Detailed information on the initiative and the common marketing benefits and programmes to OOC and its partners were unveiled during the conference, which was attended by OOC chairman Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed Al Zubair.

Also present were representatives of OOC’s partners from the private sector, and chairmen of sports associations and supporting committees.

An agreement was signed between the Oman Volleyball Association and Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel) as part of a series of programmes and events organised through the partnership between OOC and the private sector.

Since its election, the OOC Board is said to have taken a keen interest in putting in place a specific mechanism aimed at developing the sports sector, represented by the various sports associations and committees.

The Board has adopted a well-defined strategy based on the present sports reality in Oman and methods capable of further developing the relationship existing between the sports sector and the private sector, it is claimed.

To this end, OOC has launched its “Sports for Development” slogan, aimed at promoting the performance of sports organisations both administratively and technically, with particular emphasis on sports marketing.

The signing of the first sponsorship agreement between Oman Volleyball Association and Omantel came as part of a scheduled plan already put in place.

Further agreements are set to be signed in the near future with a host of leading private sector companies in Oman.

The Sultanate is far less rich in natural resources than many of its Gulf neighbours, meaning partnerships like this are key to their quest to win a first Olympic medal.

Related stories
February 2015: Oman Olympic Committee to hold General Assembly in March
November 2014: Oman and Australian Olympic Committees sign MoU
August 2014: Oman Olympic Committee unveils Sport for Development project logo
June 2014: Oman Olympic Committee agrees to form legal team
May 2014: Omani Anti-Doping Committee reveals future plans