155 Participants from 37 Nations Gather for the World’s Largest Sailing Championship for Persons with Disabilities

Manal Saleh

Official Opening Ceremony Tomorrow Under the Patronage of H.H. Sayyid Azzan bin Qais Al Said

Mussanah, 2 December 2025 – The Wilayat of Mussanah is set to host tomorrow (Wednesday) the world’s largest and most significant sailing championship dedicated to persons with disabilities, as the inaugural 2025 World Sailing Inclusion Championships officially opens at the Mussanah Sailing School, Barceló Mussanah Resort. The ceremony will be held under the patronage of H.H. Sayyid Azzan bin Qais Al Said, President of the Oman Olympic Committee, in the presence of senior officials, sports leaders and participating delegations, and coincides with the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

This inaugural edition marks the biggest participation ever recorded in a sailing event for persons with disabilities, bringing together 155 sailors from 37 nations. The unprecedented turnout reflects the rapid global growth of inclusive sailing and reinforces the Sultanate of Oman’s standing as a leading host of major international sporting events.

The championship will feature competitions in four boat classes: the one-person Hansa 303 and two-person RS Venture Connect, plus ILCA 6s for intellectually impaired athletes, and FarEast 28Rs for visually impaired athletes.

Oman will be represented by seven sailors from Oman Sail’s SailFree programme, run in collaboration with bp Oman and the Oman Paralympic Association. In the RS Venture event, the teams of Hassan Al Lawati & Zaher Al Atbi and Adel Al Siyabi & Al Ghaliya Al Jabri will join 28 other teams in a fleet racing format competition. In the One-Person Inclusive category, using a fleet of Hansa 303 boats, Omani sailors Ali Al Ghusaini, Sultan Al Wahaibi, and Malik Al Qurtubi will compete alongside 35 athletes from around the world.

Over the past three days, World Sailing organised a dedicated Emerging Nations Programme (30 November – 2 December), designed to enhance coaching capabilities, improve sailors’ technical skills and support countries in developing national inclusive sailing structures. The programme combined theory and practical workshops, reflecting growing global commitment to advancing Para and inclusive sailing.

Hannah Stodel, World Sailing’s Para Sailing Manager, expressed her delight at the launch of the championship, saying: “This inaugural edition represents a historic milestone for inclusive sailing and reinforces the message that sailing is a sport for everyone. The enthusiasm from sailors worldwide has been remarkable. The training programme also highlighted the promising potential of emerging nations, and it will undoubtedly contribute to the long-term growth of inclusive sailing globally.”

Maryam Al Jadidi, Senior Project Manager at Oman Sail and the event project manager, emphasized the national significance of the event, stating: “We are fully prepared to launch this historic championship, which carries a powerful human message of empowerment and inclusion. Our teams have worked tirelessly over recent months to ensure the highest organisational and technical standards. We aim to deliver an exceptional experience for all delegations, blending fair competition, cultural exchange and showcasing Oman’s outstanding tourism attractions.”

Alongside the racing, a series of cultural and tourism activities will be offered. International delegations will enjoy curated excursions showcasing Oman’s natural and heritage treasures across Muscat, the Damaniyat Islands, Rustaq and Nizwa—providing athletes with a rich cultural experience in addition to competition.

A Race Village will also be inaugurated, featuring local businesses, SMEs and homegrown crafts that celebrate Omani heritage. This initiative supports the local community while strengthening the connection between sports, tourism and the economy in line with Oman Vision 2040.

Official racing begins on 4 December and continues until 8 December, followed by the Closing Ceremony and awards presentation under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Laila Ahmed Al Najjar, Minister of Social Development, marking the conclusion of a week filled with sporting excellence and inspiring human stories.

The championships are powered by Oman Sail and Oman Maritime Sports Committee and supported by World Sailing’s global partners Musto and Kuehne+Nagel; Strategic Partners the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, Experience Oman, and the Al Batinah South Governorate; and Bronze Partners Barceló Mussanah Resort, OXY Oman, Visit Oman, Tanuf, and Mazoon Dairy.

Mussanah Sailing School previously hosted the 2022 RS Venture Connect World Championship, the first dedicated Para sailing event in Oman, and is officially accredited as a Category A High-Performance Centre by the Asian Sailing Federation—affirming its readiness to host world-class events.

Read more about the World Sailing Inclusion Championships here. 

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About Oman Sail:

Operating under Oman Tourism Development Company, Oman Sail is tasked with rekindling the country’s maritime eminence, promote the Sultanate around the world through sailing, contribute to the sustainable prosperity of the nation and provide long-term learning opportunities for the youth. Since 2008, Oman Sail has built a solid foundation around Sailing, Tourism, Commerce, Health and Environment, all underpinned with competency-based development for its workforce. Committed to offering both men and women equal opportunities to learn, Oman Sail’s programmes focus on nurturing young talent to develop the sailing champions of tomorrow, increasing revenue in the tourism, activity and experiential learning markets and gaining prominent international exposure for the country. The company has a strong track record in delivering a portfolio of events across the Sultanate to showcase Oman’s natural beauty, tourism potential, the people’s hospitality, and the infrastructure readiness for business opportunities. More information can be found on www.omansail.om