OFA setes outstanding players at Omantel League 2024-2025 season's finale
The ceremony, held under the auspices of OFA Chairman Salim Said Al Wahaibi, took place in the Wilayat of A'Seeb
The ceremony included a visual presentation about Omantel League's most prominent events, the season's statistics, the announcement of winners of the 'Best' awards during the 2024-2025 Omantel League season, as well as the candidates for the "Star of the Season Award".
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Times of Oman
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- Times of Oman
Oman's Child Culture Award boosts national belonging among children
Muscat: The Child Culture Award stands as one of the pioneering initiatives launched by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth to nurture children's and adolescents' literary and intellectual expression while reinforcing their connection to Oman's national identity and cultural heritage. The award encourages creative expression among children and fosters engagement with themes of identity and belonging. Ahmed Nasser Al Rashdi, Head of the Child Culture Department at the Directorate General of Knowledge and Cultural Development, stated that the ministry introduced the Child Culture Award in 2021 through its two categories, 'Speak So I Can See You" and 'Oman Narrates." The initiative aims to deepen Omani cultural awareness and instill loyalty and national pride in children while enhancing their expressive and imaginative skills. Each year, the award revolves around three distinct themes. Al Rashdi explained that the competition targets both children and professionals in child culture. The first category, 'Speak So I Can See You," is open to Omani and resident children aged 7 to 12, seeking to identify gifted young speakers who can eloquently represent Oman in media and public forums. The second, 'Oman Narrates," invites Omani and Arab writers residing in Oman to produce child-friendly literature that highlights the nation's cultural heritage for global audiences. This year's 'Speak So I Can See You" competition saw 523 participants in its preliminary stage—a 133-participant increase from the previous edition—attributed to awareness workshops organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Education's Career Guidance Centre, involving 70 supervisors and teachers nationwide. Participants submitted videos on themes such as designing a household robot, representing Oman internationally, or proposing a tourism project showcasing Omani identity. Meanwhile, 'Oman Narrates" attracted 124 entries, up by 84 from last year. Writers crafted stories centered on Omani seasonal traditions—such as Eid, Khareef, rose and pomegranate harvests, and local festivals—to introduce Arab children to Oman's intangible heritage through engaging visual storytelling. Notably, the 2025 edition marked the first participation of children with disabilities, including 7 visually impaired and 2 physically impaired contestants. Al-Rashdi emphasised the award's role in uncovering new literary talents, particularly among educators who deeply understand children's mindsets. The ministry has published five books on Omani heritage for children, compiling winning entries from past competitions. In the 2025 finals, five children—including two visually impaired participants—advanced after direct interviews held during 6-8 July. Five winning texts, unranked, will be edited and published in 'Oman Narrates – Part 4." Arab writers residing in Oman represented five nationalities: Egypt (5), Yemen (3), Lebanon (1), and Tunisia (1). All 'Speak So I Can See You" submissions this year focused on 'Representing Omani Etiquette in International Forums.'
Times of Oman
20 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Cultural Street at Ittin Square enriches literary scene during Khareef Dhofar season
Salalah: The Cultural and Literary Street, established this year by Dhofar Municipality as part of the Ittin Square events in the Wilayat of Salalah, is a highlight of the Khareef Dhofar (monsoon) season 2025. It aims to showcase the governorate's diverse cultural scene through interactive events that attract visitors of all ages. The Cultural Street features a range of accompanying activities, including musical performances, storytelling, plastic arts, poetry evenings, and a "postman" event. It also hosts a wide participation from publishing houses and libraries, which are displaying Omani and Arab literary and cultural publications that cater to the interests of various community segments. In this context, Salim Mohammed Al Yafai, Director of the Cultural and Literary Street and Chairman of the Khareef Dhofar Book Fair 2025, explained that the fair is an annual event during the Khareef season. Ittin Square was chosen as its location this year to be part of the Cultural and Literary Street, given its notable presence among the season's activities. He noted that the fair includes 27 publishing houses and libraries from various Gulf and Arab countries. He added that Dhofar Municipality has prepared a cultural programme with diverse stops to enrich visitors' cultural experiences, expressing his hope that the fair will boost local and international attendance. Awadh Salim Al Shukaili, owner of "Bain Al Suttoor" (Between the Lines) publishing house, said his company is participating in the fair for the fourth consecutive year. He highlighted that the publishing house is a key supporter of Omani writers, having contributed to the printing and publishing of works by several Omani authors, in addition to its participation in Gulf and Arab fairs. He added that the idea of establishing the library was to empower Omani writers to have a presence on regional and international stages. The publishing house issues various books in self-development, novels, short stories, law, and Omani heritage. Adel Metwally, a representative from Egypt's "Boursat Al Kotob" (Book Exchange) publishing house, confirmed their continuous participation in the Khareef Dhofar Book Fair since 2015. He explained that this year's participation focuses on displaying Omani books, particularly those on history, as well as supporting young Omani writers and providing children's and scientific books. Metwally praised the Cultural and Literary Street experience, calling it "exceptional," especially with the aesthetic appeal of its location at Ittin Square. He noted that "Boursat Al Kotob" has more than 100 publications by Omani writers from various governorates of Oman, covering multiple fields including poetry, novels, short stories, memoirs, and human development. -ONA
Times of Oman
2 days ago
- Times of Oman
Monday column: The family ties and cultural encounter
When I had a heartburn eating its way in my chest, I decided to get up from my coffee shop table hoping the walk will get rid of it. About a hundred meters away, I saw a man standing over a screen typing 'playground' and I stopped curiously to find out what was in his mind. He was actually typing on a car finder and expecting to find an indoor play area. I was still there when he turned around. I asked him if he had any luck. With a smile that betrayed his embarrassment, he told me 'I just wanted to try it out.' Seconds later, a young couple joined us. It turned out that it was his son and the woman was his daughter in law. They are Canadians and the young couple bought a property in Muscat to settle in Oman. Then the 'playground' riddle unfolded itself. The man was looking for a play area for his two grandsons. Obviously, the young couple were too busy earning a living and he, as a grandfather, had the unenviable task of entertaining the two little boys. I wished them luck and continued with my battle of taming my heartburn. But two things were in my mind as I was walking around. First, the role of parents that we all have in different periods of our lives. There are many transitions but not without challenges. Like the rolling hills of life, there are ups and downs. The climb can be too steep and the descent very slippery. Like my mother used to say to me jokingly, 'there will be payback time somewhere in the future' when it is our turn. As I write these lines, I realize now there are actually two 'paybacks', not just one. From the role of a parent and that of grandparent. I am not sure which role is more testing. I would say, being a parent is much more challenging. While the role of a grandparent is satisfying, because you can always return the little ones to their parents when they start driving you crazy. While on the subject, next week, my wife and I will be spending time with an 'army' of our grandchildren in Salalah. My second thought was my encounter with non-Omanis settling in our blessed country. A good number of them are opting to work here and even buy properties that would lead to their retirement. The intercultural experience is good for the future of Oman. But having said that, Oman is well experience with co-existence with different cultures. Our well documented history can verify it when our ancestors travelled half of the world. So that chance encounter with the Canadian family in a busy mall said it all. For me, it triggered personal feelings and national loyalty at the same time. It reminded me once again that family ties are very important. There are the milestones of life. Where are we without them? If we ignore these ties then we are lost in a desert of despair. While in the same context, our national identities are very important especially when we travel and meet people from different countries. Another thing comes to mind. Human interactions cannot be underestimated, too. When we see people from different background, it opens up new horizons to embrace a diversity of heritage and cultures.
