Alman bags half marathon gold; Algerians dominate table tennis

The fifth day of competitions during the Arab Women Sports Tournament (AWST), organised by Sharjah Women’s Sports (SWS), was marked by fierce contests in volleyball, table tennis and athletics.

UAE runners claimed the half marathon competition, winning both gold and silver medals.

Meanwhile, Algerian athletes dominated the table tennis competitions again.

On Saturday, the athletics competitions kicked off at Al Thiqah Club for Handicapped at 6.30am with the half marathon (21.1km) competition.

Runners at the starting point included Comoros’ Santa Africa Club athlete Hajar Al Zarouni, and Sharjah Women’s Sports Club’s Salha Al Basti and Sara Al Alman, who crossed the finish line in 2:02:55 securing the gold medal. Team-mate Basti completed the race in 2:12:59 securing the silver.

The Santa Africa Club athlete did not complete the race due to an injury.

Bahrain’s Al Ahli Club recovered from Friday’s defeat by Jordan’s De La Salle Club by securing a valuable 101 – 85 win against Syria’s Taldara Club in a thrilling 4-set match held at SWS.

In the second game of the day, Algeria’s Le Groupement Sportif des Petroliers scored an impressive win over Jordan’s De La Salle Club, with 3 sets to zero. The score at the end of the match stood at 75-44.

With a well-deserved win in their last game, the Egyptian Sporting Sports Club appear determined to take the volleyball title back home for the second time in a row.

Their game against Princess Nora University Club on Friday evening was another step towards their goal as they dominated the match from the beginning.

It ended with an easy 3-0 set win for the Egyptians, with a 75 – 24 final score.

Basketball competitions continued on Fruday with Bahrain’s Al Riffa Sports taking on Syria’s Al Sahel Sports Club. The closely fought game went to extra time with Al Sahel Sports Club winning the game by 3 points, with a final score of 50 - 47.

In the second match on Friday, Kuwait’s Al Fatat Sports Club took on Elite Athletes Club from KSA. The game ended 90 – 66 in favour of the Kuwaiti team.

Meanwhile, the match between Alegria’s Le Groupement Sportif des Petroliers and UAE’s Sharjah Women’s Sports Club held on Friday, saw the Algerian players dominate the game with a final score of 81 – 60.

On Saturday, Algerian players once again topped the table tennis matches with Kateba Kasasi clinching the gold medal in the table tennis individual competitions held at SWS. Fellow teammate Mleesa Nasiri secured the silver medal. The bronze went to Moroccan Enas Otola.

The 5th edition of the tournament concludes on Feb.12.

Being held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjahand Chairperson of the Sharjah Women Sports (SWS), the Arab Women Sports Tournament (AWST), is organised by the Sharjah Women Sports (SWS) in partnership with the UAE Sports Council, Sharjah Sports Council and the Union of Arab National Olympic Committees.