The management of SOHAR Port and Freezone usually measures its success in throughput tonnage, the number of ships visiting Port, or the statistics around so-called TEUs – the measurement for shipping containers. But this week, the region’s fastest growing Port and Freezone development added a new statistic to its on-going success story — the number of boots, football boots to be precise.

As in previous years, the 2016 SOHAR Port and Freezone Cup will take place during Ramadan. And this year’s tournament promises to be bigger and better than ever, with well over 400 participants divided among 32 participating teams, and over 60 matches scheduled over the next three weeks.

As well as sharing expertise across many areas of business, SOHAR Port and the Port of Rotterdam also share a common passion for football, a sport that like no other has the power to cross borders. SOHAR Port CEO, Andre Toet, and Freezone CEO, Jamal Aziz, were on hand to welcome the players to the first match on the Al Arabi football field, near Sallan roundabout in SOHAR, last night. The tournament was developed to celebrate teamwork and health during the holy month of Ramadan.

The teams come from SOHAR Port and Freezone tenant companies, as well as their contractors and subcontractors, and from the Port Authority itself. Last year’s Champions, Sohar Aluminum, are among the favourites for this year’s SOHAR Cup, with Oman International Container Terminal, part of Hong Kong’s Hutchison Whampoa group, also hotly tipped by insiders as favourites to take home the 2016 trophy. The players on the field last night were an eclectic mix of Omanis and expats from countries across the globe, including Brazil, China, Spain, and, of course, the Netherlands – a fascinating mix of international playing styles, you might otherwise find only in a major European competition.

SOHAR Port CEO, Andre Toet, praised the tournament: “There is no other game with the power to cross cultures and inspire passion, unite people and transcend social boundaries in the way that football can. Football teaches invaluable skills: teamwork, dedication and competition, all attributes which have helped us to build our business and sustain double-digit growth, right here in SOHAR.