The 3rd Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Beach Games kicked off on Saturday in Muscat, Oman, featuring over 300 male and female athletes representing the six Gulf states. The grand event was attended by high-ranking officials from the Olympic committees and sports authorities of the GCC member states. The games marked the culmination of years of hard work and dedication by the athletes, coaches, and organizers. The event served as a platform for the athletes to showcase their skills, display their national pride, and promote unity and sportsmanship among the nations. **The GCC Beach Games: A Celebration of Unity and Sportsmanship**
The GCC Beach Games featured beach soccer, beach handball, beach volleyball, athletics, sailing, open water swimming, air sports, and equestrian sports, demonstrating the diversity and richness of sports in the region. The games comprised of 18 events, showcasing the talent and abilities of the athletes.
- Beach Soccer
- Beach Handball
- Beach Volleyball
- Athletics
- Sailing
- Open Water Swimming
- Air Sports (Paragliding)
- Equestrian Sports (Tent Pegging)
- Beach Volleyball
- Athletics
- Sailing
- Open Water Swimming
- Tent Pegging
The games were held at the Qurum Natural Park’s Lake Theatre, which provided a unique and picturesque setting for the event. The venue was decorated with art shows that demonstrated the cultural identity of Oman and the Gulf, epitomizing the spirit of these games and their value in sport. During the opening ceremony, the Qatari beach volleyball team’s player, Cherif Younousse, held the Qatari flag aloft, symbolizing the country’s pride and national identity. The event was attended by high-ranking officials, including HE the Second Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, Dr. Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, HE Secretary-General of the Qatar Olympic Committee, Jassim bin Rashid Al Buainain, and HE Director of the Qatar Olympic Committee’s Sports Affairs Sector, Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid Al-Thani. The games are considered an excellent opportunity for the athletes to compete, learn, and grow, while promoting unity and sportsmanship among the nations. The GCC Beach Games are a testament to the region’s commitment to sports development and the promotion of Olympic values.
“The GCC Beach Games are a celebration of unity and sportsmanship, and we are proud to host this event in Muscat, Oman.”
These games are a unique opportunity for the athletes to showcase their skills, display their national pride, and promote unity and sportsmanship among the nations. Key Highlights
• The GCC Beach Games featured over 300 male and female athletes representing the six Gulf states. • The games comprised beach soccer, beach handball, beach volleyball, athletics, sailing, open water swimming, air sports, and equestrian sports.
• Beach Volleyball: A team sport played on a sand court with two teams of six players each. • Open Water Swimming: A swimming event that takes place in a natural or man-made body of water, such as a lake or ocean. • Tent Pegging: A horse riding competition where riders must use a lance to hit a target while riding at high speeds. The Qatar sailing team, which will represent Qatar in the upcoming GCC Beach Games 2025 in Muscat, Oman, consists of six athletes: Abdulaziz Al Mahmoud, Khalifa Al Yafei, Youssef Al Ibrahim, Tamim Shams, Thani Shams, and Saad Al Ibrahim. These athletes will represent Qatar in the sailing competitions slated from April 5 to 11, 2025.
