The Defence Ministry, represented by the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO), supervised the launching of the award, which is the newest and the most prestigious award in sailing. The prestigious award will support training in sailing and enhance friendship among crew members of the ships taking part in different world sailing races. Commodore Yaqoub bin Yusuf al Kamshaki, Director-General of RNO Administration and Finance, said that the Sultan Qaboos Sailing Award comes as continuation of Oman’s glorious maritime history, which has played a pioneering role in many sailing achievements made by the Sultanate throughout the last 41 years of the Renaissance under the wise leadership of His Majesty the Sultan. He pointed out that the award will provide 100 youths with the opportunity to take part in long sailing boat races, being held every year. The award, which also includes a scholarship scheme, is the most prestigious award that will be presented during the annual conference of the Sail Training International whose events are launched for the first time this year.

Dr Zainab bint Ali al Qasmiyah, Sultanate’s Ambassador to Germany, who attended the launching ceremony, said the award comes as an addition to the interests of His Majesty the Sultan to affirm the leading maritime role of the Sultanate throughout the ages. She pointed out that Sohar, Jewel of Muscat and Shabab Oman affirm the maritime role of Oman. The Sail Training International head in a speech said the Sultan Qaboos Sailing Award will generate fair competition among racers. He pointed out that nomination for the competition will be opened soon through the 26 organizations for sailing that are members of the Sail Training International.

He noted that steady strides will be made to secure the largest possible number of youths from various nationalities from this generous grant of His Majesty the Sultan. He said that the award will be granted to one of the crew members or the operating agency for training or any of the organizations operating in training in sailing in recognition of the good services they are providing to help youths in this field.

Stavanger Mayor hailed the award and the status it will enjoy in tall ship races as it is the newest award granted in this field. He expressed his thanks to the Sultanate for selecting Stavanger to launch the award.The Sail Training International assists youths and those with special needs to train on sailing. It is a non-profit organization based in the United Kingdom. ISAF, in collaboration with the RNO, will supervise the Sultan Qaboos Sailing Award. A number of youths are being trained in sailing, the first batch to be selected at the award programme for the training grants, which focus on youths and those with special needs