Amateur Football League: Community Engagement, Youth Talent Discovery Across GovernoratesMuscat, 30 Jul (ONA) — The Amateur Football League in the Sultanate of Oman stands out as one of the most prominent summer sporting events, featuring intense competition and broad participation from various local teams, alongside a significant fan turnout. The tournament is held at three levels—club, governorate, and finally nationwide—culminating in the crowning of the championship-winning team. The league serves as a vital platform for local teams to showcase their technical skills and compete in an organized and integrated sporting environment. It also contributes to discovering and refining young talents from different governorates, fosters a sense of sporting belonging, and acts as a bridge between local teams and professional clubs. Ali Hamad Al Maawali, Director of Facilities in Muscat Governorate at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and Vice Chairman of the Amateur League Committee, stated: “The 2025 Amateur League is part of ongoing national efforts to support and develop local teams across Oman’s various wilayats through structured competitions that help identify and nurture talent, preparing them to join clubs and national teams. The league also strengthens the concept of community partnership and sporting allegiance while providing ample space for social and sporting engagement.”He explained that the current edition of the league has seen remarkable and widespread participation, with 420 teams representing 41 clubs and six sports centers, involving over 11,500 players and 2,700 administrators and coaches—bringing the total beneficiaries of the program to more than 15,000 individuals. This reflects the league’s status as the largest community sporting event in Oman. Al Maawali noted that this year’s most significant achievement has been the genuine convergence between local teams and clubs, along with the emergence of several promising talents that could shape the future of Omani sports if properly supported and guided. He added: “We organize the league through a playoff system starting at the wilayat level, progressing to governorates, and concluding with nationwide finals. We emphasize continuous improvements in organizational and technical aspects based on field feedback, aligning with participants’ aspirations while maintaining the program’s core vision.”He highlighted that the league’s strongest feature is its deep connection with the community, as evidenced by this year’s remarkable public engagement across various wilayats—reflecting the event’s significance in the hearts of the people and their eagerness to follow and participate in it. The final phase, he noted, is among the most critical stages of the program. The finals draw will take place next Saturday, 2 August 2025, with matches kicking off on Sunday, 4 August and the championship concluding with the final match on Saturday, 10 August.“We aim for this stage to showcase a commendable technical level, reflecting the teams’ hard work and furthering the league’s objectives. We remain committed to developing this national project to meet our youth’s aspirations and serve the future of Omani sports,” he affirmed. Meanwhile, Khalfan Hamad Al Zidi, Chairman of Nizwa Club’s Board of Directors, stated: “Organizing competitions and activities—whether sporting, cultural, or social—that bring together local teams affiliated with clubs is a positive step toward achieving desired goals. The Amateur League stands out as a key initiative that has revitalized local teams and intensified competition among them. The tournament also yields tangible benefits for clubs, most notably the discovery and showcasing of young football talents.”In remarks to ONA, Al Zidi emphasized that the tournament carries numerous positives, including engaging youth in beneficial sports activities, enhancing their athletic and intellectual skills, and creating a competitive atmosphere that keeps clubs active outside the regular football season. The league also serves as an opportunity to scout new players for club representation, particularly for the first team or age-group squads, while providing economic returns for clubs, he added.On his turn, national coach Ahmed Mubarak Al Alawi highlighted that the league provides an effective opportunity for players who are not registered in any club to showcase their abilities, potentially opening doors to officially join clubs. “Such initiatives help unleash youth potential, fill their free time productively, and uncover hidden talents that might otherwise go unnoticed,” he said. Al-Alawi praised the dedication of local teams and the crucial role of fans in driving engagement and creating a vibrant sporting atmosphere.— Ends/AH