Latest news with #WorldSailingInclusionChampionships
Observer
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Building Oman's sports economy from the ground up
In a recent article by Oman Observer about the Tejarah Talks podcast, Pankaj Khimji, Advisor for Foreign Trade & International Cooperation at MoCIIP, shared a thought that really stuck with me: 'Unless we develop our grassroots or sports culture, whether it's in schools, in the maydans, or on the beaches of Oman, unless we promote this in our families or schools, we're not going to be able to get into the real business of sports.' It's a powerful reminder. That quote—and the podcast episode as a whole—made me reflect on where we are as a country when it comes to sports. Yes, we're starting to attract major international events, but we must be equally ambitious in growing a culture of everyday sport and physical activity, especially for our children. In many ways, this reflects exactly what we try to do at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC). Of course, we're proud to host international competitions—whether it was the FIFA World Cup screenings in our gardens in 2022 or the World Veteran Table Tennis Championships in 2023. But just as important are the everyday experiences: each summer, we transform our exhibition halls into an indoor sports hub, offering people a fun and affordable space to stay active and beat the heat. Oman is naturally made for sports tourism. We've seen how our sister companies, like Oman Sail, are leading the way with events such as the upcoming World Sailing Inclusion Championships in 2025. But none of this happens in isolation. We need everyone—event organisers, schools, businesses, hospitality partners, and tourism boards—to come together to build something bigger. We're fortunate to have a landscape that many countries envy: dramatic mountains, open beaches, warm winds, and a year-round climate perfect for all kinds of activity. But to truly take advantage of this, we need to engage the most important player: our communities. Getting children into sport isn't just about fitness. It's about teamwork. It's about leadership. It's about learning to stay focused, persevere, and enjoy the journey. And ultimately, it's about making sport a bigger part of our national identity—an investment that also helps us attract global events. That's why initiatives like Sports Spark matter. If we want to see Omani athletes on international podiums—or see Oman feature more prominently on the global sports calendar—it all starts with access. It starts with a child picking up a racket or kicking a ball in a space that welcomes them. From July 18 to August 16, OCEC will once again open its doors for people to play, move, and connect—with summer camps for kids, corporate challenges, tournaments, and more. It's not just about putting on an event. It's about creating access, building habits, and helping people discover what sport can do for them—physically, mentally, and socially. So if you haven't looked into it yet, now's the time. You might just find that it changes more than your summer—it could change your daily routine.
Observer
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Pre-registration open for World Sailing Inclusion titles
MUSCAT: World Sailing is excited to announce that pre-registration is now open for the first World Sailing Inclusion Championships, taking place at the Mussanah Sailing School at the Barceló Mussanah Resort in the Sultanate of Oman from November 30 to December 8, 2025. Organised in partnership with Oman Sail, this groundbreaking event marks a major milestone for the sport — the first multi-class, global championship hosted by World Sailing that is designed specifically to include both Para classified athletes and athletes with disabilities who do not meet IPC classification criteria, all racing side by side in an inclusive, high-performance environment. The championship will feature competition across five categories, including the RS Venture Connect two-person keelboat, which is open to both Para-classified and inclusive category teams using servo control systems; the Hansa 303 single class, which welcomes sailors regardless of classification; the ILCA 6 class, designated for athletes with intellectual impairments and requiring Virtus, Special Olympics, or World Sailing II classification; the RS21 blind fleet racing class, open to visually impaired sailors classified as B1, B2, or B3; and Seated Wing Foiling, an exciting new discipline open to both Para MIC-classified and self-declared inclusive athletes. Interested sailors, teams and MNAs are invited to complete the pre-registration form to express interest. Dr Khamis al Jabri, CEO of Oman Sail Early pre-registration is strongly encouraged as entries will be limited per class, but sailors must note that pre-registration does not confirm entry due to the limited availability of charter equipment in each class and the rotational race formats detailed in the Notice of Race. Pre-registration will guide the organisers in the planning of equipment use, accommodation needs, classification logistics and the overall event structure. This is particularly important given the Notice of Race (NoR) and Sailing Instructions are available now on the World Sailing website and provide full details on eligibility, format, classification, equipment, and entry fees. Dr Khamis bin Salim al Jabri, CEO of Oman Sail, said: 'We are honoured to host the first World Sailing Inclusion Championships. This event is a powerful statement about the importance of inclusion — both in sport and in society. We look forward to welcoming sailors from around the world to Oman for what promises to be an unforgettable championship.' Hannah Stodel, Para World Sailing Manager, added: 'This first edition of such a landmark event promises to be an exciting opportunity to showcase the diversity of our sport. The Inclusion Championships are a celebration of what sailing can be — inclusive, dynamic, and welcoming to all. From grassroots participants to elite competitors, this is a chance to compete on equal terms.' A dedicated competition site has now launched, where you'll find more information on equipment, registration and media contacts. It will also host the confirmed entry list, results and all event updates in the lead-up to and during the championships. Read more about the World Sailing Inclusion Championships: sailing-inclusion-championships/
Observer
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Oman Sail to host inaugural World Sailing Inclusion event
MUSCAT: Oman Sail is incredibly proud to have been selected to host the first edition of the World Sailing Inclusion Championships. Due to be held from November 30 to December 8, 2025 at the Musannah Sailing School, with the official opening ceremony to be held on the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The event will champion the diverse community of sailors with disabilities and provide a unique platform for Para classified athletes to compete alongside other athletes with disabilities who do not classify under the IPC Classification code. Competition is due to be held in RS Venture Connect, RS21, Wingfoil and ILCA (Special Olympic) categories. Over 200 sailors from around the world are expected for the week-long regatta, as well as coaches and support staff who will be present in Al Musannah for the World Sailing Inclusive Development Programme (IDP) to be held over three days prior to the championship. The IDP will connect sailors with coaches and instructors from World Sailing to help develop national Para Inclusive sailing programmes and provide guidance for sailing coaches and the sailors themselves. Oman Sail to host inaugural World Sailing Inclusion event The event will also include a tourism day to share Oman's rich cultural heritage with visitors from around the world. Dr Khamis bin Salim al Jabri, CEO of Oman Sail, said, 'It is a great honour to host the first edition of such an important regatta. We are incredibly proud of our achievements in breaking down barriers in sailing, showcasing diversity within the sport, and supporting people with disabilities to live an active and fulfilling life on the water through our SailFree programmeme. Musannah has proven to be an excellent venue for sailing championships of all sizes, with world class facilities, accommodation and accessibility on-site, and we look forward to welcoming the world to Oman later this year and helping Para Inclusive Sailing to grow.' Jim Morris, World Sailing Director of Events, said, 'We are delighted to award the inaugural edition of the World Sailing Inclusion Championships to the Sultanate of Oman and Oman Sail. "The bid encapsulates the spirit of inclusive sailing with particular attention to the diversity of the sailing community and accessibility, as well as sustainability and long-term benefits for sailors within the region and across Asia. The Inclusive Development Programme, held before the championship begins, will also help to enhance the SailFree programme in Oman, and provide guidance for our members as they seek to develop similar programmes to grow the sport.' Dr Khamis bin Salim al Jabri Hannah Stodel, Para World Sailing Manager, added, 'The introduction of the World Sailing Inclusion Championships is an invaluable addition to the sailing calendar. As a dedicated Para Inclusive Sailing event we are showing that in this sport we are all in the same boat and can all compete at the highest levels. Musannah is an excellent host venue with world class facilities and an impressive history of hosting Para Sailing events. We look forward to developing a vitally important regatta for the sailing community and helping Para Inclusive Sailing to grow globally.' The Oman Sail Sailing School in Al Musannah has previously hosted the RS Venture Connect World Championships in 2022 and is home to the region's first sailing programme for people with disabilities, SailFree, run in partnership with bp Oman and the Oman Paralympic Association. The venue has also been designated a Category A High Performance Centre by the Asian Sailing Federation (ASAF).
Times of Oman
14-05-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Oman Sail chosen as hosts for the inaugural World Sailing Inclusion Championships
Muscat: Oman Sail is incredibly proud to have been selected to host the first edition of the World Sailing Inclusion Championships. Due to be held from 30 November to 8 December 2025 at the Mussanah Sailing School, with the official opening ceremony to be held on the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The event will champion the diverse community of sailors with disabilities and provide a unique platform for Para classified athletes to compete alongside other athletes with disabilities who do not classify under the IPC Classification code. Competition is due to be held in RS Venture Connect, RS21, Wingfoil and ILCA (Special Olympic) categories. Over 200 sailors from around the world are expected for the week-long regatta, as well as coaches and support staff who will be present in Mussanah for the World Sailing Inclusive Development Programme (IDP) to be held over three days prior to the championship. The IDP will connect sailors with coaches and instructors from World Sailing to help develop national Para Inclusive sailing programmes and provide guidance for sailing coaches and the sailors themselves. The event will also include a tourism day to share Oman's rich cultural heritage with visitors from around the world. Dr Khamis Al Jabri, CEO of Oman Sail, said, 'It is a great honour to host the first edition of such an important regatta. We are incredibly proud of our achievements in breaking down barriers in sailing, showcasing diversity within the sport, and supporting people with disabilities to live an active and fulfilling life on the water through our SailFree programmeme. Mussanah has proven to be an excellent venue for sailing championships of all sizes, with world class facilities, accommodation and accessibility on-site, and we look forward to welcoming the world to Oman later this year and helping Para Inclusive Sailing to grow.' Jim Morris, World Sailing Director of Events, said, 'We are delighted to award the inaugural edition of the World Sailing Inclusion Championships to the Sultanate of Oman and Oman Sail. The bid encapsulates the spirit of inclusive sailing with particular attention to the diversity of the sailing community and accessibility, as well as sustainability and long-term benefits for sailors within the region and across Asia. The Inclusive Development Programmeme, held before the championship begins, will also help to enhance the SailFree programme in Oman, and provide guidance for our members as they seek to develop similar programmes to grow the sport.' Hannah Stodel, Para World Sailing Manager, added, 'The introduction of the World Sailing Inclusion Championships is an invaluable addition to the sailing calendar. As a dedicated Para Inclusive Sailing event we are showing that in this sport we are all in the same boat and can all compete at the highest levels. Mussanah is an excellent host venue with world class facilities and an impressive history of hosting Para Sailing events. We look forward to developing a vitally important regatta for the sailing community and helping Para Inclusive Sailing to grow globally.' The Oman Sail Sailing School in Mussanah has previously hosted the RS Venture Connect World Championships in 2022 and is home to the region's first sailing programme for people with disabilities, SailFree, run in partnership with bp Oman and the Oman Paralympic Association. The venue has also been designated a Category A High Performance Centre by the Asian Sailing Federation (ASAF).
