The Oman Kite Festival 2025 in Muscat concluded after ten days of thrilling contests and colorful events that took place at numerous coastal sites throughout the Sultanate of Oman. Over 90 athletes from all over the world participated in the festival, which took place between July 15 and July 24.
By highlighting the Sultanate's varied coastal scenery and fostering the development of distinctive tourism options throughout the nation, the festival—which was organized by the Omran Group in collaboration with Visit Oman, Oman Sail, and the Oman Adventure Centre—aimed to advance adventure and experiential tourism.
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 top officials from Omran Group, supporting organizations, and strategic partners, the closing ceremony took place at The Beachfront in Sur, South Al Sharqiyah.
Ninety athletes from all over the globe took part in the festival, participating in a number of exciting competitions. The multi-stage "Oman Downwinder" race, which took place over four stages, was the highlight: first from Barr Al Hikman to Masirah Island, then from Masirah to Ras Al Ruwais, then from the Pink Lagoons to Al Ashkharah, and lastly from Ras Al Jinz to Ras Al Hadd.
The "Coastal Race" on Masirah Island, the "Kite Course" race down the shores of Barr Al Hikman, and the "Slalom" event in Ras Al Hadd were also part of the festival, along with the "Downwinder. "
In the second iteration of the Oman Downwinder, Ayman bin Abdullah Al Ghafri won first place, beating out Mukhtar bin Abdulkarim Al Mujaini and Ahmed Mohamed Gamal of Egypt. The rich diversity of Oman's coastline and its ability to host international competitions of the highest caliber were showcased at the event.
Majid Al Kharousi won the title in the Slalom race in Sur after defeating a strong field. The Slalom, one of the festival's three featured races, further highlighted the diversity of the sport and solidified Oman's status as a flexible and appealing location for international sporting competitions.
As Assets Manager at Omran Group, Sultan bin Sulaiman Al Khudoori praised all of the participants for their crucial role in advancing the tourism diversification goals set forth in the National Tourism Strategy 2040 and for demonstrating the potential of Oman's coastal destinations to become top global kiteboarding destinations.
Events Specialist at Oman Sail, Shaima Said Al Asmi, expressed her conviction that every athletic event held in the Sultanate has the potential to establish a legacy that promotes tourism in every governorate throughout the nation and inspires SMEs, home-based enterprises, and local service providers to support the present and future while also growing into national success stories.
The festival's grand finale took place in Sur, which was a perfect venue due to its strategic position and rich seafaring history. The increasing appeal of marine sports was evident in the high number of people who attended, which also emphasized their critical contribution to promoting the local economy and improving Oman's position as a top location for unique tourism experiences.
By showcasing the Sultanate's outstanding natural and marine resources, the Oman Kite Festival helps to solidify its place on the world tourism map and draw the attention of international sporting communities and adventure sports aficionados. Additionally, the event improves Oman's reputation as a top location for adventure and experiential tourism, promotes the tourism industry's vibrancy, and opens up new avenues for showcasing the nation's varied attractions.
