" loose frame"

Author: Abdulaziz Younis
Date: 10 July 2006

The major challenge ahead for the Omani sports officials is how to move to "Market of Sports", some thing like "Market Economy", in a time most of the countries in the region seek to deregulate various economic sectors which have been a sheer government function for decades.. The Sultanate is not exception to this effect.

I gather that the desired "transformation" of the Omani sports has already been initiated.. This painstaking process requires good planning, patience, persistence, "good intention" and years of tireless efforts before it pays off. While, the Seminar on the Future of Omani Sports, held last April, produced significant recommendations, it is much more important to look on how to put these outputs in effect.. it is also similarly important to get the sports stakeholders to realize the significance of addressing many headings such as "sports marketing", which, in my opinion, entails to stamp-out the Omani sports from "the very formal frame" to a "loose frame' so that the sports can act as an entertaining drive for the entire community. This can be done while maintaining our tradition and culture.

The "sports marketing" is not a "stumbling block" in Oman only.. raising funds for sports activities is a common global issue.. the difference revolves around the good sports management and how to harness the market potentials.

I really don't like the word "lack of potentials"..  and excuses here are not justifiable.. instead of arguing about the "lack of potentials", it is rather better to try to fully utilize all the diverse and multi-faceted "potentials" we already have..

Here is where the "techniques" of sports marketing count.. I mean to say "techniques" as there are parties who make us pay money and smile!!.. The Reality Show "Gulf Star" for instance, tempted Omanis to pay through SMS a sum of RO 300,000/-, i.e. over one million US$, in a short span of time, for the sake of one person.. The question raised: Is it an issue of potentials or techniques?..

The sports marketing issue is a thorny one.. true.. but the key factor here is the TV broadcast.. with the sports base expanding rapidly and the growing numbers of sports followers, it is important to reconsider the duration of the TV sports broadcast.. We need more in-depth sports talk shows to further inculcate the sports culture in the community and this is could be a good start to begin with..

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