The “Sports Spark” activities, organized by Muscat Governorate in cooperation with the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, concluded on Saturday. With remarkable success after a busy month of sports and entertainment activities that extended from July 25 to August 24,2024.
The “Sports Spark” event succeeded to achieve its purposes effectively by the partnership activation between the public and private sectors to organize a united sporting and enjoyable event by the private sector experiences’ benefit in events’ organization and management. The event presented various activities that included all age groups. The activities include 23 leagues and sports competitions’ organization, in which more than 500 competitors participated. Besides, a summer camp’s organization for children in which more than 300 children participated weekly. These various activities also contributed to make the sports’ culture as a lifestyle, and to entertainment. It supported Muscat Governorate’s efforts to be a lively center that hosts activities that strengthen social links and provide a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone.
Added Value
The Sports Spark event offered added value on various levels. It contributed to form about 150 job opportunities during the event period, which helped provide jobs for Omani youth and enhance economic activity in the governorate. Additionally, the event offered an opportunity for 16 small and medium enterprises to benefit from the event, which helped it improve its presence in the local market. Therefore, this reflects Muscat Governorate and its partners’ commitment to organize the event to support and enable small and medium enterprises through effective partnerships.
Acceptance and Attendance
The “Sports Spark” event witnessed a wide audience that attract more than 30,000 visitors for a full month. This large attendance reflects the activities’ variety and the organization quality. It highlights the event`s ability to attract various society’s groups. About 250individuals played an essential role to make this event successful, in cooperation with the participating institutions. Therefore, it contributed to offer a notable experience that visitors and participants praise it greatly.
As well as many organizations participated in the event by booking special days to their staffs to enhance team spirit by sports activities in equipped halls with the modern technology.
Variety and Wealth
The summer camp activities for children included a variety of entertaining and educational activities and events, including sports activities. For example, football, badminton, basketball, volleyball and ninja challenge. As well as, other games such as electronic games, board games, arts, crafts, life skills’ learning, ninja challenge and other sports. The camp targeted children from the age group of 6 to 14 years. This allowed children to have a various and enjoyable experience.
“The summer camp allowed the participating children to experience various sports and exercise,” said Amer Al-Aisari, the event operations manager at SABCO Sports. Al-Aisari added: “The event witnessed a large attendance, as such sporting events and activities contribute greatly to develop children’s physical and social skills. Additionally, to enhance the fair competition’s spirit among them”.
Innovative Sports Tournaments
The event also witnessed various notable sports tournaments that created a positive impression on visitors, including the “Phygital” football tournament, which was the first of its kind in the Sultanate of Oman. It combined sporting eagerness and video games innovatively. It added a modern and remarkable character to the event. The tournament also witnessed the win of the “Junior Style” team, which qualified to represent Oman in the international tournament in Russia. It highlights the event success to support and promote sporting talents.
This event included boxing and kickboxing tournaments, which witnessed the athletes’ participation from more than 10countries, 10 local clubs, and more than 800 viewers attended. The tournament received praise for the competition and organization. It was note worthy that the event contributed to highlight young talents. For example, Mustafa Behlim and Husam Al Hinai, who were innovative in their competitions and achieved advanced positions.
Special Activities to Women
In the context of women’s sports’ support, the “Sports Spark” event selected August 3 and 17 as special entertaining days for women. It offered them with a suitable environment to practice sporting activities in full privacy. The activities included athletics, electronic games, sound therapy sessions, aerobic exercises, and zumba. There are 110participants in the Women`s Sports Day.
Appreciation to Strategic partnersئ
In conclusion, the “Sports Spark” event succeeded to become the most noticeable sporting event in Muscat Governorate during the summer period. Said bin Salim Al Shanfari, CEO of the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, stated: “It was an incubator for various activities that combine sports and entertainment, offering a unique experience for everyone. In the grace of its success in events’ organization and the wide acceptance it witnessed”.
This success could not have been achieved except via the effective partnership of the strategic partners with Muscat Governorate and the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre. Muscat Governorate and the Oman Convention and Exhibition Center appreciated to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, OMRAN Group, SABCO Sports, and Vodafone Company for their support and efforts to make this event a successful.