Oman Football Association and Jindal Launch Fan Engagement Initiative

RO132,500 in Prizes Announced to Boost Jindal League Fan Attendance

Muscat (ONA): Oman Football Association, in collaboration with Jindal Iron Company, today announced the launch of the “Our Stand Unites Us” initiative, aimed at enhancing fan attendance in the Jindal Football League for the 2026/2027 sports season. This initiative seeks to strengthen the bond between clubs and their supporters and transform stadium stands into vibrant spaces of presence, interaction, identity, and belonging.

The announcement was made during a press conference held by the Association, attended by Mohammed Sulaiman Al Yahmadi, Executive Director and Secretary General of Oman Football Association and Sami Al Saheb, Vice President of Strategic Affairs at Jindal Iron Company.

The strategy carries the motto “A Full Stand, An Engaged Club and A Belonging Community,” underpinned by a vision that affirms fans are not merely numbers in the stands but essential partners in the value of the competition, the promotion of club identity, and the development of the football product.

The press conference detailed the project’s components, objectives, implementation tracks, and evaluation and measurement mechanisms, alongside the competition system and incentives allocated to clubs and fans, in accordance with the approved regulatory framework circulated to participating clubs.

The Association, in partnership with Jindal, has allocated RO 100,000 in prizes for excellence in fan engagement and attendance stimulation, distributed across two phases: The first at the conclusion of the first round, and the second at the end of the season. Evaluation criteria include attendance volume and consistency, positive interaction and support, club identity promotion, media and fan content, community initiatives, and sportsmanship.

The evaluation process is overseen by a specialized committee applying standardized criteria based on measurable indicators, ensuring fairness and equal opportunities among clubs.

Mohammed Sulaiman Al Yahmadi, Secretary General of Oman Football Association, affirmed that the strategy represents a new approach to fan engagement, extending beyond merely increasing attendance numbers to focus on building a sustainable fan culture and reinforcing the supporter’s role within the club experience.

The initiative includes the allocation of RO 32,500 in prizes and incentive awards throughout the league rounds, aimed at encouraging excellence in both fan and sporting performance. These cover a number of categories, including Best Fan Association and Best Player of the Round, in accordance with the evaluation mechanism outlined in the regulatory framework. The total value of prizes and incentives allocated to the project thus amounts to RO 132,500, distributed between fan excellence awards and incentive prizes.

Sami Al Saheb, Vice President of Strategic Affairs at Jindal Iron Company, affirmed that the company’s sponsorship of this initiative stems from its belief in the role of sport in fostering community engagement and supporting youth.

Al Saheb stated: “We are proud to be part of this initiative aimed at enhancing fan attendance in the Jindal League through an integrated experience. Our support for this strategy reflects our commitment to contribute to sustainable initiatives that promote the participation of youth, families, and the community in football.”

The strategy is built on six main pillars, namely the return of fans to the stands and the enhancement of the spectator experience, the Best Fan Association competition, media and content, identity and culture, community and volunteering, and impact measurement.

The closing ceremony of the 2026/2027 sports season is scheduled to honor a number of winners across various categories, including Best Player, Best Young Player, Best Goalkeeper, League Top Scorer, Best Coach, Best Administrator, Best Referee, and Best Assistant Referee, alongside a range of awards related to media, organization, administration, monitoring, and security and technical coordination, such as Best Media Coordinator and Best Fan Coordinator.