Tuesday 29 / September / 2026
Muscat: Sailors from Oman Sail’s SailFree programme, run in partnership with bp Oman, are preparing to head to Portimão, Portugal, for the second World Sailing Inclusion Championship 2026, taking place from 30 September to 11 October 2026.
The championship represents another milestone for the SailFree team after competing last year at the inaugural edition in Mussanah by offering the sailors an invaluable opportunity to gain international competitive experience at the highest level, refine their technical abilities, and proudly represent the Sultanate of Oman on the international stage.
The delegation travelling to Portugal includes a dedicated group of athletes, technical staff, and support team.
On the water, the team – led by Nawaf Al Ghadani - comprises Mohammed Abdullah Al Amri, Moosa Khalfan Al Nafai, Zaher Khalfan Al Atabi, Ali Said Al Ghussaini, Ghalya Masoud Al Jabri, and Malik Juma Al Qartoobi.
The athletes will be coached by Haitham Al Wahaibi and Akram Al Wahaibi from Oman Sail and supported by Muayad Al Busaidi. Nawaf Al Ghadani, Team Leader, said, "Representing Oman at an event as influential as the World Sailing Inclusion Championships is an immense honour for our entire team. Our sailors have worked tirelessly to reach this standard, demonstrating incredible dedication and progress throughout our training sessions. Competing against world-class athletes in Portimão will test their skills, build confidence, and showcase the incredible strides Oman is making in adaptive and inclusive sports."
Haitham Al Wahaibi, Coach, added, "This championship is a crucial stepping stone in the personal and professional development of our squad. Beyond the technical challenges of competing in international waters, the event reinforces our ultimate goal of building a clear, sustainable pathway from foundational training to elite, high-performance competition. We are confident that our sailors will gain vital experience, perform to the best of their abilities, and return home with broader horizons and enhanced capabilities."
Ibrahim Al Hinai, Social investment manager at bp Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar further commented: “We are proud to support the athletes from SailFree as they represent the nation in Portugal as part of the World Sailing Inclusion Championships. This participation shows the value of the SailFree programme and the extent to which consistent investment in the community and empowerment of persons with disabilities can lead to important life- changing opportunities. We wish the team all the best and look forward to supporting the next generation of sailors through the programme.”
Participating in top-tier international regattas directly aligns with the overarching objectives of Oman Sail and bp Oman for SailFree by creating structured pathways for persons with disabilities to progress from introductory sailing to advanced competition, while raising awareness of adaptive sports and fostering equal opportunity within the community for people of all abilities to take an active role in society.
