Members of UAE handball team take part in a training session.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The countdown has begun for the inaugural edition of the Gulf Youth Games, a multi-sport event featuring 3,500 male and female athletes from across the GCC.

The games, held under the theme "Our Gulf is One... Our Youth Are Promising," will take place from April 16 to May 2, 2024.

Various sports federations are in the final stages of preparing their athletes for this historic event. Training camps are in full swing across different emirates, with hopes high for the athletes to make their mark and forge a new sporting legacy for the region.

The Dubai Opera will host the opening ceremony on April 23, promising a blend of artistic performances and technological marvels, including the integration of artificial intelligence.

In handball, the UAE national team, comprising 2006-born athletes, gearing up for the competition. Under the guidance of coach Khaled Ahmed Al Balushi and his assistants Ibrahim Al Amiri and Tariq Al Balushi, rigorous training sessions are underway, with friendly matches scheduled from March 28 onwards to fine-tune their skills.

The initial squad of 18 players, including Hamad Saif Al Oud, Abdullah Al Obeidli; Ibrahim Al Ashar, Omar Al Salman, Abdul Rahman Al Balushi; Hamdan Al Nuaimi; Mansour Obaid Al Qars from Sharjah; Musa Al Aswad, Omar Al Balushi; Abdullah Al Badawi from Shabab Al Ahli; Rashid Al Muheiri from Al Wasl; Khalifa Al Hammadi from Al Bataeh; Al Hussein Al Shadadi and Al Hassan Al Shadadi; Abu Bakr Al Jaberi from Al Jazira; Khaled Al Saadi from Al Ain; Mohammed Saeed; and Nasser Al Safar from Al Nasr, is set to represent the UAE.

Nasser Al Hammadi, Secretary General of the Handball Federation, emphasizes the importance of these preparations, leading up to a final camp in Sharjah a week before the tournament.

Hammadi revealed that, since March, the national team has been holding a series of preparatory camps to select players for the final squad. He said three such camps have already taken place. A final list of players will be announced soon by the technical staff, narrowed down from the initial group that was previously announced.

Meanwhile, in paddle tennis, preparations have been ongoing since January under the leadership of technical director Sergio Ricardo and coach Javi Lopez. Local tournaments serve as crucial platforms for talent identification, with the best 12 players selected to represent the UAE across various age categories in the Gulf Games.

Omar Sharif Al Marzouqi, head of the Paddle Tennis Technical Committee for the Gulf Games, reassured everyone that preparations are on track.

“The plan, established in January, encompasses not only the ongoing training programme but also the national team's participation in various local tournaments. This includes their involvement in the ongoing Nad Al Sheba Sports (NAS) Tournament,” he added.

He confirmed the team will consist of four players each from the U-14, U-16, and U-18 age groups.

Marzouqi, overseeing the paddle tennis preparations, outlines the meticulous planning underway, including an internal camp at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex.

He expresses optimism for the team's performance, reflecting the UAE's growing enthusiasm for paddle tennis.

As anticipation builds for the Gulf Games, both the handball and paddle tennis teams are poised to showcase their skills and make their nation proud on the regional sporting stage.

Soaring high with ambition! The Gulf Youth Games organizing committee recently unveiled its mascot: a falcon in a spacesuit.

This symbol reflects the boundless determination and innovative spirit of young athletes. It's a nod to the UAE's achievements in space exploration, reminding everyone to dream big and reach for the stars.