MUSCAT : Dr. Ahmed bin Zaher Al-Alawi, Chairman of the Omani Air Sports Committee, said the committee organised more than 20 local events and championships across several governorates, covering paragliding, radio-controlled flying, kite flying, sport drones, air shows and introductory gatherings. These activities attracted over 600 participants from different age groups.

He added that, in collaboration with sports teams, the committee delivered more than 25 specialised training programmes and workshops in aviation, air safety and technical organisation, qualifying around 150 Omani pilots and enhancing their technical readiness in line with approved international standards. Safety, he stressed, remains a top priority across all activities.

Dr. Al-Alawi noted a marked expansion in external participation, with Oman taking part in over 15 regional and international championships and activities across GCC, Arab and Asian countries. These participations yielded advanced results, reflecting the rapid technical development of air sports at the local level, while also enabling experience exchange with international federations and exposure to the latest systems and technologies.

He said the committee has also implemented an integrated annual calendar of internal activities, including public air shows, introductory forums and awareness programmes, in cooperation with government and private entities. These initiatives aim to boost community awareness, spread air sports culture and promote sports tourism in the Sultanate.

Looking ahead, Dr. Al-Alawi said the committee plans to organise more than 10 local events and championships this year, participate in further international events, and work towards hosting an international air sports championship and a specialised global exhibition to stimulate sports tourism and enhance economic returns.

Highlighting tourism-related activities, he said tandem paragliding is emerging as a popular global recreational and tourist experience, offering safe aerial views of mountains, coastlines and valleys. Conducted with certified professional pilots, the flights require no prior experience, typically last between 10 and 30 minutes, and comply with strict safety procedures, including equipment checks, weather monitoring and civil aviation regulations.

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