Oman's rowing team will depart for Brazil on November 14 to participate in the final of the Star League Gold Cup (SSL) 2026. This international competition will be held from November 15 to December 13 in Rio de Janeiro, in the waters of Guanabara Bay, with 40 national teams from around the world competing for global honor.
Oman's team readiness for the competitions
After an intensive training period in Switzerland, the Omani team is fully prepared for these competitions. During this period, team members were able to enhance their skills in boat handling and tactical aspects. Oman's representatives in this competition include 10 prominent rowers from Oman Sail, led by Nasser Al-Mashari (team captain and manager). Other team members include Hussein Al-Jabri, Yasser Al-Rahbi, Ali Al-Balushi, Akram Al-Wahibi, Hitham Al-Wahibi, Raed Al-Hadi, Abdulrahman Al-Mashari, Ibtisam Al-Salmi, and Marwa Al-Khaifi.
Challenges and goals of Oman's team
Nasser Al-Mashari spoke about the team's readiness and expectations, saying: "We are incredibly proud to represent our country in Brazil. Recent training in Switzerland was vital for enhancing our performance and creating stronger cohesion among team members. We know that competing against 39 top rowing countries in Rio de Janeiro will present tough challenges, including reading unpredictable winds and the currents of Guanabara, and maintaining stability throughout a month-long competition. Nevertheless, our goal is clear: to leverage our strong initial form and deliver the best possible performance.
Hashim Al-Rashdi, the performance head coach, highlighted the importance of this competition for Oman's rowing, adding: "Participating in the Gold Cup final represents a significant milestone for rowing in Oman. Competing against 39 top national teams in identical boats provides a valuable experience for our rowers and tests them against the best in the sport. Our performance in the qualifiers was very notable and reflects the team's potential. This global experience will accelerate the development of our national rowers and encourage the next generation in our country, enhancing Oman's reputation as a strong competitive nation in global rowing.
All teams in this competition will compete on identical SSL 47 boats, which are high-performance monohulls. This creates a level playing field where success depends entirely on tactical skills, execution speed, and flawless teamwork.
This competition began with the participation of 66 countries, and teams competed in the continental qualifiers. Ultimately, 40 teams will head to the waters of Guanabara Bay in Rio de Janeiro to compete in the qualifying rounds, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and grand final for the Gold Cup prize. Additionally, the final qualifying round for Pan-American countries will be held before the final stage to provide another opportunity for countries.
The group stage will start on November 19, 2026, and continue until November 22.
