Tuesday 17 / February / 2026
Muscat: Oman Maritime Sports Committee striving to solidify the Sultanate of Oman's position as a leading destination for maritime sports at both regional and international levels. This drive leverages Oman's natural advantages, including over 3,000 kilometers of coastline, alongside technical and organizational plans aimed at broadening participation, refining national talents, and enhancing international presence.
Sheikh Ali Said Bait Fadhil, Chairman of the Committee, stated in an interview with Oman News Agency that the Committee holds a comprehensive organizational and technical role. This, he said, includes developing strategies, organizing championships, qualifying personnel, and overseeing international participations. He noted that the number of competitions and programs implemented by the Committee annually exceeds 15 diverse events, ranging from local championships and training camps to community programs, with the participation of over 1,200 male and female athletes from various coastal governorates.
He explained that the past years have witnessed a remarkable growth of approximately 40 percent in the uptake of maritime sports, especially among the youth demographic. This surge is attributed to intensified introductory programs, the inclusion of numerous maritime activities in national and community events, and collaboration with over 12 clubs and educational institutions to integrate these sports into their annual plans.
Sheikh Ali pointed out that the Omani marine environment serves as a supportive and stimulating factor for the spread of these sports, offering geographical and climatic diversity that allows competitions and training to be held year-round. He affirmed that this diversity has contributed to hosting regional championships and attracting international participation in the recent period.
Regarding achievements, he clarified that national teams have secured more than 10 medals and advanced positions in Gulf and Asian championships over the past years. This reflects the development in technical level resulting from intensive training programs implemented by the Committee, including organizing 8 internal and external camps and utilizing international expertise in coaching and refereeing.
He highlighted that last season, the Committee organized approximately 18 maritime championships and events, witnessing the participation of over 35 teams and clubs, with a notable increase in the number of junior categories. This reflects the expanding base of practitioners and the success of talent attraction plans.
The Chairman affirmed that the Committee's plan for the current year includes organizing at least 20 championships and events, launching two new championships dedicated to age groups under 16 and under 18, and conducting 10 technical and refereeing courses. These courses aim to qualify over 60 national coaches and referees according to approved international standards.
He added that the Committee pays special attention to talent discovery through selection programs implemented in coastal governorates. Efforts are also underway to increase the number of practitioners to over 1,500 male and female athletes by the end of the year, and to activate maritime sports in at least 15 clubs in coordination with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth.
