Inaugural Gulf Youth Games Begin At Dubai Opera With A Focus On Unity And Sustainability
The first Gulf Youth Games UAE 2024 is set to commence with a grand opening ceremony at the Dubai Opera on Tuesday. This inaugural event, under the banner "Our Gulf is One... Our youth are promising," will see 3,500 athletes from across the region compete in 24 sports until May 2. The opening ceremony will focus on sustainability, unity, and the vibrancy of youth, incorporating advanced technologies and artificial intelligence to create an inclusive and innovative experience.
As the Games progress, the UAE has emerged as a frontrunner, amassing a total of 155 medals by the end of day six. The nation's athletes have shown exceptional prowess, particularly in windsurfing, which contributed significantly to their medal tally with 11 new medals (5 gold, 2 silver, 4 bronze). This brings their total to 53 gold, 57 silver, and 45 bronze medals. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait follow in the medal count, with Saudi Arabia securing second place with 54 medals and Kuwait in third with 57 medals.
The UAE's chess teams have also made remarkable strides at the Sharjah Chess and Cultural Club. In the rapid chess tournament, UAE's under-18 female players dominated the podium with Rawda Al Sarkal taking first place, followed by Fatima Saif Al Ali and Ahlam Rashid. The under-14 category saw Anoud Issa clinching victory, with Shamma Khalfan Al Suwaidi and Ohoud Issa securing second and third places respectively. Among the boys, Abdul Rahman Al-Taher led the U-18 category, with Khaled Al-Jamaat topping the U-14 group.
Abdul Malik Jani, President of the UAE Triathlon Federation, expressed his pride in the UAE's role as hosts. He highlighted the significance of the event in promoting sports among youth and fostering a spirit of competition. The triathlon races are eagerly anticipated, with events scheduled at Al Zorah Beach and near the Police Sports and Shooting Club in Ajman.
Obaid Zayed Al-Anazi, Vice President of the International Federation and President of the Asian Judo Federation, emphasized the Gulf Youth Games' importance in nurturing future sports stars in the Arab Gulf region. He called for collaboration among Gulf Olympic Federations to build a unified vision for future tournaments.
Mohammed Bu Khater, Vice President of the UAE Boxing Federation, confirmed that preparations for the boxing competition are complete. The event is set to be a highlight of the Games, showcasing young talent under the supervision of the Asian Boxing Confederation.
The Gulf Youth Games UAE 2024 not only serves as a platform for young athletes to showcase their skills but also as a testament to the region's commitment to sports as a means of fostering unity, progress, and prosperity.
With inputs from WAM
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