Youth Center created to streamline Oman’s empowerment strategy

2026-03-04 - 18:57

Muscat – A Royal Decree issued last week to establish a Youth Center marks a significant milestone in aligning national youth initiatives with the ambitions of Oman Vision 2040, which places citizens at the heart of sustainable development and economic diversification. Observers say the move signals a shift from fragmented initiatives to a unified framework anchored in governance, strategic planning and measurable outcomes. Speaking to Muscat Daily, Hajar Khamis Al Azri, an innovator, described the establishment of the center as a strategic advancement aimed at nurturing leadership and supporting the foundations of a sustainable sports economy. She said the decree reflects confidence in the capabilities of Omani youth and underscores the importance of creating an enabling environment that fosters innovation while linking ambition to labour market demands. Hajar Khamis Al Azri Hajar added that the center is expected to deepen youth participation in decision-making and equip young Omanis with the skills needed to adapt to rapid global transformations. Abdullah Khamis Al Farsi, a world champion in Jiu-Jitsu, said the decree represents a national platform to redefine youth empowerment within a modern institutional framework. He stressed that sport has evolved into a global industry with tangible economic and investment value, requiring integrated systems that encompass technical training, administration and marketing. Abdullah Khamis Al Farsi Drawing on his experience in promoting Jiu-Jitsu in Oman since 2014, Al Farsi noted that structured investment has demonstrated its capacity to produce athletes capable of competing on the international stage. He emphasised the importance of decentralising programmes to ensure equitable opportunities across governorates, pointing out that talent exists nationwide but requires sustained and systematic support. Widely viewed as a transformative step, the establishment of the Youth Center consolidates national efforts to develop human capital and prepare a generation capable of contributing meaningfully to the sultanate’s long-term development goals. A youth centre functioning under the Ministry of Cultute, Sports and Youth since 2022 till now was overseeing youth centric activities. The center had recorded sustained growth in participation across its programmes and facilities, reinforcing its expanding role as a national hub for youth development. Between 2022 and December 25, 2025, total beneficiaries reached approximately 500,180. This includes 62,646 participants in specialised programmes and 435,550 beneficiaries who utilised the center’s facilities. During the same period, the center delivered 399 training programmes and partnered with 1,324 institutions, including contracted small and medium-sized enterprises, within a structured ecosystem built on collaboration and clearly defined roles. In 2025 alone, the center implemented 85 training programmes benefiting 12,660 young men and women, while the number of facility users exceeded 140,000.