Gulf sports are a bridge for rapprochement and class unity

Yesterday, His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Olympic Committee, witnessed the opening ceremony of the fourth edition of the Gulf Games, hosted by Qatar, during the period from May 11 to 22, where the UAE is represented by 164 male and female athletes, 115 male and 49 female players, competing in 17 individual and team sports.

On this occasion, His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: “Today, at the opening of the Fourth Gulf Games in Doha, we reaffirm our firm belief that Gulf sports represent a bridge for rapprochement and unity of ranks, and a platform for consolidating the values of brotherhood and honorable competition among the people of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. We are proud of the participation of the people of the Emirates in this great Gulf sports forum, as they carry the ambitions and determination of their homeland, inspired by the vision of our wise leadership in empowering sports and athletes, and enhancing the country’s presence. In various regional and international forums, we wish all participating delegations good luck and success, and the sister State of Qatar continues to excel in hosting major sporting events, which reflects the advanced position that Gulf sports now occupy on the global stage.”

The delegation accompanying His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum included the Minister of Sports, Vice President of the UAE Olympic Committee and Head of the Executive Office, Dr. Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi, the Secretary General of the UAE Olympic Committee, Faris Mohammed Al Mutawa, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Sports, Ghanem Mubarak Al Hajri, and the Acting Chargé d’Affairs at the UAE Embassy to the State of Qatar, Rashid Abdul Rahman Al Ali. His Highness was received upon his arrival in the Qatari capital, Doha, by the Secretary General of the Olympic Committee. Qatar Airways, Jassim bin Rashid Al Buainain.

The opening ceremony was held in Al Shaqab Indoor Square in Doha, and witnessed an artistic show that included various acts that reflected the Qatari and Gulf heritage, in addition to an operetta entitled “One Gulf… One Heart.” The state flag was carried at the opening ceremony by Sheikh Ali Jamal bin Nasser Al Nuaimi, the knight of our national team, and the player of our national taekwondo team, Shouq Al Hammadi.

The list of sports in which the UAE participates includes a wide range of games, including: table tennis, equestrian, swimming, bowling, billiards, boxing, fencing, and archery, in addition to 3×3 basketball, taekwondo, athletics, handball, snooker, indoor volleyball, bow and arrow, padel tennis, and karate.

The tournament’s competitions will be held in 10 sports facilities: the Women’s Hall, Aspire Dome, Qatar Sports Club, Khalifa International Tennis, Squash and Badminton Complex, Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation Hall, Al Gharafa Sports Club, Lusail Shooting Range, Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, Qatar Bowling Federation Hall, and Al Duhail Sports Hall.

Bahrain hosted the first edition of the Gulf Games in 2011, with the participation of six Gulf countries and approximately 1,500 players, competing in 11 sports. The UAE succeeded in achieving fourth place after winning 26 colored medals, including five gold, 10 silver, and 11 bronze.

The second edition of the Gulf Games, which was held in the Saudi city of Dammam in 2015, is considered the best participation of the country since the launch of the event, as the UAE succeeded in achieving second place, after winning 73 colored medals, including 26 gold, 20 silver, and 27 bronze.

The third edition of the tournament was held in Kuwait, in 2022, with the participation of six Gulf countries and more than 1,500 players, competing in 16 sports. The UAE achieved third place in the medal table with 50 colored medals, 18 gold, 16 silver, and 16 bronze.

The UAE volleyball team will begin its matches against Qatar on May 16, then meet successively the teams of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, before concluding its participation against the Sultanate of Oman on May 22, as part of competitions held in a single-round league system.

• 164 male and female athletes representing the UAE in 17 individual and team sports.