at Muscat Football League Nawras ambassador Ali Al Habsi creates a frenzy

Nawras, the Sultanate’s customer-friendly communications provider, proudly welcomed Ali Al Habsi to the Muscat Community Football League (MCFL), where he created a frenzy of excitement amongst the crowd of children and parents. Some children had played their matches much earlier in the day but the families stayed at the ground, patiently waiting for Al Habsi to appear. As Oman’s award-winning goalkeeper walked onto the pitch to join the Nawras football team, he was immediately surrounded by young footballers, eager to meet such a sporting hero. Al Habsi posed for photographs with delighted members of the Nawras team as well as other teams participating in the MCFL. He took a great deal of time to sign a never-ending stream of memorabilia that his fans presented, ranging from football boots and goalie gloves to posters of the Omani team and even a broken arm!

Tore Solberg, Nawras Marketing Director, is responsible for coaching the Nawras team together with his colleague, Geir Engen. Solberg said, “Nawras is delighted to support local community activities with a pleasingly different approach; and is particularly pleased to include the MCFL as it involves children from more than 25 countries. We are very grateful that so soon after the G C Cup, Ali Al Habsi was able to spend this time with the children at the MCFL, giving them a unique experience that they will be sure to remember for a long time. We are delighted that Nawras has contributed to putting such big smiles on so many faces today. Our thanks also go to the MCFL committee members for their support.”

Nawras is sponsoring a team of 10 to 11-year-olds in the MCFL, as part of its caring support for community projects. Over 300 boys and girls, aged from six to 15-years-old, attend practise sessions once a week at a number of venues all over the capital and play football matches every Thursday at the Oman Football Club, culminating in a day-long tournament to complete the season. Whilst the Nawras football team may not have achieved the result they wanted in their match this week, the arrival of Ali Al Habsi meant the score was soon forgotten, as they eagerly lined up for the opportunity to take a penalty shot against the national and international goalkeeper. The crowd was bowled over by Ali Al Habsi’s agile ducking and diving as he demonstrated his star quality, receiving penalty shots from more than 50 of the young hopefuls.

Omar Al Rahbi, wearing the number 11 shirt for the Nawras team, had the honour of striking the first penalty shot of the afternoon against Al Habsi and afterwards, still in awe, he spoke about his experience. He said, “It was quite scary because I was the first person to shoot the ball here. I am so happy to have had this chance to try and kick the ball past Ali Al Habsi; this is such a great day for me.”

The MCFL has been in existence for eight years and speaking on behalf of the organising committee, Claudio Barrio said, “The children were very excited to have the opportunity to see such a role model, someone who has made it to the top. We thank Nawras for bringing Ali here today, providing the highlight of the MCFL year and simultaneously raising the profile of the league. Ali was very kind to allow the children to take penalty shots, to let them kick the ball at someone who only days before, was playing in a cup final and voted the Best Goalkeeper in the G C Cup. This day will stay in their memories for a very long time.”

Nawras is pleased to support the MCFL, another example of the company playing an active role in society and taking the opportunity to ‘Get closer’ to the people of Oman.

 07 Feb 2007