Oman sailing squad to undergo intense camp in Japan ahead of Asian Games

MUSCAT, SEPT 16
Oman Sail’s preparations for the 2026 Asian Games are entering a decisive phase, with the national sailing team travelling to Japan for an intensive eight-day training camp designed not only to sharpen its competitive readiness but also to accelerate the development of a new generation of Omani sailors.
The four-member squad will train in Japan from September 16 to 24 ahead of the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, where Oman will be represented in the 49er and 29er classes under the umbrella of the Oman Olympic Committee.
The team comprises the established 49er pairing of Ahmed bin Ghareeb al Hasani and Waleed bin Issa al Kindi, together with the emerging 29er duo of Feras bin Haitham al Nabhani and Tamim bin Sulieman al Balushi. The squad will be led by Head Coach Performance and Team Lead Hashim bin Hamad al Rashdi, with 29er Team Coach Fabrice Jaunet also joining the camp.
The Japanese camp represents an important stage in Oman Sail’s broader pathway from youth development to high-performance sailing, while also providing the team with an opportunity to gain experience ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Abdulaziz bin Salim al Shidi, Acting Sailing Director at Oman Sail, said developing a structured pathway for Omani sailors has remained central to the organisation’s work.
“Developing a clear, structured sailing pathway has been at the very core of Oman Sail’s mission since our inception. Our focus is on nurturing young Omani talent from grassroots youth programmes, which offer equal opportunities to learn and excel, and systematically guiding them through each stage of competitive growth into high-performance sailors,” Al Shidi said.
“Seeing our emerging 29er sailors, Feras al Nabhani and Tamim al Balushi, step up alongside our established 49er duo, Ahmed al Hasani and Waleed al Kindi, demonstrates the true strength and success of this pathway.”
Al Shidi added that competing at the Asian Games represents a significant moment for Oman Sail and its athletes.
“Representing the Oman National Sailing Team under the umbrella of the Oman Olympic Committee at a major continental event like the Asian Games is a moment of immense pride for all of us. It reflects not only the years of hard work, discipline, and dedication shown by our sailors and coaching staff, but also our ongoing commitment to rekindling Oman’s maritime heritage and showcasing our sporting excellence on the global stage,” he said.
“As the team embarks on this crucial training camp in Japan, we are confident in their preparation and know they will represent the nation with determination and pride. The LA28 Olympic Games are less than two years away now and every regatta until the qualification event is a chance to gain more experience, tactical and technical knowhow and improve to be in position to achieve this goal and be at the start line in Los Angeles.”
For Al Rashdi, the Japan camp will provide the final opportunity to refine the team’s preparations before the Asian Games competition begins.
“This overseas training block in Japan is a pivotal component of our Asian Games strategy. Under the umbrella of the Oman Olympic Committee and with the valuable backing of EL B&T company, our goal is to acclimatise quickly to local water conditions and refine race tactics,” Al Rashdi said.
“Both our 49er and 29er teams have shown great discipline throughout summer training, and this final camp will sharpen our tactical sharpness right before the Games begin.”
The 49er pairing will use the camp to further develop its understanding and boat speed. Waleed al Kindi said training in Japanese waters would provide valuable race-specific experience.
“Representing our nation at the Asian Games under the Oman Olympic Committee is an incredible honour. Ahmed and I have been putting in continuous work to build a solid understanding and maximise our boat speed in the 49er,” he said.
“Training on Japanese waters alongside Coach Fabrice and the 29er team gives us the ideal environment to fine-tune our starting lines and boat handling under match-like conditions.”
PROGRESSIVE STEP
For the younger 29er sailors, the camp is another step in their progression towards the senior level.
“Stepping up to represent Oman on the continental stage is a huge milestone for us. Feras and I are eager to make the most of every hour on the water during this training camp in Japan,” Tamim al Balushi said.
“Having the guidance of Coach Fabrice Jaunet and Hashim Al Rashdi, combined with the support of everyone at home, gives us absolute confidence to push our limits.”
The camp will focus on assessing local wind patterns, high-speed skiff tuning and competitive starting routines. Following the preparation period, the sailors will move into the Asian Games regatta venue in Gamagori to continue their final preparations.
The team’s Asian Games campaign is supported by Gold Partner EL B&T, whose Group Chairman Dr John (Young Ill) Kim expressed the company’s pride in supporting the Omani sailors.
“We are honoured to support Oman’s talented national sailors as they prepare for the 2026 Asian Games. ELB&T takes immense pride in backing these exceptional athletes, whose dedication and drive inspire us all,” Kim said.
“We wish the entire team the very best of success as they represent Oman with excellence and determination, and I extend my warmest support and best wishes to the team as they compete at the Asian Games.”
With established athletes competing alongside emerging talent, the Japan camp marks another stage in Oman Sail’s long-term development programme, linking the immediate Asian Games challenge with the wider ambition of preparing Omani sailors for future Olympic qualification.