The national team will represent Oman in international competitions such as the Parasailing World Championship 2022 and Paralympic games. This outcome was a result of the Sail Free programme which was first launched in December 2019
In partnership with bp Oman, Oman Sail and Oman Paralympic Committee have officially announced the national para sailing team to represent Oman in para sailing competitions locally and internationally in a formal celebration marking the International Day of Persons with Disability, held under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Rashid Ahmed Al Shamsi, Undersecretary in the Ministry of Social Development, on Wednesday, December 8.
The celebration was also attended by Dr. Khamis Salim Al Jabri, CEO of Oman Sail, Eng. Mohammed Al Najwani, Vice President of Wells at bp Oman, Dr. Mansoor Sultan Al Tauqi, President of the Oman Paralympic Committee and various attendees from sport related associations. The celebration highlighted the national team’s journey towards success, and their future directions.
The national team will represent Oman in international competitions such as the Parasailing World Championship 2022 and Paralympic games. This outcome was a result of the Sail Free programme which was first launched in December 2019 introducing persons with disabilities (specially with physical impairment) to the sport of sailing.
Since then, approximately 150 men and women with disabilities aged 16 to 30 years have benefited from the programme.
The team members were selected based on their performance in various stages of the programme at both Oman Sail’s Sailing Schools in Al Mouj Muscat and Mussanah.
The members were trained under the highest standards of security and safety with supervision by a group of highly qualified Omani trainers, using the multi-functional RS Venture Connect dinghy which can be quickly configured to suit the needs of each person with their own unique disability.
Shamsa Al-Rawahi, bp Oman social investment manager, commented: “We believe that Paralympic sport promotes inclusivity, diversity and empowerment. This is in line with our aims at bp to provide equal opportunities to Omanis that help develop their skills and capabilities. We look forward to the outcomes of team as they sail across local, regional and international waters.”
Dr. Khamis Al Jabri, CEO of Oman Sail, said, “The success we have seen so far with the Sail Free programme shows the potential for Oman to support people with different strengths and abilities. This programme provided the training, experience and an environment for them to success. I am excited to see the launch of the national para sailing team pave the way for athletes across the country to strive towards their goals.”
Dr. Mansoor Al Tauqi, President of the Oman Paralympic Committee, said, “The Sail Free programme has shown its potential to instil self-confidence and many other valuable lifelong skills in persons with disability. We are excited to see the team inspire others as they sail and compete internationally.”
About bp Oman:
- bp is the operator of Khazzan in Block 61, the Middle East’s largest unconventional gas field which produces a significant amount of Oman’s gas
- The second part of Block 61’s development, Ghazeer, started production in late 2020.
- In 2019, we spent over $1bn with Omani registered companies
- Over 80% of bp Oman employees are Omanis, including half of our leadership team. We aim to reach 90% Omanisation by 2025.
- Our social investment programme aims to support the development of Omani people, economic diversification and job creation.
- Launched in 2014, over 94,500 people are estimated to have benefitted directly so far through 106 initiatives that have taken place.
About Oman Sail:
Operating under Oman Tourism Development Company, Oman Sail is tasked with rekindling the country’s maritime eminence, promote the Sultanate around the world through sailing, contribute to the sustainable prosperity of the nation and provide long-term learning opportunities for the youth.
Since 2008, Oman Sail has built a solid foundation around Sailing, Tourism, Commerce, Health and Environment, all underpinned with competency-based development for its workforce. Committed to offering both men and women equal opportunities to learn, Oman Sail’s programmes focus on nurturing young talent to develop the sailing champions of tomorrow, increasing revenue in the tourism, activity and experiential learning markets and gaining prominent international exposure for the country.
The company has a strong track record in delivering a portfolio of events across the Sultanate to showcase Oman’s natural beauty, tourism potential, the people’s hospitality, and the infrastructure readiness for business opportunities. More information can be found on www.omansail.com
About Oman Paralympic Committee:
Oman Paralympic Committee is a non-profitable community organisation specialised in organising and managing Paralympic sports such as athletics, sailing, weightlifting, and team sports such as soccer, goal ball for the blind and basketball on wheelchairs for people with disabilities, including movement and visual impairments and cerebral palsy.
Oman Paralympic Committee aims to nurture and establish the Paralympic initiative, develop the skills of athletes, and remove the physical, legal and social barriers that limit people with disabilities to practice such sports.
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