The Ministry of Education, through the Oman School Sports Association, recently organised the Unified Sports Day (Shwayat Riyada) for schools across the Sultanate of Oman, engaging more than 900,000 male and female students. This year’s event, which involved over 2,400 public and private schools, aimed to promote physical fitness, encourage sports participation, and raise awareness about the importance of regular exercise.

The event was attended by His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Khamis Ambusaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Education, at the Heritage District School in Nizwa, Dakhiliyah Governorate. The initiative, now in its third consecutive year, encourages students to embrace sports as part of their daily lives and contributes to improving overall health and fitness.

The day’s activities included a wide range of individual sports such as athletics, badminton, table tennis, chess, and cycling, as well as team sports like volleyball, basketball, football, and swimming. Popular games, including tug-of-war and group walking, added to the fun and lively atmosphere.

The Unified Sports Day, also known as ‘A Little Sport,’ was initially introduced by the Dhahirah Directorate before being expanded nationwide. The event’s objectives include fostering social harmony among students, teachers, and parents, promoting the values of citizenship and social responsibility, and reducing the negative impact of electronic games by encouraging outdoor physical activity.

Through such events, the Ministry of Education continues to inspire students and the wider community to lead healthier, more active lifestyles.