Latest news with #GCCSwimmingChampionships
Observer
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Oman bag two medals at GCC swimming tourneys
MUSCAT, JULY 13 Oman's swimmers concluded their campaign at the 29th edition of the GCC Swimming Championships with a silver and a bronze medal. The gulf event which was hosted at Khalifa Sports Complex in Bahrain during July 11–13 saw standout performances by Omani swimmers including: Hussain Taha, who earned silver in the 200 metres Singles Medley, and Ali al Hassani, who clinched bronze in the 100 metre Freestyle. Their achievements were notable given the fierce competition and unexpected decision to eliminate age group categories just few days before the event began by the organisers. Bahrain topped the overall medal table with 42 medals including 19 gold, followed by Saudi Arabia with 55 medals including 12 gold, and Kuwait with 25 medals including seven gold. Oman finished with two medals including one silver and one bronze. Several participating nations, including Oman, expressed strong dissatisfaction with the sudden decision to cancel all age-based categories, converting the entire event to an open focusing on senior category format. This late change put younger swimmers, such as Oman's squad which was comprising athletes aged between 13 to 17 at a competitive disadvantage, as they had to compete against seasoned swimmers aged 24 and above. Qatar and the UAE teams withdrawal from the championship and this impacted significantly on the competitive balance and technical level of the event. Oman's coaching staff had initially prepared their athletes for age-group contests, including domestic and overseas camps. Despite the faced challenges, Oman team swimmers delivered top performances as Hussain Taha narrowly missed podium finishes in multiple events but secured silver in the 200 metres Singles Medley with a strong technical show. The national team swimmer Ali al Hassani performed strongly in the 100 metre Freestyle as he captured bronze and nearly challenging for higher honors. The 4x800 metre relay team comprised from Ali al Hassani, Hussain Taha, Mohammed al Wahaibi, and Khalil al Hassani, finished fourth, narrowly missing out on a medal due to the experience and age of rival teams. Other swimmers such as Mohammed al Wahaibi, Hamed al Hassani, and Mohammed al Farsi also competed in various distances with strong effort, often placing in the top six despite the tough field.
Daily Tribune
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
The 29th GCC Championships begin
It's been over a decade since Bahrain last hosted the GCC Swimming Championships — but this weekend, the kingdom makes a grand return. The 29th edition of the regional tournament kicks off today at Khalifa Sports City's indoor pool, bringing together swimmers from across the Gulf for two days of competition. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, and host nation Bahrain will all be represented by male and female swimmers aged 14 and up. They'll race across all four traditional strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly), as well as individual medleys and relays. New Era Now, in 2025, the newly elected Bahrain Aquatics board is organizing its very first swimming event — and starting strong with a full-scale regional championship. 'Tomorrow is the start of something truly special,' said Abdulla Attiya, President of the Bahrain Aquatic Association, who famously completed a 70-kilometre relay swim around the island in April. 'We're building a culture that makes swimming accessible, exciting, and inspiring for everyone. We're here to make swimming fun again.' Attiya emphasized that the success of this event reflects years of grassroots support — from sponsors, national sports leaders, volunteers, and local fans. And for him, it's also a statement to the athletes themselves. 'Believe in yourselves and face challenges with passion and confidence,' he said. 'You are the strength of the homeland and the hope of tomorrow.' Tournament director Abdullah Matar echoed that energy from behind the scenes, highlighting the tireless effort to bring the championship to life. 'The team of the tournament continues to work hard and diligently, focusing on the joint efforts of the youth to ensure that preparations for the championship are raised,' he said. For Matar, the aim isn't just to run a smooth event — it's to raise the bar. 'We work hand in hand as a young, enthusiastic, and dedicated team, committed to achieving success that befits the size of the championship and the position of Bahrain. We are confident that these efforts will result in a distinctive sporting event that will leave a positive footprint on Gulf sports.' Timings Morning sessions start at 9 a.m. and runs until just past 11. Evening heats begin at 5 p.m., wrapping up around 7 p.m. tonight and 8 p.m. tomorrow. Entry is free, and the atmosphere is expected to build as friends, families, and fans fill the stands throughout the weekend.
Daily Tribune
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
GCC Championships Back in Bahrain After 13 Years
TDT | Manama Bahrain is set to host the 2025 GCC Swimming Championships on July 11–12 at Khalifa Sports City Complex. This is the first time the kingdom has staged the event since 2012, bringing a premier Gulf aquatic competition back to home waters after more than a decade. Bahrain Looks to Impress Organised by the Bahrain Swimming Association, the event highlights Bahrain's growing role in regional water sports. Under the leadership of president Abdullah Atiya, the championship aims to show the kingdom's ability to deliver a high-standard competition environment. The GCC Swimming Championships provide a key platform for regional swimmers to compete at a high level and gain vital experience. The event is designed to foster emerging talent and sharpen competitive skills across Gulf nations. Backing from Key Partners The championship benefits from support by major sponsors including Nasser Scientific and Technical Centre, Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC), and Right Calories. Their involvement underlines the importance of collaboration between sports and business in advancing Bahraini swimming.
