By Vinod Raghavan*
Muscat: In July mercury touches 40+ degrees centigrade in the Sultanate of Oman, badly hitting sports enthusiasts, who are compelled to curtail their outdoor activities because of the scorching July Sun.
However, heat will no longer remain an issue this time as Oman’s premier indoor sports festival ‘Sports Spark’ brings all favourite sports under one cool roof at the sprawling newly decked sports venue in Muscat’s Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC) until August 2024.
So Omanis are now ready to dive into their favourite sports and enjoy fitness fun at ‘Sports Spark’, which opened today. The event is poised to become a leading destination for locals looking to exercise and stay fit this summer.
Hosted and organised by the OCEC in collaboration with Muscat Governorate and OMRAN Group with the strategic partnership of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and logistical support from Sabco Sport, the event highlights the shared commitment of various organisations in Oman to promote accessible physical activity and community engagement during hostile weather conditions.
‘Sports Spark’ has been designed to provide the community with an exciting opportunity to stay active and healthy during the summer months.
With a wide range of sports and fitness activities from football, cricket, volleyball or basketball, table tennis, tennis, archery, and board games, to running tracks for athletes, participants of all ages can engage themselves in their favourite physical activities in a comfortable, climate-controlled environment. What more? There are professional coaches and trainers too there helping one to hone the skills! They guide participants through each sport.
The events also include a daily morning summer camp from 9 am to 1 pm for children aged 6-14 that remains open until midnight daily, with activities available upon registration on the Sports Spark website, Dr Hashil Al Mahrouqi, CEO of OMRAN Group said. He informed while most of the games were free to access including the fitness corner and running track, and only a few are charged a minimum amount, ensuring everyone can benefit.
With each facility created in collaboration with local SMEs and sports associations, the OCEC is confident that this event will appeal to a wide range of individuals, from children to well-known athletes. Mahrouqi added, “We believe in the importance of promoting health and wellness among our community members”. According to him ‘Sports Spark’ has been a “fantastic initiative” that encourages the community to stay active and healthy through a variety of sports and fitness activities.
“By supporting this event, we aim to provide a platform for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to showcase their facilities and services, thereby contributing to the growth of our local economy. It is also a chance for families and friends to come together and enjoy shared activities, strengthening the bonds within our community,” Mahrouqi said.
Engineer Said Al Shanfari, CEO of the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre, remarked: “We are thrilled to host such a fantastic event at the OCEC, underscoring our dedication to enhancing the quality of life for our residents. Sports Spark perfectly aligns with our mission to promote a healthy and active lifestyle in a secure environment, offering a diverse array of indoor sports and fitness options that keep the community engaged, energized, and healthy… I look forward to seeing everyone explore our facilities and register on our website to book their next fitness or sports session.”
Al Shanfari further said, “I am also deeply grateful to organise this event in collaboration with the Muscat Governorate and our strategic partner, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, with additional support from OMRAN Group and Sabco Sport. The long-lasting benefits for both physical and mental well-being are immense, and we are proud that these companies recognise the power of Sports Spark in fostering such positive outcomes.”
*Senior journalist
