MUSCAT, 31 May 2014 – Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, has decided to support 15 sports clubs / teams across Oman to green their playgrounds this year as part of the Green Sports initiative.

The unique CSR programme 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 playgrounds in 2012. In the second year of the programme, the bank also signed agreements with 10 more beneficiary clubs and teams for the greening initiative. 

Following two successful years in which 20 sports clubs were given support to green their playgrounds, the continuing programme will benefit 15 sports clubs and teams this year in strengthening sports infrastructure in general and football in particular. To achieve the goals of the initiative, the bank supports all deserving clubs across the Sultanate to green their playing fields.

The funding eligibility criteria for the 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.

The unique CSR initiative has yielded encouraging results with seven 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, Al Etihad team in the wilayat of Ibra, Al Qadsiya team in the wilayat of Adam and Al Najoum team in the wilayat of Al Khabourah. 

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. Sports and games are important for youth and the Green Sports initiative creates an environment to develop their talents.

True to its commitment to supporting varied sporting activities in the country, Bank Muscat remains at the forefront in offering the required encouragement and support to youth. As the nation's leading financial institution, Bank Muscat aims to provide the impetus for youth to excel in all arenas and thereby contribute to the development and progress of Oman.