NIZWA, July 1
More than 100 elderly women gathered with enthusiasm and excitement at the Nizwa Sports Complex to build new friendships and share stories among them.
The Department of Culture, Sports and Youth in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, in collaboration with the Ihsaan Association, Al Dakhiliyah branch, organised the event which on Monday was designated as an open sports day for older women as part of the Summer Sports 2024 activities.
The activities varied and included physical fitness exercises, entertaining games, breathing and relaxation techniques, traditional Omani folk songs and storytelling sessions.
Eman bint Said bin Ahmed al Daihaniyah, member of the media committee in the Summer Sports 2024 in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, said: "This event is part of the broader Summer Sports 2024 programme, which has been organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth annually since 2006 to engage the community in sports activities during the summer months. The programme aims to fill free time with sports activities that benefit the participants, such as refining their talents in various sports, enhancing their physical well-being, and fostering social connections to empower them as contributors to community development."
The programme is applied across all governorates of the Sultanate of Oman, with various departments and regional directorates participating. In Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, initiative programmes included nine sports days, volunteer and awareness initiatives, and three sports convoys in Samayil, Bidbid, and Manah. Activities also encompass sports training centres for age groups from six to 16 years in various sports programmes such as swimming, football, handball, equestrian, and fitness programmes. Additionally, sports days are open to male and female employees in government agencies.
"In regards to Monday's event, the goal of holding the Open Sports Day for older women is to involve the largest possible number of segments of society. We do not want to neglect the elderly segment, so we always give them a share of our programmes. This event is designed to offer them a break from their daily routines and create an entertaining day for them to participate in," Eman said.
The event kicked off with fitness activities and exercises suitable for this age group, which increased the enthusiasm and activity of the participants. This was followed by sessions teaching healthy and scientific breathing techniques and relaxation methods.
Appropriate competitions were held, creating an atmosphere of familiarity and connection among the participants. The day also featured performances of traditional.
Sameera bint Salim bin Said Ambusaidi, a member of the Ihsaan Association branch in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, said: “Through this initiative, we decided to target the mothers of the wilayats of Samayil, Bidbid and Izki to give a great opportunity for a larger number of elderly people affiliated with the association to participate and benefit more from the sports programmes implemented. The recreational program has been well-received by mothers, who have enjoyed it far from their usual atmosphere."
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