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13.11.10

Young Omani women make waves with Renaissance.

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Last weekend, 15 girls aged between 11 and 16 years old were sponsored by Renaissance Services to participate in the Muscat regatta held at Marina Bander Al Rowdha. These girls have been training with Oman Sailing School for the past year and now they are dominating the sea, as did their forefathers before them.

“I have lived in Haramel all my life, right opposite the sea and the sea has been my playground.” said Um Kulthoom, 11 years old “Since childhood I have seen my father and uncles sailing. I have heard them tell me stories of my grand father and great grand fathers sailing for trading and discovery purposes. And that made me love sailing and want to be part of it. My family is an inspiration to me and one day I aspire to be a great sailor like them.”

Both Um Kulthom and her team member Samar Al Busaidi, 16 years old showed great skills on the water, competing with other male sailors both local and international.

After finishing the race, Samar Added: “Not only it is a great sport, but there is a great sense of pride to be part of the sailing team. It was a great race and a great learning opportunity. Since the start of the sailing school both my parents have encouraged me to learn how to sail along with my other cousins. I never felt any obstacle as a girl to be part of such a sport that allows all genders to compete at all levels. Now we have passed all three levels I feel I am competent not only to race with my cousins and friends but also to beat them and win also” she concluded with an innocent smile, and joined her cousins and friend to jump into the waters again for a swim!

Since the new dawn was born 40 years ago under the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the Omani women have played a crucial role standing shoulder to shoulder with the men to contribute in the development of the country in all various fields. Today, Oman’s Uniqueness lays in this great partnership that has turned the Sultanate into a developed modern country while maintaining and conserving its wealthy past culture and heritage.

Sailing has had a long and fruitful association with the Sultanate’s history. For many years brave Omanis have been known to be great sailors and navigators that helped Oman proudly establish great trading and diplomatic links with the world. And today, our little female students are following the footsteps of their forefathers in reflecting the same bravery, determination and their personal association, with the sea, rekindling this rich maritime heritage of the country.

Since its establishment a year ago the Oman Sailing School has trained about 2,000 kids in the Try Sailing program, among which about 50% have been girls.

“These girls have shown immense talent through which we can spot our next champion,” said professional Omani sailor Nasser Al Mashari (Crew member of F30, Renaissance). “Almost 5 months ago, me and my fellow colleagues were sponsored by Renaissance Services to take on the challenge and participate for the first time in the world famous Tour de France a la Voile around France, taking fifth place. What made our participation unique was that more than 50% of the crew were Omanis competing with world-class sailors. This shows how far Omani sailors have come according to international standards of modern sailing in such little time. Now we are seeing the young Omani women maintain the same determination and focus on the water. It is not long until we will see both Omani male and female sailors in one team representing Oman in international regattas and raise the Omani flags around the globe just as did our forefathers before us.”

Nasser also pointed out that with the opening of six other planned sailing schools in Mussannah, Sur, Muscat, Salalah, Sohar and Khasab more young Omani women will  have the opportunity to take on the sport of sailing as a hobby, a leisure activity and a vehicle to maintain our national pride and rich maritime heritage.