Muscat: Salalah Club demonstrated their supremacy in Oman's sports arena by winning the esteemed His Majesty’s Cup for Youth for the fourth consecutive year during the 2022/2023 season.
The club was honored at an awards ceremony held at Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel, on Monday, organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth, with Qais bin Mohammed al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry & Investment Promotion, serving as the patron.
This victory for the Dhofar-based club represents another important achievement in their history, as they received both the trophy and a cash prize of OMR30,000.
Seeb Club secured the runner-up position for the second year in a row, earning the silver shield along with a cash prize of OMR27,000.
Saham Club improved their standing from the previous season, claiming the bronze shield and a cash prize of OMR25,000.
Oman Club made a commendable leap from fifth to fourth place, while Masirah Club fell from third to fifth.
Nizwa Club made a strong comeback to the top six after a year’s absence, finishing in sixth place.
Ahli-Sidab advanced one position from last season to take seventh place, while Quriyat ended up in ninth. Al Bashayer Club experienced a decline, dropping to tenth place after finishing sixth in the previous season.
Basil bin Ahmed al Rawas, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth for Sports and Youth, highlighted the significance of the HM’s Cup for Youth in acknowledging the exceptional contributions of clubs towards youth empowerment.
He stated, “His Majesty’s Cup for Youth is an annual celebration that honors the efforts of clubs in engaging young people through various sports, cultural, and youth initiatives. This competition also emphasizes the essential role that clubs play in promoting community development.”
Al Rawas further remarked on how the competition aligns with His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik’s ongoing dedication to the youth sector, noting its importance in inspiring clubs to continually improve their offerings. “A primary goal of the competition is to motivate clubs to act as centers for youth, effectively addressing their aspirations and ambitions,” he added.
In the 2022-2023 edition, a total of 44 clubs participated.
The HM’s Cup for Youth transcends being merely a sporting event; it is crucial for the sports and youth sector in Oman. The Cup provides an essential platform for talent development, fosters healthy competition, and offers youth opportunities to engage in activities that contribute to their personal development and societal well-being. Through this competition, the ministry remains committed to assisting clubs in achieving their objectives and ensuring the ongoing growth of Oman’s sports sector.
Since its inception in 1998, the Ministry has established assessment criteria to adapt to the evolving needs of each phase.
This strategy includes aligning the competition's objectives with the ministry’s future plans and the Omani sports strategy to support the aspirations of Oman Vision 2040.
