sayyid khalid’s ambitious vision for the future of omani football catapults the upcoming 2007-2011 cycle to a whole new level
In a sportive gathering of current and former club Presidents, members of the Omani Olympic Committee, sports personalities and members of the press, Sayyid Khalid bin Hamad Al-Busaidi unveiled his vision and campaign platform ‘Comprehensive Vision – Bright Future’ to transform Omani football into a flourishing industry for the upcoming Oman Football Association elections 2007-2011 cycle.
With the upcoming Oman Football Association board elections approaching on August 30th 2007, Sayyid Khalid bin Hamad Al Busaidi and Sheikh Salim bin Saeed Al Wahaibi have already publicly announced their candidacy for Chairman and Vice-Chairman after being nominated by the Seeb Club and Muscat Club respectively, as part of their national duty to pave the road for Oman’s football success.
They believe that current efforts exerted by various parties need to be focused, well managed and benchmarked to international standards. “This needs to be translated into a long-term sustainable strategy of which I intend to spearhead along with Sheikh Salim Al Wahaibi to reform the sport in the Sultanate keeping the needs and best interest of all stakeholders such as the Clubs, Government, football players and the community at heart to nurture empowerment,” said Sayyid Khalid.
Sayyid Khalid and his team aim to take Omani football to a whole new level by raising awareness on the game itself in regards to technical expertise, management and marketing which will enable the creation of a true profession which instills cultural, commercial and social value in local communities and the society as a whole. This entails the implementation of various sophisticated training programs available to all football clubs and providing the best possible professional instructors and trainers to educating the media on the efforts exerted by the Association and marketing the Sultanate’s highly qualified football players and future athletes.
“Football is much more than a sport, it is the heartbeat of the Nation,” added Sayyid Khalid. “I plan to bring to the table a set of new innovative ideas and an ambitious vision within a concrete, multi-dimensional and proactive strategy not only for the Association but for football and the Nation as a whole. My vast football experience, business methodology and artistic panache have fostered the necessary disciplines and leadership skills to take the Association from strength to strength.”
Sayyid Khalid will be conducting a series of visits to all the football clubs in Oman over the next couple of weeks to gain insight and a first-hand understanding of the various challenges, accomplishments and long term objectives of the respective football clubs in the Sultanate associated with his aspiring vision.
Sayyid Khalid’s extensive football experience dates back to 1986 with numerous history making milestones of the Fanja Club under his leadership both on a local and regional level. As Vice-Chairman of the Fanja Club in 1986 and Chairman from 1988-1991, he was able to channel the passion and enthusiasm of football into recognized successes including qualifying for the first time to the Asian Cup finals and the Arab Championship achieving 4th place position in 1988 as well as the triumphant victory of the 1989 Gulf Clubs Competition in Bahrain, the only Omani Club to do so to date.
A businessman and football enthusiast, Sayyid Khalid hopes to incorporate the strengths and disciplines of the two fields into football, providing a multifaceted perspective to the sport.
