Oman’s national sailing team has arrived in Japan for an intensive eight-day training camp as part of its preparations for the 2026 Asian Games, scheduled to be held in Aichi-Nagoya. The camp, running from September 16 to 24, aims to enhance the competitive readiness of the four-member squad while accelerating the development of emerging sailors.
The team will compete in the 49er and 29er classes under the Oman Olympic Committee banner. The 49er pairing features the experienced duo of Ahmed bin Ghareeb al Hasani and Waleed bin Issa al Kindi, while the 29er class includes rising talents Feras bin Haitham al Nabhani and Tamim bin Sulieman al Balushi. The squad is led by Head Coach Performance and Team Lead Hashim bin Hamad al Rashdi, with support from 29er Team Coach Fabrice Jaunet.
Officials describe the Japanese camp as a crucial stage in Oman Sail’s broader strategy, which focuses on building a pathway from youth development to high-performance competition. Apart from preparing for the Asian Games, the initiative also seeks to provide the athletes with experience ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Abdulaziz bin Salim al Shidi, Acting Sailing Director at Oman Sail, emphasized the importance of a structured progression system. He noted that the organisation’s mission centers on nurturing young Omani talent through grassroots programs that promote equal opportunities and systematically guide sailors toward elite competitive levels.
“Seeing our emerging 29er sailors step up alongside our established 49er duo demonstrates the true strength and success of this pathway,” al Shidi said. He added that participating in the Asian Games is a moment of great pride, reflecting the hard work and dedication of the athletes and coaching staff, as well as Oman’s rich maritime heritage.
The 49er team will use the camp to improve their boat speed and tactical skills specific to Japanese water conditions. Waleed al Kindi highlighted the value of training in a race-like environment alongside the 29er sailors and coaches. “It is an incredible honour to represent Oman at the Asian Games under the Oman Olympic Committee,” he stated.
For the younger 29er sailors, the camp represents an important step toward senior-level competition. Tamim al Balushi described their selection for the continental event as a significant milestone and expressed eagerness to maximise their training time on the water.
The team’s preparations are supported by EL B&T, which serves as Gold Partner. The Group Chairman, Dr. John (Young Ill) Kim, expressed pride in backing the Omani sailors as they build towards major regional and global competitions.