World Inclusion Sailing Championship | Oman 2025
The stage is set in Al Mussanah, in the Sultanate of Oman, for the inaugural World Sailing Inclusion Championships. Organised for the first time worldwide by Oman Sail, the championship has 155 sailors from 37 countries registered, with competitions running until 8 December.
The ceremony on 3 December, the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities, witnessed the official raising of the championship flag by the esteemed guest of honour, His Highness Sayyid Azan bin Qais Al Said, President of the Oman Olympic Committee, accompanied by Dr. Khamis Al Jabri, CEO of Oman Sail, marking the official launch of the event. David Graham, CEO of World Sailing, then proclaimed the opening of the championship in a formal address that signaled the start of the competitions.
The ceremony also featured a parade of participating nations’ flags and a visual presentation showcasing the values of unity and inclusivity embodied by this landmark edition.
Racing at the 2025 World Sailing Inclusion Championships will run over five days across four internationally recognised boat classes: Hansa 303 (one-person), ILCA 6, RS Venture Connect, and the FarEast 28R boat for visually impaired sailing.
Dr. Khamis Salim Al Jabri, CEO of Oman Sail, delivered a welcoming speech, saying: “It is an honour to gather today for an exceptional moment defined by inspiration and determination, as we celebrate the launch of the first-ever World Sailing Inclusion Championships, hosted by the Sultanate of Oman in conjunction with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This global event reflects the highest values of empowerment and equality, and highlights Oman’s civilisational message of using sport as a bridge for communication, peace, and opportunity for all.”
David Graham, CEO of World Sailing, expressed his appreciation for Oman’s organisational efforts, stating:
“Opening the event on 3 December, the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities, is a powerful symbol of our collective commitment. The goal of these Championships sounds simple but is incredibly complex: to celebrate ability over limitation. To provide an elite racing platform where every sailor, regardless of their physical ability, can compete with confidence, purpose and equity.”
Over three days prior to the start of racing, World Sailing organised a dedicated Emerging Nations Programme designed to enhance coaching capabilities, improve sailors’ technical skills, and support countries in developing national inclusive sailing structures. The programme combined theory and practical workshops, reflecting growing global commitment to advancing Para and inclusive sailing.
The largest edition of the Inclusive Development Programme (IDP) was also held, providing invaluable coaching and training resources to 97 participants, helping to maximise the impact of national Para Inclusive Sailing programmes in more countries around the world.
In its first two years of implementation, the IDP reached 164 participants from 34 countries, making this edition a highly valuable addition to the global growth of the sport.
The World Sailing Inclusion Championships will see the debut of several nations in inclusive sailing, proving the potential of the sport to inspire diverse communities from all continents. Sailors from Bolivia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Trinidad & Tobago, and Uruguay, among others, will compete for the first time.
Text Credits: Oman Sail
Photo Credits: Oman Sail