Friday 03 / May / 2024
Muscat: Ahmed Al Rahbi provided the only silver lining of the day when he claimed the only medal for Oman at the ongoing inaugural GCC Youth Games in the UAE on Monday.
Ahmed, competing in the U18 rapid chess individual event, picked up a silver to raise Oman’s overall medals tally to 39.
His silver also concluded Oman’s campaign in the chess event with the national team collecting a total of four medals. The other three medals were won in the team events with Oman girls claiming a silver and a bronze in the U14 and U18 events respectively and the boys’ taking a bronze in the U18 team category.
Ruqaya Al Balushi, manager of Oman’s chess delegation was overall “satisfied” with the teams’ results. “We have young Omani players and they have done very well by claiming a total of four medals.”
There were disappointments in the other games for Oman on Monday. Oman lost to Qatar 25-16, 25-23, 25-15 for their third successive defeat in the volleyball event to end their medal hopes in Dubai. Oman had previously lost to UAE and Kuwait.
The handball team lost to Kuwait 36-28 at Al Bataeh Cultural Club hall in Sharjah.
Opening ceremony on Tuesday
The official opening ceremony of the first GCC Youth Games will be held at the Dubai Opera on Tuesday.
Oman delegation will be headed by HH Sayyid Azzan bin Kais Al Said, Oman Olympic Committee (OOC) vice-president, and includes Taha Al Kishry, OOC secretary general, Qais Al Zakwani, Lujaina bint Mohsin Haider Darwish, OOC members, Sanaa Al Busaidi, chairperson of the Oman Committee for Women’s Sports and Gender Equality, and Kazim Al Balushi, chef-de-mission.
The opening ceremony is expected to be attended by 1,500 people. The ceremony will be 40 minutes long and will feature a variety of performances that highlight the themes of sustainability, unity, and youth.
The opening ceremony will be a creative celebration of the Gulf region’s culture and heritage. It will feature a variety of performances, including traditional dances, music, and acrobatics. The ceremony will also use cutting-edge technology to create a visually stunning experience.
One of the key themes of the opening ceremony will be sustainability. The ceremony will use sustainable materials and practices, such as recycled materials and LED lighting. The goal is to create a beautiful and environmentally friendly event.
The opening ceremony will also be a celebration of the unity of the Gulf region. The ceremony will feature performances from all six GCC countries, and it will highlight the shared values and traditions of the region.
