Initiative Launched to Boost Fan Attendance in Jindal Football
League

Muscat, 30 Aug 2026 (ONA) — Oman Football Association, in
collaboration with Jindal Iron Company, today announced the launch of the
“Our Stand Unites Us” initiative, aimed at enhancing fan attendance
in the Jindal Football League for the 2026/2027 sports season. This initiative
seeks to strengthen the bond between clubs and their supporters and transform
stadium stands into vibrant spaces of presence, interaction, identity, and
belonging.

The announcement was made during a press conference held by the
Association, attended by Mohammed Sulaiman Al Yahmadi, Executive Director and
Secretary General of Oman Football Association and Sami Al Saheb, Vice
President of Strategic Affairs at Jindal Iron Company.

The strategy carries the motto “A Full Stand, An Engaged
Club and A Belonging Community,” underpinned by a vision that affirms fans
are not merely numbers in the stands but essential partners in the value of the
competition, the promotion of club identity, and the development of the
football product.

The press conference detailed the project’s components,
objectives, implementation tracks, and evaluation and measurement mechanisms,
alongside the competition system and incentives allocated to clubs and fans, in
accordance with the approved regulatory framework circulated to participating
clubs.

The Association, in partnership with Jindal, has allocated RO
100,000 in prizes for excellence in fan engagement and attendance stimulation,
distributed across two phases: The first at the conclusion of the first round,
and the second at the end of the season. Evaluation criteria include attendance
volume and consistency, positive interaction and support, club identity
promotion, media and fan content, community initiatives, and sportsmanship.

The evaluation process is overseen by a specialized committee
applying standardized criteria based on measurable indicators, ensuring
fairness and equal opportunities among clubs.

Mohammed Sulaiman Al Yahmadi, Secretary General of Oman Football
Association, affirmed that the strategy represents a new approach to fan
engagement, extending beyond merely increasing attendance numbers to focus on
building a sustainable fan culture and reinforcing the supporter’s role within
the club experience.

The initiative includes the allocation of RO 32,500 in prizes
and incentive awards throughout the league rounds, aimed at encouraging
excellence in both fan and sporting performance. These cover a number of
categories, including Best Fan Association and Best Player of the Round, in
accordance with the evaluation mechanism outlined in the regulatory framework.
The total value of prizes and incentives allocated to the project thus amounts
to RO 132,500, distributed between fan excellence awards and incentive prizes.

Sami Al Saheb, Vice President of Strategic Affairs at Jindal
Iron Company, affirmed that the company’s sponsorship of this initiative stems
from its belief in the role of sport in fostering community engagement and
supporting youth.

Al Saheb stated: “We are proud to be part of this
initiative aimed at enhancing fan attendance in the Jindal League through an
integrated experience. Our support for this strategy reflects our commitment to
contributing to sustainable initiatives that promote the participation of
youth, families, and the community in football.”

The strategy is built on six main pillars, namely the return of
fans to the stands and the enhancement of the spectator experience, the Best
Fan Association competition, media and content, identity and culture, community
and volunteering, and impact measurement.

The closing ceremony of the 2026/2027 sports season is scheduled
to honor a number of winners across various categories, including Best Player,
Best Young Player, Best Goalkeeper, League Top Scorer, Best Coach, Best
Administrator, Best Referee, and Best Assistant Referee, alongside a range of
awards related to media, organization, administration, monitoring, and security
and technical coordination, such as Best Media Coordinator and Best Fan
Coordinator.

— Ends/AH