Muscat – The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MCSY) has announced the launch of the second edition of its awards programme that recognises children and individuals promoting cultural awareness among children.

The award comprises two competitions: ‘Oman Speaks’ and ‘Speak So I Can See You’.

Huda Said al Riyamiya, Director of the Department of Cultural Activities at MCSY, highlighted the award’s objective of enhancing children’s cultural and literary skills, particularly in speaking.

“This initiative aims to encourage Omani writers to enrich children’s literature with values that promote loyalty and a strong connection to Oman’s cultural heritage,” she explained.

The ‘Oman Speaks’ competition will be focused on marine heritage and the marine environment, based on recommendations from the judges’ committees.

Participants must be Omani or Arab writers residing in Oman, and their short stories should cater to children aged 6-10.

Stories should revolve around Oman’s marine environment and maritime heritage. Writers can explore topics such as marine museums, sea turtles, whale and dolphin conservation, marine reserves, coral reefs, sustainable tourism, and ancient trade routes.

The ‘Speak So I Can See You’ competition provides a platform for exceptionally talented children to showcase their speaking skills. Participants will create a video of 2 to 4 minutes, delivered in classical Arabic or the local dialect. Each contestant will select a topic from a predefined list and present their thoughts on it.

The competition aims to nurture children’s social communication skills, enabling them to articulate their ideas confidently in public.

It also seeks to groom them as purposeful content creators for the future.

Through this platform, young speakers can hone their communication skills, express themselves authentically, and captivate audiences with their words.