Oman
to Host World Sailing Inclusion Championships 2025

Muscat,
14 May (ONA) — The Sultanate of Oman, represented by Oman Sail has been
selected to host the first edition of the World Sailing Inclusion
Championships, due to be held from 30 November to 8 December 2025 at the
Mussanah Sailing School.

The
official opening ceremony will coincide with marking the United Nations
International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

The
event will champion the diverse community of sailors with disabilities and provide
a unique platform for Para classified athletes to compete alongside other
athletes with disabilities who do not classify under the IPC Classification
code. Competition is due to be held in RS Venture Connect, RS21, Wingfoil and
ILCA (Special Olympic) categories.

Over
200 sailors from around the world are expected for the week-long regatta, as
well as coaches and support staff who will be present in Mussanah for the World
Sailing Inclusive Development Programme (IDP) to be held over three days prior to
the championship. The IDP will connect sailors with coaches and instructors
from World Sailing to help develop national Para Inclusive sailing programmes
and provide guidance for sailing coaches and the sailors themselves.

The
event will also include a tourism day to share Oman’s rich cultural heritage
with visitors from around the world.

Dr Khamis Al Jabri, CEO of Oman Sail, said, “It is a
great honour to host the first edition of such an important regatta. We are
incredibly proud of our achievements in breaking down barriers in sailing,
showcasing diversity within the sport, and supporting people with disabilities
to live an active and fulfilling life on the water through our SailFree programmeme.
Mussanah has proven to be an excellent venue for sailing championships of all
sizes, with world class facilities, accommodation and accessibility on-site.”

Jim Morris, World Sailing Director,
said, “We are delighted to award the inaugural edition of the World Sailing
Inclusion Championships to the Sultanate of Oman and Oman Sail. The bid
encapsulates the spirit of inclusive sailing with particular attention to the
diversity of the sailing community and accessibility, as well as sustainability
and long-term benefits for sailors within the region and across Asia. The Inclusive
Development Programmeme, held before the championship begins, will also help to
enhance the SailFree programme in Oman, and provide guidance for our members as
they seek to develop similar programmes to grow the sport.”

The
Oman Sail Sailing School in Mussanah has previously hosted the RS Venture
Connect World Championships in 2022 and is home to the region’s first sailing programme
for people with disabilities, SailFree.

—Ends/AG