World Sailing has kicked off its 2022 Paralympic Development Programme with its first event ever to be held in the Sultanate of Oman. Para sailors and coaches have come together at the Mussanah Barceló resort, home of Oman Sail, for an extensive schedule on and off the water. Sessions are ranging from boat handling and racing skills, to rules and regatta management, with specific opportunities for coaches to develop their high performance para sailing expertise.
“We’re excited to be in Oman for the very first time since launching our Paralympic Development Programme in 2017,” said Catherine Duncan, Training & Development Executive at World Sailing. “We’ve seen over 210 sailors and coaches from 39 countries spanning six continents come through our programme – now we’re breaking brand new ground in Oman.”
World Sailing’s Paralympic Development Programme has launched the careers of several top para sailors now competing at World Championship level and has been fundamental to launching and enhancing performance para sailing programmes around the world.
Oman in the spotlight
“Oman Sail has always prioritised inclusion, diversity and equality within the sport and the launch of Oman Sail’s para sailing programme SailFree in 2019 – the first of its kind in the region – is a major step forward in the expansion of the sport, allowing us to create new opportunities within para sailing,” said Khamis Al-Anbouri, Oman Sail Commercial Director and Head of SailFree.
“Now, thanks to World Sailing’s Paralympic Development Programme, we have a valuable platform to further our ambitions to be a leader in para sailing and compete at the highest level by empowering athletes, teams and coaches, and enhancing our own capability to host regattas.
“Oman’s Vision 2040 has made these values a core objective throughout our society, so we are proud to be focusing on developing a team capable of representing the nation around the world.
“We are hopeful that para sailing will be reinstated to the Paralympics to give our athletes the chance to shine on the grandest stage of all.”
Hassan Al Lawati, who started his first sailing experience last year with the SailFree programme, is now taking part in World Sailing’s Paralympic Development Programme in Oman: “When I began sailing, it was a completely new thing to do, but what I liked most about it is that it gives me motivation and self-challenge as well as unlocking opportunities to reach new horizons. I have learned a lot from the current sessions in Mussanah, especially that they are designed to give us enriching doses to develop and excel.”
