Wednesday 01 / October / 2025
Muscat - Oman Sail has added a fleet of 12 Hansa 303 boats to the SailFree Programme, run in collaboration with bp Oman.The announcement was made at Oman Sail HQ under the Under the patronage of Azzan Qassim Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of Oman's Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism, and Chairman of OMRAN Group, Dr. Khamis Salim Al Jabri, Oman Sail CEO, along with representatives from government entities and partners.
The Hansa 303 is an easy-to-handle sailing dinghy, designed for both single and double-handed use. It is widely used in para sailing programmes and sailing schools worldwide and will be used at the upcoming World Sailing Inclusion Championships held in Mussanah from 30 November to 8 December.
Khamis Al Anbouri, Oman Sail’s Acting Commercial Director, said, “The Hansa 303 is a globally recognised class used in competitive sailing, and having a fleet of our own will enable our SailFree athletes to train consistently and compete at a higher level. We are thankful to bp Oman and look forward to representing Oman both locally and internationally, while inspiring others along the way.”
Ibrahim Al Hinai, bp Oman’s Social Investment Manager, added, “SailFree has shown the value of investing in the community and offering new opportunities for people with disabilities. The addition of the Hansa 303 boats to the programme will provide present and future athletes with the chance to fulfil their potential by learning new skills, gaining more experience joining a global community of sailors.”
The SailFree team is currently preparing for a busy final quarter to the year where they will compete in three major competitions, as well as a series of Try Sailing Sessions in Dhofar, Sohar and Musandam from October2025 to February2026. The team will also be part of Mussanah Race Week from 16-22 October and the 4th Para Inclusive Sailing All Japan Championships 2025 in Hiroshima, Japan, held during the wider 2025 Hansa and Para World Championships.
The team will also represent Oman at the inaugural World Sailing Inclusion Championships, which will feature five inclusive classes, including the Hansa 303 and RS Venture Connect also used by SailFree.
SailFree was launched in 2019 and to date has introduced over 300 people with disabilities to the sport of sailing, as well as providing a positive model to follow for an inclusive society. The programme’s importance extends beyond sport to contribute to 10 of the 12 National Priorities outlined in Oman Vision 2040.
The initiative promotes education, learning and research, as well as developing national capabilities, improving health and wellbeing, and national identity. It also supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with SailFree providing meaningful contributions to 10 of the 17 targets. The SDGs are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all and the 17 goals tie directly into Oman's Vision 2040.
