By David Gold
August 22 – Omani football has received a huge boost as BankMuscat, the nation’s largest financial services provider, has announced that it would be supporting the national football team in its bid to qualify for the London 2012 Olympic Games and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
“BankMuscat is committed to all important social, cultural, economic and sports events as part of support to national initiatives either through the bank’s sponsorship arm or the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) department,” the company said in a statement.
“The gesture towards the national teams is a reiteration of the support for youth which is a major force in Oman.”
The Bank has provided financial incentives to the national team before, but the money now on offer will be dependent on the team performing well, and the bank’s chair Sheikh Khalid said he hoped this would add as extra motivation.
“As the nation’s leading financial institution, BankMuscat aims to strongly convey the message of support to the national team so as to also motivate others to follow suit and provide the required impetus for the team to excel in the game,” he said.
“We believe that big corporates, which benefited from the country’s Renaissance, should contribute positively and support in raising the Omani flag in achieving the dreams of Oman, to see the country participating in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and 2012 London Olympics.
“BankMuscat will stand solidly behind the national team and extend all support and encouragement to play the qualifying matches with greater confidence and emerge victorious.”
Oman faces Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Australia in the Asian qualification section for the 2014 World Cup, with the top two teams advancing to a second group stage.
The country pulled off the result of the second round of qualification for London 2012 when they crushed China, and they will again face Saudi Arabia in another four-team group stage, as well as South Korea and 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar.
The winner of each group in Olympic qualifying will play in London next year, whilst the runners up will compete for the final place.
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