Oman Sail is set to host the third edition of the Arab Women’s Sailing Championship from October 15 to 21 at the Barceló Mussanah Resort, with an anticipated participation of around 30 female sailors from across the Arab region. Competitors will race in Optimist, ILCA 4, and ILCA 6 classes as part of Oman Sail’s 15th Al Musannah Race Week, a prominent annual event reinforcing Oman’s position as a center for competitive women’s maritime sports.
The championship is organised by Oman Sail in collaboration with the Oman Maritime Sports Committee and the Arab Sailing Federation. Registration for the event is currently open, with organisers urging national teams and individual sailors from the region to take part to further the development of women’s sailing.
The decision to host the event in Oman follows strong performances by Omani sailors in previous championships. In the 2024 edition held in Bahrain, Hadeel al Mushaifri secured a bronze medal in the Optimist class. Last year in Kuwait, Tarteel al Hasani earned silver in the Optimist category, while al Mushaifri added another bronze in the ILCA 4 class. Additionally, Ibtisam al Salmi took bronze in the ILCA 6 competition, reflecting a growing pool of female talent in the country.
Abdulaziz bin Salim al Shidi, Acting Director of Sailing for Oman Sail, emphasized the importance of bringing the event to home waters. He highlighted how hosting the championship aligns with Oman Sail’s mission to promote women’s sports in the region and offers local athletes a familiar environment to compete at a high level. He expressed confidence that the event’s infrastructure and the determination of the sailors will help inspire the next generation of female maritime athletes.
Shaikh Khalifa bin Abdullah al Khalifa, President of the Arab Sailing Federation, welcomed the championship’s continued growth, noting its role in fostering cooperation among Arab nations and providing a competitive platform for women sailors. He underlined the federation’s commitment to developing women’s sailing and anticipated strong performances during the competition in Oman.
The Oman Sail Women’s Sailing programme, launched in 2012 with the region’s first all-female sailing team, serves as a strategic initiative aligned with Oman Vision 2040. The programme not only promotes gender equality in sports but also contributes to broader social, economic, and human capital development goals within the country. Hosting the third Arab Women’s Sailing Championship marks a further step in Oman’s dedication to advancing women’s participation in sailing across the Arab world.