Omran, the leading tourism-related investment, development and management company, began the formal handover of the site for the Asian Beach Games to the Muscat Asian Beach Games Organising Committee (Mabgoc).

The first building to be delivered is the Games Command Centre, from which Mabgoc will manage the event in December, said a top Omran official.

Nasser Al Maqbali, VP Construction, Omran, handed over the Games Command Centre keys to Hilal bin Ali Al Sinani, deputy director general of operations, Mabgoc at a ceremony held in the presence of Omran and Mabgoc officials.

The ceremony marked the first stage in a phased programme, which will see the whole site handed over by November 2010.

The Games Command Centre is a two-storey building which will house the MABGOC Operations Centre on the top floor, the Information Technology Control Centre on the first floor and the International Broadcast Centre on the ground floor.

The Centre is located close to the shore, near many of the venues for events at the Games.

Wael Al Lawati, CEO of Omran said, 'I am proud to announce this magnificent milestone. We will continue with our commitment to fully handing over the site to the Muscat Asian Beach Games Organising Committee by November, ahead of the Games.'

'This has been a very challenging project. Only two years ago, this site was completely untouched. I would like to congratulate Omran staff and our partners for their dedication and determination in delivering the Games Command Centre on schedule,' he remarked.

“Omran has been trusted to develop this crucial project, which represents a significant and exciting opportunity for Oman. We will deliver it not only on time but also according to the highest standards,” he added.

Earlier this month Omran announced that work on the Asian Beach Games Site had passed the milestone of 92.43 per cent completion, as the project remains well on track for its November final handover.

Platform construction, marine works and the marina pontoon and access bridge have all been fully completed, with infrastructure (98.13 per cent) and permanent structures (93.14 per cent) almost finished.

This will be the second Asian Beach Games, following the inaugural event in Bali in 2008, with an estimated 5,000 athletes, officials, media and volunteers from 45 counties expected to participate.

The Asian Beach Games were established by the Olympic Council of Asia, and are held every two years.  The overarching aim is to strengthen relations and understanding between participating Asian nations in a friendly competitive environment.

Following the Games, Omran will utilise the site, to create a mixed-use residential, commercial and tourism destination.-TradeArabia News Service