World Sailing kicks off 2022 Paralympic Development Program

World Sailing has taken an important step to strengthening their reinstatement bid for the LA28 Paralympic Games.

On Monday World Sailing kicked off their 2022 Paralympic Development Program with their first ever event to be held in Oman.

“We’re excited to be in Oman for the very first time,” said Catherine Duncan, Training and Development Executive at World Sailing. “We’ve seen over 210 sailors and coaches from 39 countries spanning six continents come through our program.”

Back in October 2021, World Sailing started their reinstatement bid for the LA28 Paralympics with three main objectives in mind: increasing worldwide participation to 45 nations on six continents, increasing youth participation to 20 percent of total athletes and growing the number of female participants to at least 30 percent.

David Graham, CEO of World Sailing, is delighted with the progress his sport is making.

“We have clear evidence our Paralympic Development Programs are playing a central role in the growth of Para sailing around the world,” he said.

“Over the past five years, we’ve increased the number of nations with Para sailors participating in international competitions by 30 percent. This is both exciting and crucial as we work towards the LA28 Paralympic Games.”

Oman is more than willing to help World Sailing achieve their reinstatement goal.

“This is major step forward in the expansion of the sport,” said Khamis Al-Anbouri, Oman Sail Commercial Director and Head of SailFree. “Oman Sail has always prioritized inclusion, diversity and equality within the sport. Thanks to World Sailing’s Paralympic Development Program, we have a valuable platform to further our ambitions to be a leader in Para sailing and compete at the highest level.”

Oman is not the only stop for the World Sailing Paralympic Development Program. This summer will also include visits to the United States, Singapore, Italy and South Africa before the Para World Sailing Championships in Hiroshima, Japan October 20-23. The RS Venture SCS Para Sailing World Championship will be in Oman from November 23-27.

“Sailing is for everyone, no matter how wide or limited a person’s range of physical, sensory and intellectual ability. We have so much to offer the Paralympic program and are working with the International Paralympic Committee as we work towards reinstatement,” said Graham.