Dubai, April 23
Oman under-17 football team claimed the silver medal in the first GCC Youth Games after they defeated Bahrain 4-1 on Monday night in Abu Dhabi. The hosts UAE won the gold medal after 2-0 win against Kuwait, who claimed the bronze.
The first edition of GCC Youth Games is being hosted by UAE, from April 16 to May 2, with participants of more than 3,500 GCC athletes competing in 24 games. Oman are 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.
After the conclusion of five-day chess competition, Oman bagged four medals. Ahmed al Rahbi won a silver in the under-18 individual rapid chess. Oman claimed three medals in team rapid chess category —a silver in the under-14 girls team and a bronze each in under-18 male and female sections.
Omani sailors won seven medals —three gold, two silver and two bronze medals.
Oman sailing team clinched the gold in optimist team category, Tamem al Balushi claimed silver medals in general optimist category and male optimist category. Tarteel al Hasani won bronze in female optimist category. Abdullatif al Qasimi won gold in ILCA4 class, while Elyas al Fedhaili struck gold in ILCA6 and his teammate Hatim al Erami claimed bronze in same class.
11 MEDALS IN TAEKWONDO
The Oman taekwondo team bagged 11 medals, five medals were on the first day (Tuesday), including four gold and one silver. Dawood al Yousifi won gold in the 33-37 kg. Ziyad al Balushi won the second gold in 37-41 kg. Muhannad al Hajri claimed the third gold in 49-53 kg. Omani girl Dania al Abdali won the fourth gold in the 37-41 kg. Youssef al Zadjali won the silver in 45-49 kg.
Oman succeeded in winning six medals on the second day (Wednesday). Shahnaz al Maawali won gold in the 44 kg. Al Ezz al Maawali claimed gold in 68 kg. Qaboos al Balushi won a silver in 68 kg. Fida al Barwani won gold in 52 kg. Hind al Balushi took silver. Abdulrahman al Jabri earned a gold.
ATHLETES SHINE WITH 11 MEDALS
Oman national athletics team concluded their great competition with 11 medals, which was held at Dubai Police Officers from April 18 to 20.
On the first day (Thursday) of competitions, the athletic team won three medals with Samar al Yarubi clinching a gold in the 150-metre race, while Ghaya al Saadi also took gold in 400-metre race and Ahmed al Jabri claimed a bronze in the 500 metres race.
The Oman athletics team won three bronze medals on the second day (Friday) with Kaltham al Jabri coming third in shot put, Al Ayham al Fadhaili finishing third in high jump and Azza al Hanai bagging the third medal in shot put.
On the third day (Saturday), Oman athletes claimed five medals. Kaltham al Jabri won the gold in discus throw. Moayed al Badri won bronze in 400-metre race, while Azza al Hinai won bronze in 200 metres race. Oman took bronze medals in both boys and girls medley relays.
SIX MEDALS FOR PARA ATHLETES
On the other hand, Oman's para athletes completed their participation with six medals — three gold, two silver and a bronze.
Faisal al Balushi won gold medals in 200 metres sprint and long jump, and grabbed a silver medal in 100 metres. Maryam al Badi won gold in long jump, a silver in 100 metres race and a bronze in 200 metres race.
Taha bin Sulaiman al Kishari, Oman Olympic Committee Secretary-General, said, “We are delighted with Omani athletes' achievements in all the events as they succeeded in grabbing several medals. This is a good indicator for this category, which has proven its worth, as they represented the Sultanate of Oman well.”
“So far, the taekwondo, athletics, para athletes and sailing teams have succeeded, and the chess team adds a new achievement despite the limited number of participation in each section compared to other countries,” he concluded.
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