Latest news with #SailFree
Times of Oman
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Times of Oman
Oman's SailFree Para Sailing Team Triumphs at Hansa UK National Championship
Muscat: Oman Sail's SailFree national para sailing team, which comes as part of the SailFreeprogramme, in partnership with bp Oman, has achieved remarkable success at the Hansa UK National Championship in Weymouth, securing 2nd and 3rd placements on the podium against international competition. The SailFree squad demonstrated exceptional skill with Ali Said Al Ghusaini and Sami Salim Al Sulaimi claiming second place, while Hasan Haidar Al Lawati and Adil Salim Al Siyabi earned third place honors. Four Omani crews participated in the event, including Sultan Mohammed Al Wahaibi, AlMuthana Hamed Al Maamari, Zaher Khalfan Al Atbi, and Raiyan Abdullah Al Mujaini, showcasing the nation's growing para sailing talent. The team was led by Nasser Salim Al Maashari, with coaching support from Haitham Saif Al Wahaibi and Akram Adaiyam Al Wahaibi. Khamis Al Anbori, Acting Commercial Director of Oman Sail commented: "This outstanding performance reflects the dedication of our sailors and the strength of our development programme. These athletes continue to prove that sailing is a sport for all, and we're proud to see them representing Oman on the international stage." Ibrahim Al Hinai, Social investment manager at bp Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar further commented: 'The team's success follows the recent launch of SailFree's second edition this year, which continues the programme's pioneering role as the Middle East's first para sailing initiative. The programme was first established in 2019 and since thenSailFree has become a regional model for inclusive sports development, having already introduced over 200 athletes with disabilities to competitive sailing. It is worth noting that the SailFree team will compete in several major events including the Oman Sailing Championship, Mussanah Race Weekand the inaugural World Sailing Inclusion Championships. Full results are available at:
Observer
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Oman Sail, bp Oman launch SailFree programme
MUSCAT: Oman Sail in partnership with bp Oman have launched the second edition of SailFree, the region's first para sailing programme designed to empower people with disabilities through the sport of sailing. The programme will be delivered in three phases to support 100 young people with disabilities at Oman Sail's Mussanah Sailing School and Al Mouj Sailing School, with 20 advancing to form the 15-18 national youth sailing team. Khamis al Anbouri, Oman Sail's Acting Commercial Director, said, 'We are very pleased to renew SailFree for a second edition and provide more opportunities for young people with disabilities. The programme has proven that sailing can have a long-term positive impact on the lives of people with disabilities and unlock valuable life skills through learning, teamwork and participation. We are looking forward to introducing 100 young people to the sport and showing that sailing is a sport for all.' Ibrahim al Hinai, Social investment manager at bp Oman, Kuwait and Qatar, commented: 'The achievements of the SailFree programme is remarkable, whereby the first edition of this programme, launched in 2019, benefitted 110 people with disabilities and formed the first parasailing national team consisting of 25 exceptional members that competed in approximately 10 international and local competitions representing Oman. We are incredibly proud to continue investing in the community by supporting such a valuable initiative.' SailFree has provided the framework for people with no prior sailing experience to learn, develop and compete internationally and the SailFree team is currently in training ahead of regattas at home and abroad. Beginning with the UK Hansa Class Championship from June 13-15 in Weymouth, UK, then returning to Oman for the Oman Sailing Championship from August 17-21 and Mussanah Race Week from October 16-22.
Times of Oman
02-06-2025
- General
- Times of Oman
Oman Sail and bp Oman launch second edition of SailFree programme
Muscat: Oman Sail in partnership with bp Oman have launched the second edition of SailFree, the region's first para sailing programme designed to empower people with disabilities through the sport of sailing. The programme will be delivered in three phases to support 100 young people with disabilities at Oman Sail's Mussanah Sailing School and Al Mouj Sailing School, with 20 advancing to form the 15-18 national youth sailing team. Khamis Al Anbouri, Oman Sail's Acting Commercial Director, said, 'We are very pleased to renew SailFree for a second edition and provide more opportunities for young people with disabilities. The programme has proven that sailing can have a long-term positive impact on the lives of people with disabilities and unlock valuable life skills through learning, teamwork and participation. We are looking forward to introducing 100 young people to the sport and showing that sailing is a sport for all.' Ibrahim Al Hinai, Social investment manager at bp Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar, commented: 'The achievements of the SailFree programme is remarkable, whereby the first edition of this programme, launched in 2019, benefitted 110 people with disabilities and formed the first parasailing national team consisting of 25 exceptional members that competed in approximately 10 international and local competitions representing Oman. We are incredibly proud to continue investing in the community by supporting such a valuable initiative.' SailFree has provided the framework for people with no prior sailing experience to learn, develop and compete internationally and the SailFree team is currently in training ahead of regattas at home and abroad. Beginning with the UK Hansa Class Championship from 13-15 June in Weymouth, UK, then returning to Oman for the Oman Sailing Championship from 17-21 August and Mussanah Race Week from 16-22 October.
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).
