Oman launches marina at Al Musanah Sport City

Oman will today open a new marina at the US$181.8m Al Musanah Sport City development, ahead of the venue’s hosting of the World Championship for Laser Boats at the end of 2013, Oman News Agency reported.

The marina, located 85km from the capital Muscat, will contain 54 docking sites, a boat yard and workshops. The 1m sqm development previously hosted the 2nd Asian Beach Games in 2010, a multi-sport event sanctioned by the Olympic Council of Asia.

With a total of 14 sports, the 2010 tournament was largest sporting event ever held in the sultanate and coincided with the country’s 40th National Day celebrations.

Following the Games, the site was transformed into a mixed-use residential, commercial and tourism destination.

Oman Sail inaugurated its second sailing school in February 2011, which forms part of a five-year plan of establishing seven sailing schools along the coast of Oman by 2015, with a target of teaching 30,000 Omanis how to sail in that timeframe.