SailFree
Team to Represent Oman at World Sailing Inclusion Championship 2026 in Portugal

Muscat,
29 Sep 2026 (ONA) — Sailors from Oman Sail’s SailFree programme are preparing
to head to Portimão, Portugal, for the second World Sailing Inclusion
Championship 2026, taking place from 30 September to 11 October 2026.

The
championship represents another milestone for the SailFree team, which is part of
a programme run between Oman Sail and bp Oman, after competing last year at the
inaugural edition in Mussanah by offering the sailors an invaluable opportunity
to gain international competitive experience at the highest level, refine their
technical abilities and proudly represent the Sultanate of Oman on the
international stage.

The
delegation travelling to Portugal includes a dedicated group of athletes,
technical staff, and support team.

Nawaf
Al Ghadani, Team Leader, said, “Representing Oman at an event as influential
as the World Sailing Inclusion Championships is an immense honour for our
entire team. Our sailors have worked tirelessly to reach this standard,
demonstrating incredible dedication and progress throughout our training
sessions. Competing against world-class athletes in Portimão will test their
skills, build confidence, and showcase the incredible strides Oman is making in
adaptive and inclusive sports.”

Haitham
Al Wahaibi, Coach, added, “This championship is a crucial stepping stone
in the personal and professional development of our squad. Beyond the technical
challenges of competing in international waters, the event reinforces our
ultimate goal of building a clear, sustainable pathway from foundational
training to elite, high-performance competition. We are confident that our
sailors will gain vital experience, perform to the best of their abilities, and
return home with broader horizons and enhanced capabilities.”

Participating
in top-tier international regattas directly aligns with the overarching
objectives of Oman Sail and bp Oman for SailFree by creating structured
pathways for persons with disabilities to progress from introductory sailing to
advanced competition, while raising awareness of adaptive sports and fostering
equal opportunity within the community for people of all abilities to take an
active role in society.

—Ends/AG