Saturday 04 / May / 2024
MUSCAT: Oman handball recorded a thrilling win over Qatar in the handball competition on Wednesday at the ongoing inaugural GCC Youth Games in the UAE.
Oman beat Qatar with a last-gasp goal to win 29-28 for their second win in the event. The national team had earlier defeated UAE after suffering defeats at the hands of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
Oman will now play Bahrain in the concluding match to determine the medal standings.
Elsewhere, Oman’s boys lost to Qatar 1-3 as table tennis competitions began at Shabab Al Ahli Club Hall in Dubai on Wednesday. The national girls’ team, comprising Talia Al Rawahi and Salma Al Nasri, also lost to Kuwait 0-3. In the evening session, the girls lost to Bahrain 0-3 while the boys lost to hosts UAE 0-3.
In volleyball, Oman spikers continued to disappoint as they were handed the fourth successive loss on Wednesday. Saudi Arabia beat Oman 3-0 and the national team will face Bahrain in their concluding league match.
Meanwhile, the national golf team arrived in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, after completing their training at the Al Mouj Golf in Muscat.
Opening ceremony
held at Dubai Opera
On Tuesday night, the formal opening ceremony of the Games took place at Dubai Opera.
The Sultanate of Oman delegation was led by HH Sayyid Azzan bin Qais Al Said, Oman Olympic Committee (OOC) vice-chairman, Taha Al Kishri, OOC secretary general, Qais Al Zakwani, OOC board member, Lujaina Mohsin Haider Darwish, OOC board member, Sanaa Al Busaidi, Oman Committee for Women’s Sports and Gender Equality chairperson, and Kazim Al Balushi, chef-de-mission.
The opening ceremony was held under the auspices of Sheikh Mansour Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, and Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid al Nuaimi, Vice President of the UAE Olympic Committee.
The first edition of the GCC Youth Games witnessed the participation of 3,500 boys and girls athletes competing in 25 sports at five different venues - Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, and Fujairah.
The ceremony, which lasted 40 minutes on Tuesday, included three themes: sustainability, cohesion, and youth, through the latest technological, artificial intelligence tools and using of sustainable materials, in addition to highlighting the deep-rooted fraternal relations between GCC people.
Lujaina Mohsin Darwish praises athletes’ performances
In her remarks after the opening ceremony, OOC board member Lujaina Mohsin Darwish said: “It was an amazing opening ceremony and it was a delightful experience attending it. The Games underlines the cohesion and cooperation between the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. We at the Oman Olympic Committee appreciate the commendable efforts made by the UAE Olympic Committee for the wonderful organisation and being such warm hosts.”
She added: “We are proud of the number of medals achieved by Omanplayers and wish other players the best in the remaining competitions. I am also very happy that our girls performed and brought laurels by winning many medals. It underlines that our players are talented and can achieve more laurels in the future.”
