Omani boats made waves to claim top positions in the prestigious Traditional Rowing Boat Race held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad’s humanitarian work and youth affairs representative and Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
The 3,000-metre race, organised by the Inherited Traditional Sports Committee’s (Mawrooth), saw the Omani boat Balarab, led by captain Humaid Al Bahri, claim first place while Ahd Oman, led by Hamood Al Bahri, secure third position.
Bahraini boat Isar 1, captained by Abdulla Al Hadi, came in second.
This event followed the Shaikh Khalid Bin Hamad Cup round, where Bahraini team ‘Sumum’ secured first place, followed by Omani team Thahab in second and Isar 1 in third.
The boats set off from Khalifa Bin Salman Park in Hidd and proceeded to the marine area opposite the Bahrain National Museum in Manama.
The race was the third event in the eighth edition of the Nasser Bin Hamad Marine Heritage season, which has become one of the most prominent events celebrating Bahrain’s deep-rooted maritime heritage.
Its current edition, which is considered to be the largest yet, opened on July 27 and witnessed a record 300-plus participants of various age groups and communities from Bahrain and the GCC.
The traditional rowing competition saw a strong turnout, underscoring the growing popularity of traditional sports in the region, which remain a symbol of national identity and pride in the kingdom’s rich maritime legacy.
It reflects national and regional interest in reviving sea values and strengthening their presence in the hearts of new generations.
Previously held contests included open swimming, underwater breath-holding, Al Nahham sea-chanting and pearl diving.
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