Members of Saudi Arabia' s handball team celebrate after winning the competition.

Young Emirati athletes continued their brilliant run at the first Gulf Youth Games UAE 2024. The UAE is currently hosting the inaugural edition of first-ever Gulf Youth Games, under the theme “Our Gulf is One... Our Youth is Promising,”

Kicked off on April 16 and ending on May 2, this event brings together a remarkable 3,500 young athletes, including males and females, competing in a diverse range of 24 sports disciplines.

Emirati athletes are blazing a trail at the Gulf Youth Games!  They have delivered dazzling performances while simultaneously dominating the competition. By the end of day eleven, these rising stars have captured an outstanding 43 per cent of the total medals awarded, a true testament to their skill and athletic prowess.

Strengthening their grip on top spot at the medal tally, the UAE athletes have captured a whopping 194 medals (65 gold, 69 silver, and 60 bronze) so far, of the 448 colored medals awarded in the 16 out of 24 games completed.

Saudi Arabia secured 16% of the total medals, tallying up to 71 medals, with 33 gold, 24 silver, and 14 bronze. Kuwait claimed 65 medals (14%), including 15 gold, 27 silver, and 23 bronze, while Bahrain secured fourth place with 48 medals, making up 10.7% of the total (14 gold, 14 silver, and 20 bronze). Oman followed closely in fifth place with 42 medals (9%), featuring 16 gold, 10 silver, and 16 bronze. Qatar secured sixth place with 28 medals (6%), comprising 12 gold, 6 silver, and 10 bronze.

The UAE’s medal tally grew by three, with two bronze medals secured in the table tennis championship. The youth team secured a well-deserved bronze in the team competition, while the doubles duo of Ali Al-Hawai and Abdullah Al-Hawai also brought home a bronze medal. Additionally, Muhammad Al-Yamahi earned a silver medal by finishing second in triathlon competition.

As the Gulf Youth Games nearing its conclusion, GCC athletes have enjoyed weeks of thrilling competition at the biggest regional stage. Sunday features three events: judo, swimming, and golf, taking place in the capital, Abu Dhabi.

Swimming takes the spotlight as the final act of the Gulf Youth Games, with competitions unfolding at the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club.

Sheikha Rawda Bint Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum crowned the winners of the handball competition held at the Al-Bataeh Cultural and Sports Hall. Saudi Arabia claimed the handball gold. Following closely, the Kuwait national team secured second place, with Bahrain in third, Oman in fourth, and UAE team finishing placing fifth. Qatar concluded the rankings in sixth position.

The Greens secured the championship title by overpowering Qatar 37-17, achieving a perfect record of five wins and 10 points, thus claiming the top spot in the overall standings. Kuwait earned the silver medal after defeating UAE 33-20, bringing their total to eight points. UAE finished in fifth place with two points. Bahraini clinched the bronze medal by defeating Oman 31-24, elevating their total to six points and securing third place in the table, while Oman settled for fourth place with four points.

Mohammed Al Yamahi, a member of the UAE’s national triathlon team, secured a silver medal for the country. Competing in the triathlon event held at Al Zorah Beach in Ajman, Al Yamahi showcased his prowess by swimming 750 meters, biking for 20 kilometers, and running 5 kilometers around the Department of Tourism Development headquarters, completing the course in 1 hour, 9 minutes, and 44 seconds.

His outstanding performance placed him second, with Bahrain’s Abdul Rahman Hassan claiming gold with a time of 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 10 seconds, and his compatriot Ahmed Al-Hallaq securing bronze.

Al Yamahi expressed his joy at contributing to the UAE’s medal tally and emphasized his ambition to strive for gold. However, he acknowledged that stress affected his performance in the final stages of the running segment.

He commended the federation for its unwavering support and providing best resources to aid the athletes in their preparation for the games. Al Yamahi expressed optimism about achieving further success for UAE Triathlon in the upcoming stages.