Emirates - Reported by Hisham Jaafar:
The inaugural Gulf Youth Games opened with a vibrant ceremony at the Dubai Opera House, marking a high point for the United Arab Emirates as it hosts this significant regional sports event for youth. The official opening on April 23, 2024, drew an audience of 1,500 people and featured a 40-minute artistic presentation that showcased sustainability, cohesion, and youth through performances inspired by the rich heritage of the UAE.
Ceremony Highlights
The Dubai Opera, a landmark known for its architectural blend of modernity and tradition, set the stage for the event, which was rich with performances that utilized advanced technologies and artificial intelligence to depict a dynamic vision of innovation and excellence. These performances highlighted the cultural and historical significance of the UAE and the broader Gulf Cooperation Council, reflecting the event’s theme, “Our Gulf is One... Our Youth is Promising.”
Sporting Achievements
As the Games progress, Bahrain's teams continue to excel, increasing their medal count to 34, including 9 gold, 11 silver, and 14 bronze. The badminton team concluded its participation with a total of 5 medals, securing a final bronze in the mixed team competition, bringing their efforts to a fruitful close.
Volleyball Team Secures Another Win
In a thrilling match, the Bahrain National Volleyball team secured its third consecutive victory, navigating a challenging game against the Saudi team. The match, held at the Al-Nasr Club hall in Dubai, ended with scores of 25-19, 22-25, 25-20, 21-25, 15-17, showcasing the technical prowess and tenacity of the Bahraini players. This win brings the team’s total to 8 points, solidifying their lead and advancing them closer to the gold medal, with crucial matches against the UAE and Oman still to come.
Handball Team Secures Crucial Win
Bahrain's national handball team achieved its first victory of the Gulf Youth Games against Qatar with a commanding score of 32-21 in the third-round match held at the Al-Bataeh Club Hall in Sharjah. Leading from the first half with a score of 15-8, the team's win revitalizes their hopes of competing for the bronze medal. The team is poised to continue its strong performances in upcoming matches against the UAE and Oman to secure a podium finish. Following the match, Sayed Ahmed Ali was named the best player for his outstanding contribution and was honored by Majdi Mirza, a member of the technical committee of the Gulf Games and the Board of Directors of the Bahrain Football Association.
Cycling Team Embarks on Gulf Games Journey
The national cycling team kicked off its participation at the Gulf Youth Games early today at 7:00 AM at the Abu Dhabi Cycling Club. The cyclists begin their challenge with the individual "Against the Clock" competition in the youth and junior categories. The team's events, which span three days, will include individual time trials and general classifications.
Day of Rest for Volleyball and Handball Teams
Both the volleyball and handball teams are observing a rest day today, in line with the scheduled tournament dates. They will resume action tomorrow, with the volleyball team facing the UAE and the handball team also taking on the Emirati national team.
Football Team Concludes with Loss to Oman
In their final match at the Gulf Youth Games, Bahrain's football team was defeated by Oman with a score of 4-1 at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Mohammed Qasim scored the sole goal for Bahrain from a penalty kick in the 46th minute. The team concluded the tournament with three matches played.
Table Tennis Team Arrives in Dubai
The Bahrain national table tennis team has arrived in Dubai to participate in the Gulf Youth Games. The team is set to compete vigorously in the tournament, which starts tomorrow at the Shabab Al Ahli Club in Dubai. Representing Bahrain are players Mohamed Nad, Hussein Jaber, Majed Qassem, Ali Youssef, Fatima Al-Aali, Rayan Emad, Dana Mohamed, and Kinda Mahmoud, all aiming to achieve top results in their respective categories.
