(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Oman's status as a top sailing destination will get a huge boost when it hosts two major world championships later this year.
The Musannah Sports City the sultanate's hub of sailing activities will be home to the RS:X windsurfing worlds this October which will be followed by the laser radial women's worlds in November.
Speaking exclusively to Muscat Daily on Tuesday David Graham the Oman Sail's CEO said 'Oman Sail in cooperation with the Ministry of Sports Affairs will host the 2015 Laser Radial Women's World Championship in November which will be preceded by the 2015 RS:X World Windsurfing Championships in October at the Musannah Sports City.'
The RS:X worlds will be held from October 17-24 while the Laser Radial women's worlds will take place from November 19-28.
Graham said 'Both the world championships assume significance as they will serve as qualifiers for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro Brazil.'
This is the second time that Oman Sail will host a world sailing championship at Musannah after the Laser World Championships in 2013.
The last edition had three events - Laser Radial Youth Laser Standard and Laser Masters.
'The success of the Laser worlds in 2013 set a strong platform for us to aspire for more world-class events.
'The sailors and officials were impressed by the world-class infrastructure at the Musannah Sports City which was developed by the sports ministry' said Graham.
He said the bid to host two world championships this year was made keeping in mind two specific reasons. 'Firstly this year marks His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said's 45 years of reign. The Laser Radial women's worlds will be held around the same time when Oman celebrates its National Day' Graham said.
'His Majesty the Sultan has been a keen supporter of women's empowerment and to have the women's laser radial meet fitted the bill perfectly.
'Secondly with just a year to go for the Rio Olympics the two championships will not only serve as qualifiers for the Games but also provide sailors the best opportunity to test their strength. We will have top sailors from across the world participating here and to host them ahead of the Olympics just as they are peaking will provide some intense action' he said.
With a restricted entry the Laser Radial Women's World Championship is a competitive event held under the International Laser Class Association (ILCA). It will feature 120 competitors.
The meet will span nine days with two days allotted for registration and measurements followed by four days of qualifications and then three days of finals.
The Oman Sail CEO said 'To have such high-profile regattas which are of Olympic class is testimony to our organisational capabilities.'
'Given a chance Oman Sail would not have hesitated to hold a third world championship as we believe Musannah is one of the best venues for a top international event. To have two world events out of the eight Olympic classes means we will have a total of nearly 300 sailors competing ahead of their biggest challenge [at the 2016 Games]' he said.
Graham said the participation of world champions and Olympic winners will inspire Omani sailors as Oman Sail grooms them as part of its plans to develop Olympic sailors by 2020.
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