Latest news with #OmanKiteFestival2025
Times of Oman
4 days ago
- Sport
- Times of Oman
Oman Kite Festival 2025 concludes after exciting competitions and vibrant events
Muscat: The Oman Kite Festival 2025 came to a close after 10 days of exciting competitions and vibrant events held across several coastal locations in the Sultanate of Oman. The festival, which ran from 15 to 24 July, brought together more than 90 athletes from around the world. Organised by Omran Group in partnership with Oman Sail, Visit Oman, and the Oman Adventure Centre, the festival aimed to promote adventure and experience-driven tourism by showcasing the Sultanate's diverse coastal landscapes and supporting the growth of unique tourism offerings across the country. The closing ceremony was held at The Beachfront in Sur, South Al Sharqiyah, under the patronage of Dr. Yahya bin Badr Al Maawali, Governor of South Al Sharqiyah, and in the presence of Dr. Khamis Salim Al Jabri, CEO of Oman Sail, as well as senior representatives from Omran Group, sponsoring entities and strategic partners. The festival welcomed the participation of 90 athletes from around the world, who competed in a series of thrilling races. The highlight was the multi-stage 'Oman Downwinder' race, which unfolded over four legs: from Barr Al Hikman to Masirah Island, followed by a route from Masirah through Ras Al Ruwais, then from the Pink Lagoons to Al Ashkharah, and finally from Ras Al Jinz to Ras Al Hadd. In addition to the Downwinder, the festival featured the 'Kite Course' race along the shores of Barr Al Hikman, the 'Coastal Race' in Masirah Island, and the 'Slalom' event in Ras Al Hadd. Ayman bin Abdullah Al Ghafri was awarded first place in the second edition of the Oman Downwinder, finishing ahead of Mukhtar bin Abdulkarim Al Mujaini and Egypt's Ahmed Mohamed Gamal. The event highlighted the rich diversity of Oman's coastline and its capacity to host world-class international competitions. Meanwhile, in the Slalom race held in Sur, Majid Al Kharousi claimed the title after outperforming a competitive field. As one of three featured races during the festival, the Slalom further demonstrated the sport's variety and reinforced Oman's position as a versatile and attractive destination for global sporting events. Sultan bin Sulaiman Al Khudoori, Assets Manager at Omran Group, congratulated all of the participants for playing such an important role in supporting the tourism diversification objectives outlined in the National Tourism Strategy 2040 and showing what could be possible as Oman's coastal destinations grow into premier international venues for kiteboarding. Shaima Said Al Asmi, Events Specialist at Oman Sail shared her belief that each sporting event held in the Sultanate can build a legacy that contributes to tourism in each governorate across the nation and provides the impetus for SMEs, home-based businesses and local service providers to support current and future while also developing into national success stories. Sur — with its strategic location and deep-rooted maritime heritage — served as an ideal setting for the festival's grand finale. The strong public turnout underscored the growing interest in marine sports and highlighted their vital role in supporting the local economy and enhancing Oman's positioning as a leading destination for unique tourism experiences. The Oman Kite Festival serves as a platform to showcase the Sultanate's exceptional natural and marine assets, reinforcing its position on the global tourism map and capturing the attention of adventure sports enthusiasts and international sporting communities. The event further strengthens Oman's standing as a preferred destination for experiential and adventure-based tourism, while contributing to the vitality of the tourism sector and expanding opportunities to promote the country's diverse destinations.
Muscat Daily
4 days ago
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Oman Kite Festival 2025 wraps up with global participation
Sur – Oman Kite Festival 2025 concluded on July 24 after ten days of international competitions and coastal events held across several locations in the sultanate. Organised by Omran Group in collaboration with Oman Sail, Visit Oman and Oman Adventure Centre, the festival drew more than 90 athletes from around the world. The event aimed to promote adventure-based tourism by leveraging Oman's coastal geography and expanding the country's appeal as a destination for niche sports. The closing ceremony took place at The Beachfront in Sur, under the patronage of Dr Yahya bin Badr al Maawali, Governor of South Sharqiyah, in the presence of Dr Khamis Salim al Jabri, CEO of Oman Sail, and officials from partner entities and sponsors. The headline event – Oman Downwinder – featured four competitive legs: from Barr al Hikman to Masirah Island, then onward to Ras al Ruwais, followed by a route from the Pink Lagoons to Al Ashkharah, and concluding with a final stretch from Ras al Jinz to Ras al Hadd. Omani competitor Ayman bin Abdullah al Ghafri took first place in the Downwinder, ahead of Oman's Mukhtar bin Abdulkarim al Mujaini and Egypt's Ahmed Mohamed Gamal. Other races included the Kite Course at Barr al Hikman, the Coastal Race at Masirah Island and the Slalom event in Ras al Hadd. In the Slalom race held in Sur, Majid al Kharousi secured first place. Sultan bin Sulaiman al Khudoori, Assets Manager at Omran Group, congratulated participants and reaffirmed the festival's alignment with Oman's National Tourism Strategy 2040, which promotes sports and experience-led tourism. Shaima Said al Asmi, Events Specialist at Oman Sail, noted the importance of such events in supporting local economies and encouraging entrepreneurship. 'Each event has the potential to contribute to the tourism sector in governorates across Oman,' she said. Known for its maritime heritage, Sur provided the backdrop for the festival's finale. A strong public turnout highlighted growing domestic interest in marine sports and the potential of these to boost tourism and related services. Organisers noted that the festival continues to position Oman as a destination for adventure sports, while helping promote the country's natural assets to global sporting communities.
Observer
4 days ago
- Sport
- Observer
Oman Kite Festival 2025 concludes in Sur
The Oman Kite Festival 2025 came to a close after ten days of competitions and vibrant events held across several coastal locations in the Sultanate of Oman. The festival, which ran from July 15 to 24, brought together more than 90 athletes from around the world. Organized by OMRAN Group in partnership with Oman Sail, Visit Oman, and the Oman Adventure Centre, the festival aimed to promote adventure and experience-driven tourism by showcasing the Sultanate's diverse coastal landscapes and supporting the growth of unique tourism offerings across the country. The closing ceremony was held at The Beachfront in Sur, South al Sharqiyah, under the patronage of Dr. Yahya bin Badr Al Maawali, Governor of South Al Sharqiyah, and in the presence of Dr. Khamis Salim Al Jabri, CEO of Oman Sail, as well as senior representatives from OMRAN Group and sponsoring entities. The festival welcomed the participation of 90 athletes from around the world, who competed in a series of thrilling races. The highlight was the multi-stage 'Oman Downwinder' race, which unfolded over four legs: from Barr Al Hikman to Masirah Island, followed by a route from Masirah through Ras Al Ruwais, then from the Pink Lagoons to Al Ashkharah, and finally from Ras Al Jinz to Ras Al Hadd. In addition to the Downwinder, the festival featured the 'Kite Course' race along the shores of Barr Al Hikman, the 'Coastal Race' in Masirah Island, and the 'Slalom' event in Ras Al Hadd.
Times of Oman
6 days ago
- Sport
- Times of Oman
Oman Kite Festival 2025 concludes in Sur
Sur: Oman Kite Festival 2025 concluded on Thursday in the Wilayat of Sur in the South Al Sharqiyah Governorate. More than 90 athletes from around the world took part in the 10-day event. The closing ceremony was held under the auspices of Sheikh Dr. Yahya Badr Al Maawali, Governor of South Al Sharqiyah. The festival was organized by Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group), in cooperation with Oman Sail, Visit Oman and Oman Adventure Centre, as part of efforts to support adventure tourism and enhance the Sultanate of Oman's presence on the global sports and tourism map. At the conclusion of the event, Ayman Abdullah Al Ghafri was crowned winner of Oman Downwinder Race champion. Al Mukhtar Abdul-Karim Al Mujaini occupied second place, while 3rd place went to Egyptian athlete Ahmed Mohammed Jamal. Majid Al Kharousi won the Slalom race, which was held in the Wilayat of Sur.
Observer
7 days ago
- Business
- Observer
Oman Kite Festival shares the beauty of Al Ashkhara
MUSCAT: The penultimate leg of the Oman Downwinder, part of the Oman Kite Festival 2025 set off from the Pink Lagoon headed for Al Ashkharah, demonstrating the untapped natural beauty in the Al Sharqiyah South Governorate. Organised by OMRAN Group in partnership with Oman Sail, Visit Oman, and Oman Adventure Centre, the Oman Kite Festival reflects the commitment of all stakeholders to develop sports tourism and capitalise on Oman's unique coastline as a world-class tourism experience. Ayman bin Abdullah al Ghafri won the leg, ahead of Al Mukhtar bin Abdulkarim al Mujaini in second and Ahmed Mohammed from Egypt in third. These results puts Al Mukhtar bin Abdulkarim al Mujaini on top, with Ayman bin Abdullah al Ghafri second and Ahmed Mohammed in third. With just one more leg remaining, from Ras Al Jinz to Ras Al Hadd on July 24, the Oman Kite Festival 2025 has successfully showcased the potential of the Omani coastline to attract domestic and international tourists as well as reinforced the Sultanate of Oman's position on the international map of adventure and marine sports events. A slalom competition will also take place on July 24 at Ras Al Hadd, showing the complexity of kite surfing and the visual appeal from a spectator perspective with 90 top-ranked international Kite Festival athletes all taking part. This will be followed by the closing ceremony at Sur Waterfront where the prizes will be presented. In attendance will be the Governor of Al Sharqiyah South, Dr Yahya bin Badr al Maawali, Dr Hashil bin Obaid al Mahrouqi, CEO of OMRAN Group, Dr Khamis bin Salim al Jabri, CEO of Oman Sail, Senior management from both organisations, and representatives from event sponsors and partners. Abdullah al Farsi, Operation Manager, said, 'The Oman Kite Festival is a key part of OMRAN Group's ongoing efforts to promote adventure tourism and harness Oman's natural assets — especially in coastal destinations like Bar Al Hikman, Ras Al Hadd, Masirah Island, and Al Ashkharah. To be able to do this with such a high calibre of athlete and of competition highlights the potential for Oman's distinctive coastal destinations to become exceptional platforms for tourism experiences. 'The geographic and thematic expansion of this year's festival activities, building on the success of last year's Oman Downwinder, reflects the Group's vision to develop high - quality events that drive tourism movement.'
