Bank Muscat, Visa Join Hands to Showcase Crowning Glory of World 16-8

Football enthusiasts in Oman revelled in the aura of the crowning glory of world football as Bank SICO, in association with Visa, showcased the 2014 FIFA World Cup Winner’s Trophy at the bank’s iconic head office on Thursday 4 April 2013. His Highness Sayyid Fatik bin Fahar Al Said, Secretary-General at the Ministry of Heritage and Culture, unveiled the most coveted trophy at the grand celebration, in the presence of Shaikh Khalid bin Mustahail Al Mashani, Chairman of Bank SICO, Felipe Burgaz, Head of Marketing – Visa India, South Asia and MENA, dignitaries, prominent citizens and football officiandos.

Excitement ran high at the fully charged-up event associated with the world’s singular sporting achievement as invitees took turns to view at close quarters the 2014 FIFA World Cup Winner’s Trophy. A steady stream of invitees turned up throughout the day-long event to savour the lifetime opportunity. During the event, the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ Winner’s Trophy was displayed on a podium offering all guests a special opportunity to have commemorative photographs taken with the world’s most recognised sports trophy.

His Highness Sayyid Fatik bin Fahar Al Said congratulated Bank SICO and Visa for joining hands to bring the 2014 FIFA World Cup Winner’s Trophy to Oman. “We are privileged to enjoy this rare occasion and draw inspiration from the prized possession of world football. We thank Bank SICO and Visa for facilitating this rare opportunity to bask in the aura and glory of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Winner’s Trophy. This will surely motivate our national team to go the extra mile to wrest a place in the 2014 FIFA World Cup championship in Brazil.”

Shaikh Khalid bin Mustahail Al Mashani said: “Bank SICO is a committed partner and supporter of all major national sporting initiatives, especially football. This is indeed a very special and important occasion for all football enthusiasts in Oman. The passion for football, which runs in the blood of Omanis, could not have been more evident than in the rousing welcome given to the FIFA World Cup Trophy. We thank FIFA and Visa for their efforts in creating this opportunity for football lovers in Oman to draw inspiration from the 2014 FIFA World Cup Winner’s Trophy to demonstrate sporting excellence in football.”

Felipe Burgaz said: “The FIFA World Cup™ is one of the most-watched sporting events on earth. Visa’s partnership with FIFA offers a global platform to reinforce and strengthen our commitment towards sports. FIFA events and other assets provide our cardholders with memorable and valuable rewards in addition to the security and convenience of using their Visa cards.”

AbdulRazak Ali Issa, Chief Executive of Bank SICO, said: “The bank is proud to lead by example, not only in the field of banking and finance but also in all arenas of national importance. The hosting of 2014 FIFA World Cup Winner’s Trophy stems from this commitment to offer the most fulfilling experience for the largest banking family in Oman. The bank was the first private sector institution to announce incentives for the national team playing in the Asian qualifiers for 2014 FIFA World Cup™. The Asian qualifier games have been a major draw for the Sultanate and we are optimistic to keep our hopes alive for a berth in the FIFA World Cup. Notably, the bank has launched a unique Green Sports CSR initiative to green the playing fields across Oman to develop a nation excelling in sports, especially football.”

Felipe Burgaz added: “By bringing the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ Winner’s Trophy to Oman and other parts of the GCC, Visa brings football fans in the GCC unprecedented benefits through its proud sponsorship with FIFA. Providing accountholders with exclusive access to these exciting opportunities and offers will help cardholders enjoy and connect with the Middle East’s most beloved sport.

The joy, zeal and enthusiasm punctuating the celebrations were no doubt an affirmation that the 2014 FIFA World Cup Winner’s Trophy event in Oman has fuelled the passion for football as the country is poised to script a lasting legacy of sporting excellence in football.