MUSCAT: HH Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, inaugurated the 10th GCC Universities Sports Tournament at the Cultural Centre of Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) on Sunday. The tournament, hosted by SQU, will run until January 24, uniting 16 universities from across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
The opening ceremony was a vibrant showcase of Gulf unity, featuring speeches from the GCC Secretariat-General and the university, captivating folk arts performances, a Gulf music medley, the entry parade of participating teams and a short film titled Our Gulf is Our Pride. HH Sayyid Theyazin’s presence underscored the Omani government’s commitment to nurturing youth talent and fostering regional cooperation.
The tournament’s slogan, Our Gulf is Our Pride, encapsulates the spirit of camaraderie and cultural solidarity among GCC students. It emphasises the dual goals of athletic competition and the promotion of values, ethics and a shared sense of belonging to a unified Gulf identity.
The tournament features 555 participants competing in athletics, swimming, football, three-a-side basketball, volleyball, badminton and table tennis. Events are hosted across premier venues, including Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Seeb Sports Stadium and the Military Technical College.
Dr Raya bint Salem al Mandhariyah, Dean of Student Affairs and Head of the Tournament’s Main Committee, highlighted the event’s significance:
“At the heart of Sultan Qaboos University, where ambitious minds meet renewed energies, this tournament transcends being just a sporting event. It builds bridges of brotherhood, fosters teamwork and shapes students into disciplined, responsible individuals capable of facing life’s challenges.”
Dr Raya emphasised how individual sports like swimming and athletics develop focus and planning skills, while team sports like football and volleyball enhance collaboration and unity. These attributes prepare students to excel academically, professionally and socially.
The participating universities include prestigious institutions such as King Saud University, Hamad bin Khalifa University, Qatar University, United Arab Emirates University and Sultan Qaboos University (host).
The football matches opened with high energy as Sultan Qaboos University triumphed over Doha University of Science and Technology, 3-0. Other highlights included a 6-1 win for the University of Technology and Applied Sciences over Kuwait University and Jazan University’s commanding 7-0 victory against Hamdan Bin Khalifa University.
The tournament is managed by a supervisory committee featuring representatives from multiple universities and the GCC Secretariat-General, ensuring a seamless event. Committees oversee technical aspects and player eligibility, reflecting a collaborative effort across the GCC education sector.
The 10th GCC Universities Sports Tournament continues a proud tradition of fostering sportsmanship and unity among students, serving as a platform for youth empowerment and inter-university cooperation. As participants strive for excellence, they embody the values of shared heritage and Gulf solidarity.
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