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The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Grassroots Charter welcomed the Oman Football Association (OFA) to its Bronze level membership ranks on May 30, 2023.
The OFA became the 25th Member Association (MA) to be recognised under the Bronze category, taking the number of endorsed MAs to 40 when the Gold and Silver levels are also included.
The AFC Grassroots Panel took note of the OFA’s well-presented plans for grassroots football to flourish in the country.
Crucially, grassroots development plans will be carried out in each of Oman’s provinces, which will increase outreach to participants. There will be dedicated coordinators in the provinces who will work with the grassroots managers, all under the keen supervision of the OFA.
There will also be a very strong focus on the structures of school leagues and tournaments, while the OFA’s robust relationships with important stakeholders such as the education authorities and different football academies will further encourage the spread of the game.
Already, various football competitions for schools as well as player programmes, for both boys and girls, have been held since 2022 in Oman. The OFA also has a solid sponsorship structure for all its grassroots competitions and tournaments through national companies, which reinforces the sustainability of the programmes. Facility-wise, the majority of venues associated with the OFA have been made available for use.
Several workshops on various topics such as child safeguarding, sports leadership and grassroots football have been conducted to spur a more holistic understanding of grassroots development and establish a strong platform to build on.
Regular updates on the OFA’s initiatives and programmes are provided across its social media platforms and website, with the main aim of educating the community on grassroots football and its benefits, as well as to showcase the player pathways in Oman.
Based on the tenets that were highlighted, the AFC Grassroots Panel agreed that the OFA met all the criteria that are deemed necessary for a Bronze level endorsement in the AFC Grassroots Charter.
The OFA’s Technical Director, Sghaier Zouita, said: “At Oman Football Association, we are immensely proud to receive the Bronze Level Membership for our AFC Grassroots Charter. This achievement stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to nurturing and developing grassroots football within our community. It reflects our dedication to provide accessible opportunities for young talents to flourish our firm belief in the power of football-driven community.
“The Bronze Level membership is not merely an accolade; it is a symbol of our ongoing journey and a motivation to continuously enhance our programs and initiatives. We remain steadfast in our commitment to provide quality coaching, create inclusive environments, child protection, and foster the values of teamwork, respect, and fair play.
“Let us continue to harness the power of grassroots football and inspire the next generation of players, coaches, and football enthusiasts.”
