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- MUSCAT: In their constant readiness to support the athletic achievements of Muscat, Muriya was proud to sponsor and host a rugby competition on April 14th, 2011 at the Rugby Club. The event, under the title "Muriya Muscat RFC Touch Rugby World Cup," brought together eight participating teams, and brings to light the important value of healthy athletic competition.
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- Founded in 1971, Muscat RFC played the championship annually until it lapsed a few years, however this championship was reinstated to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Muscat RFC, and revitalize the rugby spirit among our youth. Rugby has been played regularly in Muscat since the birth of this championship, and the Muscat RFC supports these initiatives. An ongoing example of the vitality of the sport lays in the youth initiative (under 18) reorganized in 2010. There are now over 150 boys and girls participating from 28 different countries and diversified among 13 different schools, all playing rugby weekly.
- Muriya and Muscat RFC hope to build on the success and add to the athletic activities by expanding and increasing playing numbers further. Further initiatives include partnering with organizations that support worthwhile charitable values such as the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal. Rugby for the age group of above 35 has also been successfully reinstated in addition to a Veterans team, which participated in the Dubai 7's in 2010 for the first time since 2003.
- "The Touch Tournament, sponsored by Muriya, was a great success," says President of the Rugby Club John Passmore, "Eight teams provided some very skilful rugby and as Touch rugby is very much a sport for all, it was excellent to see children playing and girls getting involved as well. Many parents have come back and said how much their whole families enjoyed the day. It helps fulfill Muscat Rugby club's objective of being community based and inclusive for all nationalities. It will serve as a springboard for other rugby related activities we plan in our 40th anniversary year."
- The one-day event included a ceremonial passing out of the trophy and medals for the winners of the competition, including a trophy for the Winners of the Plate competition. But Muriya and Muscat RFC look beyond this one-day, and hope to raise awareness of rugby as a sport within the Muscat community by making it more accessible to all age groups, male and female, and to all nationalities. The immediate spin-off is to have Touch and Curry on Wednesday nights at Muscat RFC, and to initiate a Corporate Touch Rugby Tournament later in the year, in addition to introducing Beach Rugby in the coming summer months.
- Muriya is a constant supporter of the athletic departments, exemplified by its prize giving ceremony to the best football players of the Gulf Cup 19 in Muscat. Baha Hafzalla, the Marketing Director of Muriya states, "At Muriya we understand the value of supporting our athletic drives. It is essential to support our local talents and sports, and we hope and plan to continuously excel in this rising field in Oman."
- Further events to celebrate and honor the 40th anniversary are planned, including celebratory games with Doha RFC and Bahrain RFC, in addition to the Oval Ball on the 2nd of June. Muriya was established in 2006, when Egypt's Orascom Hotels and Development (with 70% stake) and Omani government owned Omran (with 30% stake) came together in a joint venture. Since then, Muriya has announced ambitious projects in stunning localities around Oman. Two of the on-going projects are integrated tourism complexes (ITCs) offering freehold properties - 'Jebel Sifah', 'Salalah Beach', 'Al Sodah Island' and 'City Walk'.
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