Muscat: Oman’s national teams continued their fine showing at the fourth GCC Sports Games in Doha, doubling their medal haul and moving to fourth place in the overall standings with 20 medals.
The Sultanate of Oman added six new medals on the fifth day of competition, including one gold, two silver and three bronze medals, through athletics and shooting. The latest achievement reflects the strong technical level shown by Oman’s athletes and the steady progress of the national teams across different sports, with hopes high for more podium finishes before the Games conclude on May 22.
The national athletics team once again delivered a strong performance, winning four medals on the second day of the athletics competition. Oman’s men’s 4x100m relay team, comprising Ali al Balushi, Mulham al Balushi, Rashid al Asmi and Mohammed al Saadi, clinched the gold medal after an impressive run.
The women’s 4x100m relay team also produced a commendable display, with Azza al Yaarubi, Mazoon al Alawi, Hana al Qasmi and Alia al Mughairi securing the silver medal. Hana al Qasmi added another medal for Oman by winning bronze in the women’s 400m, while Ahmed al Abdulsalam claimed bronze in the men’s 400m.
Oman’s shooting team opened its campaign with two medals on the first day of shooting events. Salim al Naabi won silver in the men’s 10m air rifle event following a strong contest with leading Gulf shooters. The women’s 10m air rifle team, represented by Safa al Jabri, Al Anood al Khalili and Amina al Tarshi, secured the bronze medal.
The latest medals added to Oman’s earlier achievements in the Games. The athletics team had begun its campaign with four medals — three gold and one silver. Mazoon al Alawi won gold in the women’s long jump, while Fatik Bait Jaboub claimed gold in the men’s high jump. In the men’s 100m, Ali al Balushi captured gold, while his team-mate Mulham al Balushi took silver.
Oman’s fencing team also made a valuable contribution with five medals. Israa al Siyabi starred for the national team by winning two gold medals in the foil and épée events. The three bronze medals were won by Ali al Busaidy in foil, and Ahmed al Kaskas and Al Harith al Harthy in épée.
The taekwondo team added five medals to Oman’s tally, led by Fidaa al Barwani, who won gold in the 49 kg category. Bronze medals went to Nibras al Touqi in the 58 kg category, Omaima al Hinai in the 49 kg category, Mohammed al Hajri in the 80 kg category and Shabib al Sinani in the 68 kg category.
GOOD PROGRESS BY ATHLETES
National athletics coach Hamood al Dalhami said Oman’s results at the Games were honourable and reflected the progress made by the athletes. He noted that the athletics team had opened its campaign with three gold medals and one silver before adding four more medals on the second day.
“These results give the athletes a strong motivation to continue performing well in the remaining competitions,” he said, adding that the GCC Games represent the team’s first international participation of the season.
Al Dalhami praised the level of competition, particularly in the 100m race and high jump, where Gulf athletes produced strong performances. He highlighted Fatik Bait Jaboub’s gold medal in the high jump, shared with Qatar’s Olympic champion Mutaz Barshim, as a result that confirms the ability of Omani athletes to compete strongly at Gulf and international levels.
Fahad al Mashaikhi, national athletics coach, praised the organisation of the Games, describing it as excellent. He thanked the Oman Olympic Committee for allowing the Oman Athletics Association to take part in the event, saying the athletes had shown discipline, determination and a strong sense of responsibility.
Al Mashaikhi also said sprinter Ali al Balushi is following a long-term preparation plan aimed at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. He added that Ali’s previous qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics was an important step, and the next target is to compete at a higher level and reach advanced stages.
POSITIVE START
Lt Col Musallam al Subhi, manager of Oman’s national shooting team, said winning two medals on the opening day of the shooting competition was a positive start. He said the men’s 10m air rifle event was highly competitive, and Oman came very close to gold.
Silver medallist Salim al Naabi expressed his delight with the achievement, saying the medal would motivate him to perform better in the remaining events. “We are happy with this silver medal, which came after continuous effort and preparation. Our ambition now is to fight for gold in the coming competitions,” he said.
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