Dubai - Reported by Hisham Jaafar:
The Kingdom of Bahrain has kicked off its participation in the first Gulf Youth Games, hosted by the United Arab Emirates from April 16 to May 3, 2024, with a strong start in Taekwondo. The Bahraini team clinched three gold and five bronze medals on the opening day of competitions at the Zayed Sports Complex in Fujairah.
The gold medals were claimed by Youssef Kasrawi in the under 78 kg category, Abdullah Al Haddi in the under 74 kg category, and Hessa Bin Thani in the 46 kg category. The bronze medals were secured by Nouf Hassan (under 55 kg), Abdullah Al Tahaina (under 86 kg), Youssef Hassan Qambar (under 45 kg), Aisha Khaled (over 68 kg), and Fatima Makki (under 49 kg). The Bahraini Taekwondo delegation, under the guidance of coaches Abdul Hamid Ibrahim and Nasser Al-Alwan, concluded their tournament run with a total of eight medals.
The event, which saw the participation of 124 athletes from Gulf countries, was attended by Dr. Ahmed Hamdan Al Zeyoudi, President of the UAE Taekwondo Federation, alongside several heads of Gulf federations and mission officials.
Multiple Sports Launch Today for Bahrain
On the third day of the Gulf Youth Games, Bahrain's teams began competing in four sports: sailing, athletics, Paralympic athletics, and jiu-jitsu.
Sailing events started at 10:00 AM Bahrain time and will continue through April 21 at the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club. The competitions feature 12 races across various classes including Optimist, Alka 4, and Alka 6, with athletes like Khalifa Al-Dosari, Walid Abdullah, Malak Al-Dossari, and Abrar Al-Ali participating.
Athletics events began at the Dubai Police Officers Club at 3:15 PM. The events were postponed from Wednesday due to weather fluctuations to ensure the safety of the athletes. Ahmed Sabry participated in the high jump final.
Paralympic athletics kicked off at 8:00 AM with Ahmed Noah competing in the 110m and 200m wheelchair races, alongside Hussein Mahmoud in shot put and discus (standing) finals. Fatima Ahmed and Zaina Al Balushi took part in the doubles shot put (standing).
Jiu-Jitsu competitions started at 10:00 AM in the Mubadala Arena, featuring competitors such as Ahmed Al-Banna (under-62 kg), Adnan Sharaf (under-62 kg), Hamad Mohseni (52 kg), Youssef Mercer (56 kg), and Abdul Rahman Al-Sayed (96 kg).
All Bahraini teams are motivated to perform at their best, aiming to reach the finals and ascend the podiums in their respective sports.
Bahrain’s Badminton and Chess Teams Arrive for Gulf Youth Games
The Bahraini badminton and chess teams arrived yesterday morning at Dubai Airport, ready to compete in the first Gulf Youth Games. The badminton squad features players Sayed Ibrahim Khalil, Nasser Muhammad, Nour Fardin, Fatima Sayed Ibrahim, and is coached by Ahmed Al-Jalad. The chess team comprises Marwan Ali, Muhammad Al-Moussawi, Maram Al-Moussawi, and is guided by coach Musab Shaker.
Ali Yassin Appointed to Gulf Youth Games Organizing Committee
Ali Yassin, an international referee and technical administrator with the Bahraini Asian Athletics Federation, has been appointed to the organizing committee of the first Gulf Youth Games. His responsibilities include overseeing the athletics competitions and conducting an international arbitration course for referees, sponsored by Mohammed Abdullah Al Marri, President of the UAE Federation. The course, starting today, features morning and evening sessions combining theoretical lectures and practical applications.
Yassin will also serve on the refereeing committee for the upcoming Asian Youth Championship in the UAE, leveraging his extensive experience from his involvement in Gulf, Arab, Asian, and international championships.
Gulf Youth Games Enriched with Cultural and Educational Programs
In line with the slogan "Our Gulf is One... Our Youth is Promising," the Gulf Youth Games in the UAE are not just about sports but also include educational and artistic workshops. These activities aim to enhance participants' understanding and performance in sports through visits to tourist and heritage sites across the Emirates, fostering cooperation among Gulf Council countries.
Bahrain’s Football Team Faces Setback in Opening Match
Bahrain’s youth football team, Al-Ahmar, experienced a disappointing start at the Gulf Youth Games, losing 1-0 to Kuwait in their opening match at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Despite a strong performance and several scoring opportunities, Al-Ahmar could not capitalize and conceded a goal in the second half. The team is set to face the UAE national team in their second match of the tournament this Friday, aiming for a better outcome to boost their standing in the competition.
