The Challenge 22 Roadshow began a three-day visit to Oman as the regional competition continued.
Initiated by the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), Silatech and Qatar National Research Fund, Challenge 22 is an innovation award that was born out of a desire to celebrate the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar as a regional event.
Ahead of four information sessions about the initiative, Fatma al-Nuaimi, Human and Social Legacy manager at SC, spoke about the successful visit to Saudi Arabia as the roadshow prepared for its latest stop in neighbouring Oman.
“We are very happy about the excitement we’ve seen from young innovators in Saudi Arabia, with hundreds of attendees per session, all of whom were very excited to take part. We are sure to see the same interest from Oman,” she said.
The Challenge 22 Roadshow continues with four sessions in Muscat, between Tawasul Global Connection Centre, Knowledge Oman and Sharakah.
“We are delighted to be here in Muscat and to work with our three partners on the information sessions. This is a great opportunity to reach out to the innovators and the brightest minds in the country to encourage them to apply,” al-Nuaimi added.
Challenge 22 ambassadors Mohamed Saeed Harib, founder of Lammatra Production and creator of Freej, Mohamed Saadon al-Kuwari, popular sports TV presenter, and Areej al-Kharafi, Kuwaiti entrepreneur, will continue their tour in the visit to Oman, to talk about their involvement with the initiative.
Reflecting on her experience on Challenge 22 so far, al-Kharafi said: “I am blown away by the amount of interest I’ve seen. I think what’s different about the initiative is that it’s an opportunity for people in the GCC to share their ideas. We’d like to encourage more people to attend and find out how they can be part of Challenge 22.”
Al-Kuwari added, “This initiative stays true to the promise that was made during Qatar’s bid for the World Cup that this will be a regional tournament, and we are eager to see regional submissions for this innovation award. This will prove a lasting legacy past 2022.”
Challenge 22 is seeking residents and applicants from the GCC, with solution-based proposals related to three key themes that address challenges faced by Qatar and the world when hosting major sports events.
The next stop of the roadshow will be in Bahrain for a two-day visit from February 11.