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Observer
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Observer
694 participants for Clubs' Cultural Creativity Competition
SALALAH: The 10th edition of the Clubs' Cultural Creativity Competition for Dhofar Governorate began on Monday at the Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex for Culture and Entertainment in Salalah. The two-day event aims to energise institutional work within clubs, uncover and nurture talents, and instil values of citizenship among young people. Dr Hamid bin Ali al Mashikhi, Director of the Department of Culture at the General Directorate of Culture, Sports and Youth in Dhofar Governorate, noted that the competition focuses on developing youth capabilities across diverse fields. Events include individual debates, sports commentary, innovation and entrepreneurship, all designed to enhance skills and empower participants. He highlighted that club-level participation has been strong, with 694 male and female participants actively engaged in all areas. The second phase of the competition will feature inter-club interactions to qualify teams for the third phase. The 10th edition features a wide range of categories, including literature (classical and popular poetry), cultural debates, visual arts (plastic arts and photography), performing arts (music and chanting), technology and innovation (entrepreneurship and electronic games) and sports commentary. - ONA
Observer
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Observer
Salalah's Youth Complex reinvents as regional hub for events
SALALAH: The Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex for Culture and Entertainment continues to shape Salalah's identity as a major event and cultural destination, with record-breaking activity during the 2025 Khareef Dhofar Season. Evolving beyond its original mandate, the Complex now serves as a dynamic hub for creative expression, sports and youth engagement — attracting international attention. Once celebrated for its architectural charm and scale, the Complex has matured into a symbol of Salalah's inclusive and modern cultural landscape. Since its inauguration in November 2016, the Complex has hosted thousands of events and its popularity is now reaching new heights — particularly among regional event planners and international cultural delegates. 'Every year, we are witnessing increased interest from international organisations looking to host conferences, festivals and workshops here', said Saada bint Said Salim al Azriyah, Head of the Women's Activities Department at the General Directorate of Culture, Sports and Youth in the Dhofar Governorate. 'During Khareef Dhofar Season 2025, we were operating at near full capacity with bookings ranging from tech symposiums to heritage festivals. The global buzz around Salalah and our unique venue has definitely grown', she said. 'What sets us apart is our ability to adapt. Our design caters to everyone — from families and school groups to fitness enthusiasts and artists. the Complex is not just for the youth; it's a platform for multi-generational connection', she said while highlighting collaborations with different stakeholders. Covering a massive 237,000 square metres, the Complex is divided into two main zones — the Centre for Art and Culture and the Centre for Physical Activities and Entertainment. The former includes clubs dedicated to heritage, art and literature, offering facilities such as a multimedia library, art studios, photography labs and a 120-seat theatre auditorium. The latter houses sports complexes, fitness hubs and zones for people with disabilities, with gender-inclusive facilities. A standout is the all-season athletic indoor track — still one of the few of its kind in Oman. In 2025, a new wing for Digital Arts and Innovation is under development, aimed at encouraging Omani youth to explore careers in gaming, filmmaking and design. Plans are also underway for a Khareef Cultural Expo next year, expected to attract participation from across the GCC and South Asia. 'The Complex has grown with the aspirations of Oman's youth. We're not just responding to demand — we're actively shaping the future of culture and entertainment in the region', said Saada.
Observer
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Inclusive summer programmes promote wellness
Al Batinah North Governorate is currently experiencing a high level of public engagement in summer programmes that extend beyond traditional cultural activities. This year, there is a greater emphasis on the mental and physical well-being of children and youth. Organised by the General Directorate of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Summer Sports Days have attracted more than 1,000 participants of various ages and genders, reflecting the community's growing interest in inclusive and beneficial development. The programme, held at the Sohar Sports Complex and continuing throughout July, offers a wide range of activities. Boys have participated in football, swimming and karate, while girls enjoy a dedicated centre that provides a safe and motivating space to engage in sports that develop fitness and motor skills. Mohammed al Farsi, General Director of the Department of Youth and Sports Activities, highlighted that the summer initiative is designed to nurture talents, promote values of teamwork and citizenship; and offer meaningful experiences during the school holiday. He noted the high level of enthusiasm across age groups, which highlights the programme's success in meeting its developmental goals. Participants also shared their positive experiences. Azzan al Hinai, a 17-year-old who joined the football programme, said, "It's been a great way to stay active and meet new people. I've learned how to work better in a team and improve my focus both on and off the field". From the girls' centre, Noor al Maqbali shared her excitement: "This is the first time I've joined a sports programme just for girls. It's empowering and I feel stronger and more confident every day". To expand the reach of these initiatives, the Directorate organised a Sports Caravan in Yanba village, located in Suhar. The event featured football, volleyball, tug of war and games for children, drawing strong participation from residents of all ages and helping spread sports culture to more remote areas. Summer centres at local clubs also continue to operate under the theme "Our Summer: Leadership and Creativity", supported by the Office of the Governor of Al Batinah North. These centres provide a mix of sports activities in a safe, energetic environment. Sports activities were distributed across participating clubs like Al Salam (football, volleyball, hockey), Majees (football, volleyball), Sohar (football, volleyball), Saham (football, girls' handball, table tennis), Al Khabourah (football, karate for both genders), and Al Suwaiq (football, girls' chess).
Observer
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Observer
Soft skills training programme help job seekers
Suhar, June 30 In an era where creativity, communication and innovation define the workforce, the Clubs Cultural Creativity Competition 2024–2025 in Al Batinah North has emerged as more than just a cultural initiative but rather launched to develop future-ready youth. Organised by the General Directorate of Culture, Sports and Youth in Al Batinah North, under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the competition continues to equip young Omanis with essential soft and technical skills aligned with today's job market demands. As the second phase of the competition unfolds, young participants are not only showcasing artistic talent, but also building critical competencies such as public speaking, entrepreneurship, media literacy and creative expression, skills that employers increasingly value. This week's events featured intense contests in Nabati poetry, classical Arabic poetry, vocal performance and music. These disciplines sharpen communication, emotional intelligence, linguistic precision and cultural literacy, key ingredients for success in media, education and creative industries. Winners included Badr al Sinani from Al Khabourah Club in poetry and Salem al Marzouqi from Saham Club in vocal performance, reflecting the diverse range of youth excellence in the governorate. Khalifa al Balushi, Head of the Competition Committee in Al Batinah North, highlighted the developmental impact of the initiative. 'These competitions are vital for preparing youth to meet the challenges of modern career landscapes and also to preserve our heritage and culture. Whether it's debating, presenting ideas, performing artistically, or launching innovative solutions, the experiences here build real-world confidence and transferable skills that open doors professionally.' Earlier rounds included competitions in debate, sports commentary and innovation and entrepreneurship, areas directly connected to job market trends. Arwa al Balushi from Al Suwaiq Club won the debate category, while Majees Club topped the innovation and entrepreneurship section, emphasising the link between creative thinking and economic opportunity. The ministry's vision behind this competition is clear: to create inclusive spaces that empower young Omanis, enhance their employability and position them as active contributors to national development. These competitions act as incubators for potential, enabling youth to transform raw talent into tangible outcomes. As Oman moves towards global success, initiatives like the Clubs Cultural Creativity Competition ensure that cultural engagement isn't just about preserving heritage but about building the future workforce, one idea at a time, to be successful in all fields with self-confident youth able to transfer knowledge into products worldwide.
Observer
10-02-2025
- Business
- Observer
'Personal Signature' training concludes in Salalah
SALALAH, FEB 10 The training programme for the 'Personal Signature' initiative wrapped up on Sunday at the Sultan Qaboos Complex for Culture, Sports and Entertainment in Salalah. Organised by the General Directorate of Culture, Sports and Youth in Dhofar. The initiative ran from February 6 to 9, focusing on skill development and professional branding for young Omanis. The event opened with an overview of the initiative's objectives, emphasising its role in equipping young people with the tools needed to market themselves professionally. Noor bint Mohammed al Awaidiyah, a key speaker, highlighted that the programme aims to provide participants with personal branding skills to enhance their presence in the job market. It also seeks to create a competitive learning environment that fosters professional growth. The first day featured a session on earning from the internet, led by Saudi e-commerce specialist Mahmoud al Fajal, who discussed strategies for self-marketing in the digital economy. Abdulaziz al Hadhrami followed with insights into entrepreneurial success, drawing from his personal career journey. A hands-on mobile photography workshop by Noor al Huda Hussein trained participants in professional smartphone photography techniques. The second day saw Noor al Awaidi delivering a session on content creation for Instagram, exploring effective content strategies, scheduling and digital marketing tools. Meanwhile, Badriya Shajnaa conducted a workshop on artificial intelligence applications, under the Tamkeen programme by the General Directorate of Social Development in Dhofar. The initiative was officially launched last week with a panel discussion on youth-led projects in e-marketing, entrepreneurship and content creation. An accompanying exhibition, inaugurated by the Director-General of Labour, showcased ten participating entities, including government bodies, private firms, and local entrepreneurs specialising in professional development and training. The event concluded with a ceremony honouring participants and contributors for their engagement in the initiative.
