Oman to Host Largest Sailing Event for Persons with Disabilities: What It Means for Inclusive Business and Investment Opportunities
The Wilayat of Mussanah is set to host the world’s largest sailing championship dedicated to athletes with disabilities, with the inaugural 2025 World Sailing Inclusion Championships officially opening on Wednesday at the Mussanah Sailing School, Barceló Mussanah Resort. The opening ceremony will take place under the patronage of Sayyid Azzan bin Qais al Said, President of the Oman Olympic Committee, and will be attended by senior officials, sports leaders, and participating delegations. The event coincides with the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The official races will commence on December 4.
This first edition of the championship marks the highest ever participation in a sailing event for persons with disabilities, bringing together 155 sailors from 37 countries. This unprecedented turnout highlights the rapid global growth of inclusive sailing and strengthens Oman’s reputation as a premier host of major international sporting events.
Competitions will be held across four boat classes: the single-person Hansa 303, the two-person RS Venture Connect, ILCA 6s for athletes with intellectual impairments, and FarEast 28Rs for visually impaired athletes.
Oman will be represented by seven sailors from Oman Sail’s SailFree programme, which is run in partnership with bp Oman and the Oman Paralympic Association. In the RS Venture event, two Omani teams—Hassan Al Lawati & Zaher Al Atbi and Adel Al Siyabi & Al Ghaliya Al Jabri—will compete alongside 28 other teams in fleet racing. In the One-Person Inclusive category, using Hansa 303 boats, Omani sailors Ali Al Ghusaini, Sultan Al Wahaibi, and Malik Al Qurtubi will join 35 international athletes.
In the lead-up to the championships, World Sailing organised a dedicated Emerging Nations Programme from November 30 to December 2. This initiative aimed to enhance coaching skills, improve sailors’ technical abilities, and support countries in developing national inclusive sailing structures. The programme combined theoretical and practical workshops, reflecting a growing global commitment to advancing para and inclusive sailing.
Hannah Stodel, World Sailing’s Para Sailing Manager, praised the launch of the championship, calling it “a historic milestone for inclusive sailing” and affirming that “sailing is a sport for everyone.” She highlighted the remarkable enthusiasm from sailors worldwide and noted that the training programme showcased the promising potential of emerging nations, which will contribute to the sport’s long-term growth globally.
Maryam Al Jadidi, senior project manager at Oman Sail and event project manager, underscored the event’s national importance, stating, “We are fully prepared to launch this historic championship, which carries a powerful human message of empowerment and inclusion. Our teams have worked tirelessly to ensure the highest organisational and technical standards. We aim to deliver an exceptional experience for all delegations, blending fair competition, cultural exchange, and showcasing Oman’s outstanding tourism attractions.”
A Race Village will also open as part of the championships, featuring local businesses, SMEs, and artisans celebrating Omani heritage. This initiative supports the local community while strengthening the link between sports, tourism, and the economy, in alignment with Oman Vision 2040.
Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market
Hosting the inaugural 2025 World Sailing Inclusion Championships positions Oman as a global leader in inclusive sports tourism, opening significant opportunities for growth in niche tourism and international sporting events. Businesses and SMEs can leverage this influx through the Race Village and related services, aligning with Oman Vision 2040’s goals of economic diversification and community engagement. Smart investors should consider supporting inclusive sports infrastructure and hospitality sectors to capitalize on the expanding market of accessible and adaptive sports worldwide.
