MUSANDAM, OMAN: From 15 – 19 November, the 2022 Musandam Cross Festival successfully went ahead as an exciting celebration of off-road multi-sport events in Musandam Governorate’s magnificent sea and mountainous terrain.
The festival was launched under the auspices of His Excellency Dr. Saeed bin Humaid Al Harthy, the Wali of Khasab, in the presence of Musandam Governorate representatives, participating athletes, supporters, and members of the Khasab and Musandam communities.
During the launch, His Excellency was also on hand to inaugurate the official 2022 Musandam Cross Festival village at the iconic Khasab Fort. The festival village served as a family entertainment arena and central hub to highlight the many adventure sport and adventure tourism opportunities in the region. The village also included an exhibition for local SMEs and traditional craftsmen to display and promote their products to festival attendees, with support by Oman’s SMEs Development Authority.
Along with its off-road triathlon, duathlon, trail runs, and the highly popular kids’ fun run and aquathon, the Musandam Cross Festival provided a prime opportunity for competing athletes and their families to immerse themselves in the breathtaking beauty of Musandam.
Oman’s Musandam Governorate – separated from the rest of Oman by the UAE – is located on the northern tip of the Arabian Peninsula. With spectacular sea and mountain scenery, as well as dozens of fjord-like khors, magnificent marine life to explore while diving, pristine beaches, picturesque fishing villages, and premium luxury hotels, Musandam makes for a modern-day adventure sport paradise.
Several multi-sport themed activities were scheduled for kids during the festival – which encouraged them to start endurance and adventure sports as a healthy and highly rewarding lifestyle activity.
Commenting on the 2022 Musandam Cross Festival success, Mohamed Obaidani, CEO, Triathlon Middle East LLC, stated: “The 2022 Musandam Cross Festival shined a spotlight on the Musandam Governorate’s spectacular sea and mountain scenery, and it highlighted the rich local heritage and culture of the Musandam people – while providing a warm Omani welcome for the regional and international competitors taking part.”
“It was a true honour to welcome the Wali of Khasab, His Excellency Dr. Saeed bin Humaid Al Harthy, to launch this landmark event for the Musandam Governorate and Oman – as well as for our neighbours the United Arab Emirates, who have an enthusiastic triathlon and endurance sports community,” Mohamed Obaidani explained.
The Triathlon Middle East CEO added that the festival served as a flagship event for Musandam’s winter-season calendar of activities, and another highlight for the Musandam Governorate as it seeks to boost the local tourism economy with a special emphasis on adventure tourism and adventure sports.
With the 2023 XTERRA MUSANDAM off-road triathlon now scheduled to take place from 9 – 12 March next year (the first time an XTERRA off-road triathlon will take place in the Middle East), Musandam is becoming a globally-renowned destination for hosting adventure sports events in a spectacular wilderness setting, and in one of the “Capitals of Adventure Tourism” in Oman.
The Governorate of Musandam and the global energy company Oxy supported the 2022 Musandam Cross Festival as official sponsors, while the Musandam Municipality, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, and the SMEs Development Authority were in attendance as official partners. The festival also welcomed as partners the Oman Triathlon Committee, Sponsor Sport Food, and Adventures Box.
Endurance sport enthusiasts can view highlights from the 2022 Musandam Cross Festival and find out more about March 2023’s XTERRA MUSANDAM off-road triathlon via the TRI.ME social media handle @tri.m.e
