UAE claim GCC Beach Games rowing gold

Sport360 staff 15:49 05/04/2015
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  • The UAE finished second behind Kuwait in the Double Sculls event.

    The 2nd GCC Beach Games are at full speed as competitions enter the third day, following the spectacular Opening Ceremony on Thursday, 2nd April. The Games will see over 300 athletes compete from across the GCC compete in 13 events across eight sporting disciplines held in al-Gharafa Club and Katara Cultural Village across seven days.

    Team Qatar lead the way in handball and secured a well-deserved 2-0 victory over Oman on Saturday, blazing ahead of the rest of the field with 6 points that guaranteed a gold medal regardless of the result of their upcoming match against Bahrain on Monday. The Omani handball team is likely to clinch silver medal ahead of Bahrain, who are yet to win a game.

    The hosts’ volleyball teams also performed well, with Qatar’s Team A defeating Oman and Team B defeating Kuwait. It means that both Qatar sides will play each other in the semi-finals, with Oman’s A and B teams also taking on their compatriots in a place in Monday’s final.

    In the football competition at al-Gharafa Club, the UAE topped the points table after their 4-1 victory over rivals Kuwait on Saturday. Bahrain currently sit second after defeating Team Qatar 2-1. The Beach football competitions will continue until the last day of the Games.

    Commenting on the progress of the 2nd GCC Beach Games, Director of PR for the Beach Games Organising Committee and the Qatar Olympic Committee, Mohamed al-Fadala said: “We are extremely pleased with the performance of our athletes in this incredibly competitive tournament and are honored to host such an exciting edition of the GCC Beach Games.

    “The Games have so far been a great success and will surely inspire a new generation of athletes, locally, regionally as well as internationally.”

    Meanwhile in Katara Cultural Village, the UAE had a day to remember in the rowing events. First, Ahmed Al-Humaidi claimed gold in the Single Sculls event, before the UAE’s Double Sculls team took home silver behind Kuwait. Bahrain finished third to clinch a bronze medal.

    The excitement is set to continue as the week progresses, with Sailing, Open Water Swimming and 3×3 Basketball matches set to begin from the 6th April onwards.

    After the first edition held in Bahrain in 2010, this year’s GCC Beach Games are held in Doha’s state-of-the-art facilities and iconic landmarks over an action-packed eight day sporting spectacle. The multi-purpose complex at Al-Gharafa Club is hosting the volleyball, handball, football and 3×3 basketball events, while Katara Cultural Village, situated on Doha’s Corniche, will host open water swimming, rowing and sailing.

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