Almouj Muscat reign supreme at School Olympic Days regatta

At the two-day regatta Almouj Muscat emerged as the top sailing school with wins in both Optimist and Laser classes

MUSCAT: With their young talents taking top honours in both Optimist and Laser classes, Almouj Muscat reigned supreme in the first sailing competitions of the School Olympic Days organised at Al Musannah Sports City recently.

The two-day regatta – held in ideal sailing conditions – resulted from a new partnership between Oman Sail and the Ministry of Education after sailing was approved as an extracurricular activity for students in the government schools. Sailing joined swimming, badminton, chess and track and field events as one of the sports included in the wider four-day School Olympic Days event.

“This new event for us has been a great success and has opened up sailing to a whole new range of students,” said Rashid Al Kindi, Oman Sail’s National Sailing Team Manager.

“The conditions were ideal and off the water all the sailors were able to mix with many other athletes taking part in the other events.”

Organised by the Oman Schools Sports Association, the Omantelsupported youth sailors raced in Optimist and Laser 4.7 classes, with the four Oman Sail sailing schools taking part representing three of Oman’s governorates.

Almouj Muscat — representing the Governate of Muscat — emerged as the top sailing school with wins in both classes.

Mohammed Al Qasmi won the overall Optimist class, and Abdulmalik Al Hanai, Adnan Al Mabsali and Hassan Al Owaisi made it a clean sweep of the Laser podium. Almouj’s Aya Al Habsi was also the top female Optimist sailor at the event.

The Governorate of Muscat was also represented by Marina Bandar Al Rowdha sailing school, whose sailors also earned recognition. Jihad Al Mashari was the youngest sailor at the event, and Abdul Aziz Al Hasani the best newcomer to a ranking event.

Musannah Sailing School – representing the Governate of South Al Batinah – saw Abdullah Al Balushi named the best Junior Optimist sailor, while Al’Maotasem Al Farsi took second place in the 52boat Optimist fleet.

The third spot on the Optimist podium was taken by Saleem Al Alawi from Sur Sailing School, who were sailing on behalf of the Governorate of South Al Sharqiya.

All the sailors taking part in the regatta joined the many young athletes from the other School Olympic Days sports at the closing ceremony at the Sultan Qaboos Sport Complex where chief guest Dr. Dhafir Awadh Al Shanfari, Chief Executive Officer of the Omani Authority for Partnership for Development (OAPFD), handed over the prizes.

“Oman Sail’s involvement has brought great benefits to the School Olympic Days curriculum and has opened the door to many students to take part in the sport of sailing, with all the lifelong skills that can offer, including discipline, responsibility, leadership and teamwork,” Ahmed bin Darwish Al Balushi, General Secretary Oman Sport School Association, said.

Full story @ timesofoman.com/sports