Oman set to host the largest sailing event for persons with disabilities

The Wilayat of Mussanah is set to host on 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 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. The official race will begin on December 4.

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  (November 30– 2 December 2), 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.”

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.