The hosting of the Laser World Championships and other high profile international events in Oman this year are expected to inspire higher levels of competition at the fourth annual Inter-Schools Sailing Championship in Mussanah Sports City next week.
A total of 115 sailors, aged between 8 and 16, from 16 National schools will be competing in the one day event organised by Oman Sail and sponsored by Renaissance Services on Monday 16 December.
The event was created to give young sailors that are training at Oman Sail’s sailing schools the opportunity to compete against their peers in a fun, competitive regatta. There will be 45 sailors from seven schools representing Marina Bander Rowdha, 49 students from five schools in Mussanah and 4 schools representing The Wave, Muscat.
Stephen R Thomas, chief executive officer of Renaissance Services said “We are impressed at how the annual Inter Schools Regatta has grown in stature and shown an increasingly high level of competence and competition. For many children it is a highlight of the school calendar and an event they look forward to as an opportunity to test their sailing skills learnt during the year. The team spirit is fantastic and, from a sponsor’s viewpoint, it is rewarding to see youngsters having so much fun in a competitive environment. This is the fourth edition of this event and each year we see many students and members of the community encouraged to take up sailing as a direct result of attending this great day.”
Rashid Al Kindi, Oman Sail National Sailing Team Managersaid Oman’s first ever hosting of the Laser World Championships and other high profile world class events like the RC 44 and Extreme Sailing Series in Muscat this year was expected to have a positive influence on the country’s young sailors.
“They have been keenly watching these events and we expect them to be inspired to reach much higher levels of competition than ever before.”
Al Kindi said the Inter-Schools regatta provided a platform for students to develop and improve their sailing skills and with it their team work, decision making skills and confidence.
“They are eagerly looking forward to the regatta. They have been training hard for the event and it is evident that team spirit is already exceedingly high. They are aware that the harder you work for something the better the result.
“At an event like this we don’t only look out for the winners but also try and identify and select young talent for our Youth Programme and ultimately the national youth team.
“These young sailors are already role models for their peers and through their example help spread awareness of the physical and mental benefits of the sport of sailing.
“It is a fun, healthy and exciting sport that can offer a healthy lifestyle and provide the skills for success in adulthood.
“We believe we will find the future champions of Oman among them. They are our hope for the future and theirs is the generation that can ensure Oman realises its dream of taking a sailing team to the Olympics.
