During an event to celebrate International Day of Disability, Oman Sail in collaboration with bp Oman and the Oman Paralympic Committee reflected on the progress made by the region’s first para sailing programme ‘SailFree’. It also highlighted the recent achievements of the para sailing national team launched on the same day last year – a milestone achieved through the programme. Her Excellency Dr Laila Al Najjar, the Minister of Social Development was in the audience.

The SailFree programme – launched in 2019 – introduced over 114 men and women aged from 16 to 30 from people with disabilities across the country to the sports of sailing. It also works on enhancing their professional and inter-personal skills.

Thuraya Al Taei, Communications and external affairs manager for Oman, Kuwait and Qatar commented: “Empowering people with disabilities and providing equal opportunities is important to us at bp. The Sail Free programme has given para sailors the opportunity to succeed and follow their passions, despite their differences. We are grateful to have supported a programme that has encouraged such inclusivity and launched Oman’s firs para sailing team.”

Dr. Khamis Al Jabri, CEO of Oman Sail further added: “This sport is able to provide a positive example of an inclusive environment where nobody is excluded. We have shown that there are opportunities for everyone, and together with our partners bp Oman and the Oman Paralympic Committee we are incredibly proud to be able to change lives and promote diversity. We are confident that the future for para sport is bright in Oman and look forward to being part of the growing movement to be fully inclusive throughout sport and across society.”

Dr Mansoor Al Tauqi, President of the Oman Paralympic Committee, commented: “It brings me joy to witness an increase in the number of para athletes and para sailors in counties all over the world. Over the last few years, we were able to achieve more medals and achievements through national and international championships. This success comes through the strategy of cooperation and partnership with Oman Sail and bp Oman as Sail Free has now become a gold standard and is regarded as one of the most successful programmes for people with disabilities as well as an example and source of pride for the Omanis and athletes.”

World Sailing, the global governing body for the sport of sailing, has recorded that the number of nations with para sailors competing internationally increased by 30% over the last five years, reaching up to 41 countries participating. Oman Sail organised the recent RS Venture Connect World Championships, the first exclusively para sailing event to be staged in Oman which included the World Sailing Para Sailing Development Program (PDP) and certifying four new International Classifiers to continue the growth of the sport in the region.