Mussanah:Competitive sailing events began at the Barceló Mussanah Resort with the commencement of the 15th Mussanah Race Week and the 3rd Arab Women's Sailing Championship. Over 100 sailors from Oman, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt, Tunisia, and India took to the waters for the first day of practice races across the Optimist, ILCA, and inclusive classes.
According to Oman News Agency, these events not only highlight high-performance sailing but also emphasize environmental stewardship. The competitions have launched environmental initiatives and the inaugural Community Sustainability Lab, targeting school and college students, especially females aged 14 and above from South Al Batinah Governorate.
Participants underwent registration, boat inspections, technical briefings, and training sessions to acclimate to the local sailing conditions. The Arab Women's Sailing Championship features classes such as Optimist, ILCA 4, and ILCA 6, organized in collaboration with the Oman Maritime Sports Committee and the Arab Sailing Federation to enhance participation and technical skills.
Qasim Abdulrazzaq, Technical Director of the Bahrain Sailing Team, expressed satisfaction in returning to Mussanah, highlighting Bahrain's representation by seven sailors. He emphasized the focus on technical skill development and gaining competitive experience. Dr. Mohammed Al Awadhi of the Kuwait National Sailing Team noted the significance of the event for competitive experience and technical improvement following a month-long training program.
The Community Sustainability Lab, coinciding with Omani Women's Day, aims to empower young women to develop practical environmental solutions. Saada Ahmed Al Habsi, lead coordinator, stated the lab's goal is to promote sustainability practices, such as reducing single-use plastics and organizing beach clean-ups.
Safety remains a priority as highlighted by Mohammed Ali Al Balushi from the sailor safety team, ensuring readiness with rescue boats and monitoring conditions. These events align with Oman Sail's objectives to develop national talent and support Oman Vision 2040 by strengthening Oman's status as a host for international sports events.