Muscat - The penultimate stage of the Oman Downwinder, which is part of the Oman Kite Festival 2025, departs from the Pink Lagoon and travels to Al Ashkharah, showcasing the unexplored natural beauty of the South Al Sharqiyah Governorate. The Oman Kite Festival, organized by the OMRAN Group in collaboration with Oman Sail, Visit Oman, and the Oman Adventure Centre, exemplifies all stakeholders' commitment to promoting sports tourism and capitalizing on Oman's unique coastline as a world-class tourist destination.
Ayman Abdullah Al Ghafri won the leg, with Al Mukhtar Abdul Karim Al Mujainiin finishing second and Ahmed Mohammed of Egypt placing third. According to these results, Al Mukhtar Abdul Karim Al Mujainion is first, followed by Ayman Abdullah Al Ghafrisecond and Ahmed Mohammed.
With only one leg remaining, from Ras Al Jinz to Ras Al Hadd on July 24, the Oman Kite Festival 2025 has successfully demonstrated the Sultanate's coastline's potential to attract domestic and foreign visitors, as well as cemented the country's place on the international map of adventure and marine sports events.
A slalom race will also be held on July 24 at Ras Al Hadd, showcasing the technical aspect of kite surfing as well as its spectator attractiveness, with 90 top-ranked international Kite Festival competitors participating. Following this, a closing ceremony will be held at Sur Waterfront to award prizes. In attendance will be the Governor of South Al Sharqiyah, H. E. Dr. Yahya bin Badr Al Ma'awali, Dr. Hashil Obaid Al Mahrouqi, CEO of OMRAN Group, Dr. Khamis Salim Al Jabri, CEO of Oman Sail, senior management from both organizations, and representatives from event sponsors and partners.
According to Abdullah Al Farsi, operations manager, "The Oman Kite Festival is an important component of OMRAN Group's ongoing efforts to promote adventure tourism and utilize Oman's natural assets, particularly in coastal destinations such as Bar Al Hakman, Ras Al Hadd, Masirah, and Al Ashkharah. The ability to accomplish this with such a high quality of athlete and level of competition demonstrates the potential for Oman's unique coastal sites to develop into excellent destinations for tourist activities.
"The geographic and thematic extension of this year's festival activities, building on the success of last year's Oman Downwinder, reflects the Group's goal of creating high-quality events that promote tourism mobility. This has been an outstanding example of institutional collaboration, bringing together OMRAN Group, Oman Sail, and the national travel operator in collaboration with the South Al Sharqiyah and Al Wusta governorates, as well as other organizations and government agencies—all of which deserve our sincere thanks.
The Oman Kite Festival promotes the Sultanate's spectacular coastal and marine environment, strengthening its position on the global tourist map and drawing lovers of adventure sports and international sporting events. Based on the popularity of the 2024 Oman Downwinder, the event seeks to establish important coastal areas as top worldwide kiteboarding locations. It also helps to promote experience-driven tourism in unexplored locations, supports domestic travel, promotes community development, and raise awareness of Oman as a top destination for adventure and outdoor activities.
The event is organised by the OMRAN Group, Oman Sail, Visit Oman, and Oman Adventures Center in collaboration with the Governorates of South Al Sharqiyah and Al Wusta, Salty Rider, and Red Bull Oman.
