UAE, Oman: A rich history of sporting cooperation
Four years ago, the hashtag, “UAE Oman One Win”, was all over the 23rd Arabian Gulf Cup held in Kuwait, which underscored the deeprooted relations between the UAE and Oman in all areas, including in sports.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, first announced the hashtag on his Twitter account after both countries’ national teams qualified for the finals.
The cup’s organisers showed the hashtag on the electronic screen of the Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium while the Emirati, Omani and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) public interacted with it, making it one of the leading hashtags on Twiter.
For over ten years, sports have strengthened the ties between the two countries, due to the support of their leaderships.
The first official match between the two countries took place during the 4th Arab Gulf Cup (Gulf 4) held in Qatar in 1976.
The UAE Pro League is also the leading GCC destination for Omani players in recent years, with many Emirati clubs having Omani players, whether before or ater the implementation of the professional football players system.
Fawzi Bashir, one of the most famous Omani players in the UAE league, played for many years for Emirati clubs, including for Baniyas for five seasons before moving to Al Dhafra and then to the Ajman Club.
During the FIFA Club World Cup hosted by the UAE in February, Sheikh Salem Bin Saeed Al Wahaibi, Chairman of the Oman Football Association, lauded the role of the UAE Football Association (UAEFA) in hosting many football events and camps.
Bashir is one of Oman’s most prominent players in the Gulf Cup tournaments, as he has played in the Omani national team for more than fiteen years. He has participated in the Gulf Cup since 2003, the Gulf Cup 2004, the 2004 Asian Cup, the 2007 Gulf Cup, and the 2007 Asian Cup.
Meanwhile, Aramex and Dubai Offshore Sailing Club (DOSC) recently announced that the 30th edition of the Aramex Dubai to Muscat Offshore Sailing Race. The annual race starts on Saturday, February 4, 2023.
It has been 30 years since the Dubai to Muscat first set sail, and remains to be the longest and hardest sailing race in the region that requires strong and continuous commitment for up to five days.
The race is unique and one-of-a-kind as it atracts high-skilled local sailors and international competitors from all over the world.
Over 30 teams are expected to participate with a mix of keelboats and multihulls from 27 to 100 t in length. Starting from Dubai Offshore Sailing Club on Jumeirah Beach, the teams will sail across the Arabian Gulf to the deep waters of the Indian Ocean.
They will then pass along the coast of the Musandam Peninsula and through the famous Straits of Hormuz.
The final leg will take the teams on a South Eastern route leading to Muscat, the capital city of the Sultanate of Oman, before finishing at Marina Bandar Al Rowdha.
Organised by Dubai Offshore Sailing Club and the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation in association with the Oman Maritime Sports Commitee, the Dubai to Muscat Offshore Sailing Race is recognised by the Asian Sailing Federation (ASAF) and Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC).
For over ten years, sports have strengthened the ties between the UAE and Oman, due to the support of their leaderships. The first official match between the two countries took place during the 4th Arab Gulf Cup in 1976