Muscat – Nurturing the Omani citizen is the cornerstone of comprehensive and sustainable development, according to H E Sayyid Saud bin Hilal Al Busaidi, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth.

Speaking ahead of the launch of the third Military Discipline Programme, which will run from July 25 to August 19, H E Al Busaidi said the initiative reflects the ministry’s commitment to investing in young people through a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Education.

He said the programme aims to strengthen the values of loyalty, belonging and national responsibility, in line with the objectives of  Vision 2040 in promoting citizenship, national identity and youth capacity development.

The minister said this year’s edition has been significantly expanded to accommodate 1,000 students from all governorates of the sultanate, enabling a wider segment of young people to benefit from its activities while promoting equal opportunities and bringing together national talent under a unified framework.

He added that the programme offers an integrated curriculum combining military training, sports activities and educational programmes designed to develop students’ character, enhance discipline, encourage a spirit of service and strengthen their sense of responsibility.

H E Al Busaidi said the programme also places special emphasis on intellectual awareness and moral values by reinforcing the principles of the Omani character as one of its strategic pillars. It will include lectures and interactive sessions aimed at enhancing security awareness and future planning, helping prepare a generation that is proud of its national identity and equipped to lead the future.