MUSANNAH: Barcelo Mussanah Resort hosted the official opening ceremony of the 2025 World Sailing Inclusion Championships on Wednesday evening, marking the start of the inaugural edition of this global event dedicated to sailors with disabilities. Organised for the first time worldwide by Oman Sail, the championship welcomes 155 sailors from 37 countries, with competitions running until December 8.
The ceremony was held under the auspices of HH Sayyid Azan bin Qais al Said, Chairman of the Oman Olympic Committee (OOC), in the presence of dignitaries and senior guests, including Professor Dr Abdullah bin Khamis Ambusaidi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Education for Education, and Chairman of the Oman School Sports Association (OSSA), and OOC Vice-Chairman; Dr Khamis bin Salim al Jabri, CEO of Oman Sail; as well as representatives of regional and international federations.
The ceremony witnessed the official raising of the championship flag by the guest of honour, accompanied by Dr Khamis al Jabri, marking the official launch of the event. David Graham, CEO of World Sailing, then proclaimed the opening of the championship in a formal address that signalled the start of the competitions. This took place amid a vibrant celebratory atmosphere featuring a parade of the participating nations’ flags and a visual presentation that highlighted the values of unity and inclusivity that define this inaugural edition.
During the ceremony, Dr Khamis bin Salim al Jabri, CEO of Oman Sail, delivered a welcoming speech, saying: “It is an honour to gather today for an exceptional moment defined by inspiration and determination, as we celebrate the launch of the first-ever World Sailing Inclusion Championships, hosted by the Sultanate of Oman in conjunction with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This global event reflects the highest values of empowerment and equality, and highlights Oman’s civilisational message of using sport as a bridge for communication, peace, and opportunity for all.”
He added: “Since launching the SailFree programme in 2019, we have believed that the sea is wide enough for everyone, and that the sail of hope carries those who possess the will. Today, this initiative becomes an Omani success story crowned by hosting this historic championship.”
Dr Al Jabri expressed appreciation for the support of governmental and private partners — including the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MoCSY); the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MoHT); the Office of the Governor of Al Batinah South; World Sailing; and key supporting organisations such as Al Amal Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation Centre, the Royal Navy of Oman’s Medical Services, the Royal Oman Police (ROP), the OSSA, and the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD) — whose efforts helped transform ambition into an achievement befitting Oman’s stature.
David Graham stated: “This is the very first edition of the World Sailing Inclusion Championships, and what a wonderful place to host the inaugural one. In the sunshine, with warm water and a racecourse just outside the marina, the mountains as a backdrop - cultures and rituals that go back centuries; but the most wonderful thing here is the people, the warm, happy generous and very hospitable Oman people, thank you Oman for making us feel so welcome."
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 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 and Zaher al Atbi and Adel al Siyabi and 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 Qartoobi will compete alongside 35 athletes from around the world.
The championship brings together a diverse group of nations from across Asia, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq, India, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Chinese Taipei, Timor-Leste, Indonesia and host nation Oman. From Europe, represented by Austria, the Czech Republic, Spain, France, the UK, Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Switzerland, and Sweden; the Americas, represented by Canada, the USA, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Bolivia, Uruguay, and Trinidad and Tobago; and Oceania, represented by Australia.
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