Oman Sail has welcomed Renaissance Services on board as the official partner of the Renaissance Sailing Programme, a community-focused sailing initiative designed to create opportunities for the young people. A signing ceremony was held at Oman Sail HQ between CEOs Dr Khamis Al Jabri of Oman Sail and Stephen R Thomas of Renaissance Services to celebrate the agreement.
Together, the two organisations will prioritise the development of the Omani youth through sailing and create long-term learning opportunities while promoting the benefits of an active and healthy lifestyle.
Renaissance Services is a long-time partner of Oman Sail and has collaborated on events and initiatives including Sailing Arabia – The Tour, the Extreme Sailing Series and Inter Schools Regatta since 2009. The latest agreement aims to support the growth of young people in communities across the nation, spread environmental awareness and help the youth develop a passion for the sport of sailing.
Dr Khamis Al Jabri, Oman Sail CEO, said, “We are very proud to continue our association with Renaissance Services, which will now extend to more than 13 years. Our two organisations enjoy a shared vision to provide opportunities for the youth and help keep them engaged in a healthy and active lifestyle. The Renaissance Sailing Programme will prove to be a valuable initiative in teaching valuable skills, introducing children to sailing and connecting the next generation to an important aspect of Omani culture, and we are delighted to be working with Renaissance Services to deliver the programme over the coming year.”
Stephen R Thomas, CEO, Renaissance Services, added, “We are strong believers in the power of sport to teach, inspire and have a lasting positive impression on young people. Oman Sail has shown how successful sailing can be in reaching young people and teaching them about the importance of a healthy lifestyle and regular exercise, as well as promoting leadership and teamwork. We look forward to being part of the Community Sailing Programme and supporting communities across the country through sailing.”
The Renaissance Sailing Programme aims to teach a total of 900 students aged 8-10 from government schools in Al Batinah South, Al Sharqiyah South and Muscat Governates each year through a coordinated approach at Oman Sail’s sailing schools in Al Mouj Muscat, Mussanah and Sur. Each student will take part in a five-week sailing course with one weekly session using the Optimist boat.
The programme will culminate with the Renaissance Services Inter-Schools Regatta in April 2025 where the best performing sailors from the three sailing schools will have an opportunity to compete against their peers.
Each batch of students will also take part in a beach clean up project to ensure the local community is kept clean and underline the importance of maintaining the environment for bird and marine life, as well as to be able to sail in clear waters.
It is estimated that up to 600 families from communities within these governorates will benefit from the Community Sailing Programme with 75 individuals taking part at each sailing school over the five-week period.
