Dubai: Oman golf team grabbed a silver while Omani swimmer Mishal Salim claimed bronze and billiards team won bronze on the day 13th of the first GCC Youth Games on Sunday.
Oman’s medal tally rose to 43 medals in the first edition of GCC Youth Games, being held in the UAE from April 16 to May 2. Oman athletes were able to collect 14 gold, 10 silver, and 19 bronze medals from 15 sports, including sailing, football, golf, taekwondo, water sports, athletics, handball, volleyball, basketball, chess, fencing, table tennis, billiards, snooker and equestrian.
Oman billiards team grabbed bronze in nine-ball doubles on Sunday, on the concluding day of the competition held for three days at E Zone in Dubai. The Oman team was represented by Omar bin Khalid al Hamidi and Al Zubair bin Mohammed al Balushi, under coach Mohammed bin Motaz bin Mohammed.
Omani Swimmer Mishal Salim snatched bronze in 100m butterfly on Sunday, while the Qatar's Mohamed Aziz won the gold, and his teammate claimed the bronze. Mohamed Khamis finished fifth in the 50m backstroke, Maath Qasim was ranked fifth in 100m backstroke and Oman team finished fifth in 4x100 medley.
Amer bin Ali, Oman swimming coach, said, “the national team’s swimmers performed well in light of the strong competition witnessed in all races. We hope that will be good improvement and serve to achieve more medals in the coming days.”
Oman won a silver in the golf team category at the conclusion of the competition on Sunday, which witnessed the participation of five Gulf teams. Omani players were able to compete well and maintained second place in the overall standings, by achieving 102 shots above average, while the UAE won the gold medal with 220 shots above average, and the Saudi claimed bronze medal after collecting 157 points above average.
The Oman golf squad include Adam bin Masoud al Barwani, Mahir Sampat, Pransh Jagwani, Muhib bin Jamil al Kathiri, Masoud bin Abdullah al Barwani, team official and Ahmed bin Faisal al Jahdhami, technical member.
Ahmed al Jahdhami, Secretary-General of Oman Golf Association, said: “The team succeeded in adding a medal to Oman’s tally, our players performed well we aspired to win more medals, but the hosts had the advantage.”
“We appreciate the Oman Olympic Committee efforts, as well as the efforts of the organising committee in Abu Dhabi in facilitating all the tasks. We promise for more achievements and medals in upcoming participation in age categories," he added.
The Oman fencing team arrived in the UAE on Sunday, to take part in the Games. The fencing competitions will continue for two days, Monday and Tuesday, at Zayed Sports Complex in Fujairah, the technical meeting was held on Saturday to discuss the competition schedules and technical rules.
Oman are participating with eight players led by coached Hisham Karshoud and Haitham Balsaud. The list of players includes Israa bint Saif al Siyabiyah, Ahmed bin Anwar Kaskas, Saeed bin Khaled al Shuaibi, Ali bin Hamad al Busaidy, Ammar bin Mohammed al Azizi, Jana bint Mohammed al Sharijiyah, Salma bint Saeed al Daghishiyah and Ghazal bint Youssef al Falitiyah. Omani referee Omar al Harithy is also among the fencing referees.
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