DUBAI: Oman national taekwondo team began their action with great achievement as they grabbed five medals on the opening day of the first GCC Youth Games, hosted by the UAE from April 16 to May 2. All GCC countries are competing in 24 sports in the Games.
Oman Olympic committee is participating with around 200 athletes competing in 15 sports, including sailing, football, golf, taekwondo, water sports, athletics, handball, volleyball, basketball, chess, fencing, table tennis, billiards, snooker and equestrian in addition to the para athletics team.
The Oman taekwondo team achieved five medals, including four gold and one silver. Dawood al Yousifi succeeded in snatching the first gold medal in the 33-37 kg weight competition after defeating UAE's Hamid Mohammed to become the first player to win a medal in this tournament’s record.
Ziyad al Balushi won the second gold in 37-41 kg, after defeating Saudi Arabia's Mohammed Abdulrahman. Muhannad al Hajri claimed the third gold medal in the 49-53 kg category after his victory over UAE's Youssef al Antali. Omani girl Dania al Abdali won the fourth gold in the 37-41 km weight, after defeating UAE's Magda Rashid. Youssef al Zadjali won the silver in the weight of 45-49 kg, after he lost to UAE's Nasser al Muhairi in the final.
The training sessions for all teams, including athletics and sailing, were postponed due to the general climatic conditions in the GCC region, in addition to the opening football match between Oman and UAE, which was scheduled for Monday.
SAILING BEGINS TODAY
Oman sailing team will begin the competitions on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi Marine and Sailing Sports Club, where the first day witnesses the launch of the Optimus class, with the participation of five of the team’s sailors in the team category.
Oman are participating with nine sailors in three categories. In Optimus, represented by the Arab Championship, Tamim al Balushi, Hod al Nawfali, Omani girl Tarteel al Hasani, Mohammed al Qasimi and Khamis al Mashaykhi will participate. Alka 4 competitions is represented by sailors Abdullatif al Qasimi and Firas al Hashimi. The Alka 6 is represented by sailors Hatem al Araimi and Elias al Fudaili.
Athletics competitions begin on Wednesday at the Dubai Police Officers Club and will continue until April 19. The Omani athletics delegation was represented by Hamoud bin Abdullah al Dalhami, team coach, along with the team’s manager, Fawzi bin Mubarak al Kiyoumi.
Oman athletics team delegation, consisting of 12 athletes (8 male and 4 female), participates in various athletics competitions, namely: 100 metres, 200 metres, 400 metres, 800 metres, 1,500 metres, 3000 metres, long jump and high jump, shot put, discus and hammer throw.
On the first day of athletics, Oman will compete in the hammer throw competitions for men, high jump for men, 100 metres race for men, 400 metres race for women, 800 metres race for men and 1,500 metres race for women.
The national volleyball team has finished their internal camp in Suhar ahead of travelling to Dubai on Wednesday. The team will open their campaign by meeting the UAE on Saturday, and then play against Kuwait on Sunday, then with Qatari team, and then with the Saudi team, and will conclude matches against the Bahraini team on the April 25.
The Oman chess team delegation arrived in Sharjah on Tuesday, after completing the training camp at Al Amal Club. The team includes 12 players: Ahmed al Rahbi, Firas al Lawati, Mohammed al Riyami, Mohammed al Mahrouqi, Mohammed al Riyami, Mohammed al Balushi, Doaa al Muqbali, Hoor al Shukaili, Maryam al Balushi, Nour al Ghafri, Reem al Balushi and Reem al Shukaili.
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