Two-day regatta to mark sailing’s debut in School Olympic Days

MUSCAT: With sailing being included in the list of disciplines of the School Olympic Days event, Oman Sail is all set to organise a two-day regatta in Al Musannah Sports City later this month.

Sailing will feature as one of five sports - others being swimming, badminton, chess and track and field disciplines - included in this year’s School Olympic Days event, to be organised by the Oman Schools Sports Association from March 25 to 28.

The two-day regatta in Al Musannah will see around 90 Omantel-supported youth sailors racing in Optimist and Laser 4.7 classes.

According to a press statement issue by Oman Sail on Wednesday, the new partnership between Oman Sail and the Ministry of Education followed the recent recognition of sailing as an approved extracurricular activity for government students.

“This new partnership between Oman Sail and the Ministry of Education opens the doors for government and private school students to experience and learn about the sport of sailing,” Rashid Al Kindi, Oman Sail’s National Sailing Team Manager, said.

“It is also a great opportunity for all our youth sailors at government or private schools to go sailing as part of the School Olympic Days event, and a further chance for us to identify sailing talent.”

Young sailors from four Oman Sail sailing schools will be representing three of Oman’s governorates rather than their own schools during the regatta on March 26 and 27.

The Governorate of Muscat will be represented by Almouj Muscat and Marina Bandar Al Rowdha sailing schools, the Governorate of South Al Batinah by Musannah Sailing School, and the Governorate of South Al Sharqiya by Sur Sailing School.

“This new partnership with Oman Sail will offer students from both government and private schools the chance to learn the sport of sailing, with expert tuition provided by Oman Sail’s sailing schools,” Ahmed bin Darwish Al Balushi, General Secretary Oman Sport School Association, said.

“The sport of sailing offers lifelong skills such as leadership, teamwork and commitment and presents a link to lessons learned in the classroom. We are delighted to welcome these sailors to the School Olympic Days and wish them all the best in the competition,” he added.

The two-day event will also allow the young Oman Sail sailors to prepare for upcoming regattas around the world, and they will also be attending a three-day training camp.

Full story @ timesofoman.com/sports