Muscat: The 3rd Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Beach Games officially commenced on Saturday in Muscat, Oman, bringing together more than 300 male and female athletes from the six GCC nations: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain.
The grand opening ceremony, held at the Lake Theatre in Qurum Natural Park, was graced by the presence of several prominent Qatari sports officials, including HE Dr. Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, Second Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC); HE Jassim bin Rashid Al Buainain, QOC Secretary-General; and HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid Al-Thani, Director of the QOC’s Sports Affairs Sector. They were joined by presidents of Gulf Olympic committees and senior representatives from the Olympic and sports authorities of GCC member states.
Qatari beach volleyball player Cherif Younousse proudly carried the national flag during the ceremony, which featured vibrant cultural performances reflecting the rich heritage of Oman and the broader Gulf region, underscoring the spirit and unity fostered by the Beach Games.
The tournament includes a wide range of disciplines such as beach soccer, beach handball, beach volleyball, athletics, sailing, open water swimming, air sports (paragliding), and equestrian sports (tent pegging).
Qatar is fielding a delegation of 18 athletes who will compete in beach volleyball, athletics, sailing, open water swimming, and equestrian tent pegging.
Representing Qatar in the sailing events, scheduled from April 5 to 11, are Abdulaziz Al Mahmoud, Khalifa Al Yafei, Youssef Al Ibrahim, Tamim Shams, Thani Shams, and Saad Al Ibrahim.
