youth and we are confident that many youngsters will benefit from this programme and become sporting heroes for the country,” adds Al Hashmi.