The Oman Football Association (OFA) will use nearly 95 percent of the funds received from FIFA under the FIFA Forward Programme, according to a report by the Times of Oman.
The programme aims to promote football development globally and is a key component of FIFA President Gianni Infantino‘s Vision 2020-2023.
A FIFA spokesperson, in an exclusive interview with Times of Oman, revealed that the main development investment undertaken by FIFA and OFA is a technical centre and accommodation infrastructure project.
The project, funded by FIFA Forward 1.0 and 2.0, is over 95 percent completed.
The spokesperson also announced that OFA would receive a total grant of $8 million under FIFA Forward 3.0, spanning the 2023-2026 period.
The spokesperson highlighted that football in Oman would be eligible for a 29 percent increase in funding for development over the next four years through FIFA Forward 3.0.
From 2019 to 2022, FIFA allocated $6 million to support Oman football under FIFA Forward 2.0.
Enhancing Oman football: New facility progress
An unnamed high-ranking OFA official expressed gratitude, the report said, to FIFA for their full support and said: “We hope that the new centre, once completed, will bring qualitative changes to Oman football.”
The official added that OFA is planning for the growth and development of the game, intending to use the new funds effectively.
For the technical centre and accommodation project, an OFA official confirmed that it was almost ready, with 80 percent of the construction work completed.
The integrated facility, spread over 4,700 square meters at Seeb Stadium, will consist of 55 rooms, halls, a swimming pool, and other amenities.
On completion, the centre will provide accommodation for club and national team players, significantly reducing expenses and improving the quality of facilities and services.
A FIFA spokesperson also noted that the FIFA Forward Programme had made a record investment in football development globally.
The investment for the 2019-2022 cycle amounted to $5,266 million, and the upcoming 2023-2026 cycle will see a further investment of $2,250 million.
This represents a nearly seven-fold increase compared to pre-2016 development programmes and a 29 percent increase compared to Forward 2.0.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino also stressed on the importance of strengthening football’s foundation.
“Our revenues have not increased seven-fold; just that at the new FIFA since 2016, money goes where it has to go, and that is back into football,” he said.
The FIFA Forward Programme aims to support football development objectives, increase global competitiveness, and promote the participation of female players.
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