Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker (left), with Sabco Sports Chairman, Sayyid Khalid bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, during the sponsorship agreement signing event.
Doha: Qatar Airways announced yesterday that it is the Official Airline Partner for three of Oman’s Ministry of Education sports programs, in addition to the Oman International Youth Cup (OIYC).
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker signed an official sponsorship agreement with Sabco Sports Chairman, Sayyid Khalid bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al Busaidi.
Each program offers Omani youth an opportunity to join different sports leagues, which are held throughout the year in Oman. The partnership is undertaken in association with Sabco Sports, who are the commercial partner for the Oman Ministry of Education.
The Olympic Program runs from October to March of each year and enables children from different regions across Oman to compete in a variety of sports, including athletics, chess, sailing and volleyball, with the qualifying players of each sport advancing to the finals. Similarly, the Football Program also runs from October to March of each year and the qualifying teams from each region compete at the finals that traditionally take place in Muscat.
Furthermore, the new National Obstacle Series (NOS), runs year-round and invites students from public and private schools to take part in the challenge. The NOS Program is a new scheme that was launched by Sabco Sports in Oman, and advocates for a healthier lifestyle for youth. The Oman International Youth Cup is a football tournament for Under 9s, Under 11s, Under 13s and Under 15s, from across the globe, who have the opportunity to showcase their football skills from the heart of the Middle East. The three sports programs offered by the Ministry of Education in Oman are open to both boys and girls that are enrolled in public schools across the country, and that are aged under 18.
Akbar Al Baker, said: “Qatar Airways is delighted to be partnering for the first time with the Omani Ministry of Education for their three youth sports programs, in addition to the Oman International Youth Cup. These sponsorships strengthen the airline’s extensive global sporting partnership portfolio and demonstrate the strength of our commitment to Oman, a destination always popular with our customers. “By sponsoring these Programs and the Youth Cup, we hope to further inspire future generations in sports and specifically football, a sport that has been on the rise in Qatar and the Middle East as a whole.”
Chairman of Sabco Sports, Sayyid Khalid Al Busaidi, said: “Qatar Airways is a key organisation in the region, and they are well known for their support of sport and the community. This is an important initiative that will greatly benefit the children of Oman.”
