MUSCAT, 4 April 2013 – Football enthusiasts in Oman revelled in the aura of the
crowning glory of world football as Bank Muscat, in association with Visa,
showcased the 2014 FIFA World Cup Winner’s Trophy at the bank’s iconic head
office on Thursday 4 April 2013. His Highness Sayyid Fatik bin Fahar Al Said,
Secretary-General at the Ministry of Heritage and Culture, unveiled the most
coveted trophy at the grand celebration, in the presence of Shaikh Khalid bin
Mustahail Al Mashani, Chairman of Bank Muscat, Felipe Burgaz, Head of Marketing
– Visa India, South Asia and MENA, dignitaries, prominent citizens and football
officiandos.
Excitement ran high at the fully
charged-up event associated with the world’s singular sporting achievement as
invitees took turns to view at close quarters the 2014 FIFA World Cup Winner’s
Trophy. A steady stream of invitees turned up throughout the day-long event to
savour the lifetime opportunity. During the event, the 2014 FIFA World Cup™
Winner’s Trophy was displayed on a podium offering all guests a special
opportunity to have commemorative photographs taken with the world’s most
recognised sports trophy.
His Highness Sayyid Fatik bin
Fahar Al Said congratulated Bank Muscat and Visa for joining hands to bring the
2014 FIFA World Cup Winner’s Trophy to Oman. “We are privileged to enjoy this
rare occasion and draw inspiration from the prized possession of world football.
We thank Bank Muscat and Visa for facilitating this rare opportunity to bask in
the aura and glory of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Winner’s Trophy. This will surely
motivate our national team to go the extra mile to wrest a place in the 2014
FIFA World Cup championship in Brazil.”
Shaikh Khalid bin Mustahail Al
Mashani said: “Bank Muscat is a committed partner and supporter of all major
national sporting initiatives, especially football. This is indeed a very
special and important occasion for all football enthusiasts in Oman. The passion
for football, which runs in the blood of Omanis, could not have been more
evident than in the rousing welcome given to the FIFA World Cup Trophy. We thank
FIFA and Visa for their efforts in creating this opportunity for football lovers
in Oman to draw inspiration from the 2014 FIFA World Cup Winner’s Trophy to
demonstrate sporting excellence in football.”
Felipe Burgaz said: “The FIFA
World Cup™ is one of the most-watched sporting events on earth. Visa’s
partnership with FIFA offers a global platform to reinforce and strengthen our
commitment towards sports. FIFA events and other assets provide our cardholders
with memorable and valuable rewards in addition to the security and convenience
of using their Visa cards.”
AbdulRazak Ali Issa, Chief
Executive of Bank Muscat, said: “The bank is proud to lead by example, not only
in the field of banking and finance but also in all arenas of national
importance. The hosting of 2014 FIFA World Cup Winner’s Trophy stems from this
commitment to offer the most fulfilling experience for the largest banking
family in Oman. The bank was the first private sector institution to announce
incentives for the national team playing in the Asian qualifiers for 2014 FIFA
World Cup™. The Asian qualifier games have been a major draw for the Sultanate
and we are optimistic to keep our hopes alive for a berth in the FIFA World Cup.
Notably, the bank has launched a unique Green Sports CSR initiative to green the
playing fields across Oman to develop a nation excelling in sports, especially
football.”
Felipe Burgaz added: “By bringing
the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ Winner’s Trophy to Oman and other parts of the GCC,
Visa brings football fans in the GCC unprecedented benefits through its proud
sponsorship with FIFA. Providing accountholders with exclusive access to these
exciting opportunities and offers will help cardholders enjoy and connect with
the Middle East’s most beloved sport.
The joy, zeal and enthusiasm
punctuating the celebrations were no doubt an affirmation that the 2014 FIFA
World Cup Winner’s Trophy event in Oman has fuelled the passion for football as
the country is poised to script a lasting legacy of sporting excellence in
football.