In line with the bank’s commitment to community development and promoting Oman as a sporting nation, Bank Muscat, the leading financial services provider in the Sultanate, handed over a football field developed as part of its Green Sports programme to the Al Mustaqbal Team in Bahla. The Green Sports field was handed over at a special ceremony held under the auspices of H E Wali bin Nasser bin Amer Al Shukaili, Member of State Council, Saif bin Rashid Al Shukaily, Chairman of the Al Mustaqbal Team, Omani football star Ali Al Habsi and officials from the bank.

Given the current phase of social distancing, the event was livestreamed on the bank’s social media channels for the benefit of the club supporters and the general public. Bank Muscat has so far provided support to 123 sports teams across different governorates since the launch of the Bank’s flagship CSR programme in 2012.

Addressing the gathering, Khalfan Abdullah Al-Rashdi, Assistant Regional Manager – North Dakhiliyah, Bank Muscat, congratulated the management, players and fans of the team and said: “The landmark Green Sports programme from Bank Muscat has been contributing substantially to strengthening its role in the field of corporate social responsibility and encouraging Omani youth by providing green sports fields to develop their talents and skills. The programme also helps in the organising of various sporting events and activities in communities all across the country. Bank Muscat is very happy to celebrate the opening of this new green sports field and wish the Al Mustaqbal Team all the very best.”

Eng. Salem bin Ali Al-Riyami, Head of the Future Team, delivered a speech on the occasion of the opening, in which he valued the efforts made by public and private community institutions and their contributions to the success of this project for youth empowerment. He pointed out in his speech that the greening and lighting project of the team’s stadium began three years ago when the site was nothing but a barren piece of land. He thanked Bank Muscat and the private sector for turning the place into a beautiful stadium for the benefit of the community, supporting sports and motivating the youth in meaningful community activities. At the end of the ceremony, the technical committee overseeing the implementation of the stadium, Bank Muscat, the management of the Club, and all its institutional and individual supporters were honored for their valuable support.

The bank is continuing with its flagship CSR programme for the ninth year in 2020 and is supporting the development of a further 15 football fields across Oman. It is one of the most successful sustainability programmes of the bank and its support for sports teams include greening of football fields with natural or synthetic turf, floodlights or water desalination equipment in areas facing problems of water salinity. The programme aims to develop a sustainable sports infrastructure across the Sultanate, thereby providing a means to channelise the energy and talents of the youth in a productive way, besides helping local communities develop stronger bonds and a greater spirit of partnership and cooperation. It is contributing to the emergence of more Omani talent in football and also has a positive impact on the environment and nature.