MUSCAT: Oman Sail’s SailFree Programme is entering a new phase, with a stronger focus on developing the technical and personal abilities of persons with disabilities and transforming sailing from an accessible sporting activity into a structured pathway towards competition and international representation.
The launch of the third edition of the programme, supported by bp Oman, reflects an approach that goes beyond introducing participants to the basics of sailing. The programme is designed to provide progressive training that enables participants to develop advanced sailing skills while building confidence, independence, teamwork and leadership abilities.
Since its launch in 2019, SailFree has introduced hundreds of people with physical impairments to sailing and helped establish a model that combines sporting development with social inclusion. The third edition places greater emphasis on giving participants the opportunity to progress from introductory sessions to more advanced levels of training and competition.
The development of this pathway highlights the wider role sport can play in creating equal opportunities for persons with disabilities. Rather than focusing solely on participation, the programme aims to provide an environment where participants can demonstrate their abilities, develop new skills and pursue sporting opportunities at regional and international level.
Khamis al Anbouri, Acting Commercial Director of Oman Sail, said the continuation of the programme reflected its success in breaking down barriers and creating meaningful opportunities for participants, while the new phase would place greater emphasis on technical development as well as confidence and independence.
He said the programme was not only about developing athletes capable of competing at a higher level, but also about supporting a more inclusive society in which sailing is accessible to everyone. A safe and adaptive environment allows participants to discover their abilities and develop them through structured training.
bp Oman said its continued support for SailFree was aligned with its commitment to social investment and sustainable community development. The company noted the programme’s role in empowering participants and promoting greater social inclusion through sport.
SailFree has developed into one of the region’s notable para sailing initiatives, gradually evolving from an introduction to the sport into a structured pathway for athletic development. This progress was highlighted when Oman Sail hosted the inaugural World Sailing Inclusion Championships at Musannah Sailing School in 2025.
The event brought the SailFree team together with more than 100 sailors from around the world, providing many participants with an opportunity to compete internationally for the first time.
The latest phase of SailFree builds on that experience by placing greater emphasis on preparing participants for competition and expanding the opportunities available to them. The programme aims to strengthen the presence of inclusive sailing in Oman while creating a pathway for more athletes with disabilities to reach higher levels of sporting achievement.
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